goodnight, john boy

Do not fear failure.

2012-01-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

How I've tried to live my life, as well as being the fortune from my cookie tonight:
"Do not fear failure"

St. Vincent (Annie Clark)

2012-01-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

TRACK LISTING:
Chloe In The Afternoon
Surgeon
Strange Mercy
Year Of The Tiger

4AD SESSIONS

In September of this year (2011), St Vincent took a giant leap forward with the release of third album, Strange Mercy. This time out Annie Clark was to combine her long-celebrated musical virtuosity with ambitious songwriting that ran a gamut of emotional cadences, all the while underpinned by a colourful sense of melody.

Wow. I love this.

Done

2012-01-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

Today the Superior Court of California officially entered a judgment of dissolution of marriage and restored me to the status of unmarried person. Not sure how I should feel.

Found a somewhat fitting song for the occasion from St. Vincent, Marry Me. If you know anything about me, you know I have a twisted and fairly dark sense of humor.

Marry me, John
Marry me, John I'll be so good to you
You won't realize I'm gone

Marry me, John
Marry me, John I'll be so sweet to you
You won't realize I'm gone
You won't realize I'm gone

Many people wanna make money make love
make friends make peace with death
But most mainly want to win the game they came to win
they want to come out ahead
But you you're a rock with a heart like a socket I can plug into at will
And will you guess when I come around next
I hope your open sign is blinking still

So Marry me, John
Marry me, John I'll be so good to you
You won't realize I'm gone
You won't realize I'm gone

As for me I have to agree I'm as fickle as a paper doll
being kicked by the wind when I touch down again I'll be in someone elses arms

Oh, John c'mon we'll do what married people do
Oh, John c'mon we'll do what Mary and Joseph did without the kid

So Marry me, John
Marry me, John I'll be so good to you
You won't realize I'm gone
You won't realize I'm gone

That pretty much sums it up.

2012-01-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Good Riddance

2011-12-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

2011 you will not be missed.

Lost in the year 2011:

Grandmother

Cousin

Marriage

Forty-five pounds

Tips for living alone:

2011-12-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

1. Do not hard boil eggs while you are ill and tired.
2. Make sure the batteries work in your smoke detector.

Result of ignoring tip #1 but not tip #2:
You forget you put two eggs in boiling water and doze off. All the water boils away and the pan begins to smoke and sets off smoke alarm, which alerts you. Luckily the only mess needing to be cleaned is the exploded eggs that are now splattered all over the walls and cabinets of the kitchen.

Oh, and the smell, don't forget the horrendous smell.

Satisfaction

2011-09-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

As you might have guessed, due to my disappearance once again, the fall semester started in late August. The job is challenging and often demanding, but at the end of the day very satisfying. Not a lot of people can say that about how they spend their day. I'm pretty lucky.

My friend posted this video about motivation in regard to her profession in the medical field. She was commenting on how higher paid specialist are usually less satisfied with their income than lower paid general practice physicians. More income is not always the source of higher satisfaction in your work.

It also relates nicely to the satisfaction experienced by professors, like me, who love their work. Autonomy, mastery and purpose in the workplace are great motivators for success and satisfaction. If you are in it primarily for the money, it will never be enough.

Hmm, I think this may also answer my dilemma about becoming a dean. I once thought this would be my next move, but the longer I teach, the less clear this becomes. I'm realizing, although I believe I could be a very good dean, that I would be sacrificing many of the things that make my current profession very satisfying and rewarding, in exchange for a higher salary. It's true, it's not always about the money. A friend once said to me, "How much would they have to pay you to give up your dreams?"

Cleanliness is Next to...

2011-08-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have finally completed a summer-long project of cleaning and renovating the master bathroom. This bathroom is located down a corridor from the master bedroom. There's really no reason to go down there unless you are using that bathroom, which I hadn't for years. My bathroom is off the main hallway before entering the bedroom.

So when I finally got a good look at the bathroom again after it was vacated last semester, I was, to say the least, a bit dismayed by its condition. I don't even want to think about the number of hours and dollars spent in the process of scrubbing, scraping, bleaching, patching, painting, repairing and replacing items over the last few months. I probably should have taken before and after photos, because no one will believe me, but it was just too depressing to document. I am just glad this project is done.

The renovated room looks even better than when I first moved in. It's now a bit like a nice hotel bathroom ready for guests. It was actually the arrival of guests that played a big part in pushing me through the final days of the project. My parents, both sisters, and niece and nephew all came for a visit on very short notice. It was a mad, frantic dash to get it all done before they arrived.

On reflection, I wasn't sure which bad title to use for this post. The absurdity of the situation led to some equally ridiculous possibilities.

Wax on, wax off.

Zen and the Art of Bathroom Maintenance.

The Land of the Lost.

The many hours of scrubbing became part of my summer workout program. Day after day of the same action to make small incremental progress toward the final goal. Too bad there wasn't the side benefit of defeating the town bullies while winning the championship, the girl, and the respect of Mr. Miyagi.

I tried to maintain some balance and perspective during the process by staying focussed in the moment of the action at hand, rather than why it was now even necessary to be doing any of this. As with all actions, if you are going to take the time and energy to act, strive to act with the utmost quality. If you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Take pride in not only the end result, but in each step of the process along the way.

But I am human, so I must admit that at times it seemed as if I may never be able to leave here. I often felt frustrated in the realization of what else I might have been able to accomplish this summer, if not for the time ~~lost~~ redirected to this project.

I sincerely apologize to any fans of Pat Morita or Robert Pirsig, not so much to fans of Enik and Cha-Ka.

Cold Coffee

2011-08-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

Ed Sheeran, Cold Coffee, 2010

Where's the beef?

2011-07-31T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am ready for my shipment of a quarter of beef.

Every couple of years I go in with my parents and sisters to buy a cow raised by the family. It's more affordable, we get a higher quality and leaner cut than you usually find in a market, and we know the exact source of the meat. Do you want the cows name?

I don't eat beef everyday, or for that matter even any type of meat, so one-fourth of a cow lasts a single person quite a while. With the last one, due to a lack of freezer space, I stored mine at my parents house. Each time I would go home for a visit or they would come to my place, we'd fill an ice chest to replenish my supply.

This time I decided to buy my own small freezer for the garage. It's only 5.1 cubic feet, and isn't frost free, but it is an upright, so I can see everything in it rather than digging to the bottom of a chest freezer. I picked it up yesterday from Sears. I think it will work well.

My barbecue is definitely going to get a workout.

Loss

2011-07-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Every human being must find his own way to cope with severe loss, and the only job of a true friend is to facilitate whatever method he chooses. - Caleb Carr

Loss of loved ones is always heart wrenching and difficult to handle. It's part of life and you know it will happen, but you still really can't be completely prepared for the moment. I of course have lost family and friends. No matter how long it has been since the loss, thinking about them brings back the pain and sadness created by their absence. The loss of my maternal grandmother earlier this year still brings me to tears.

Most loss comes from incidents that are seen as out of your control, old age, disease, accidents; such as the heart attacks, cancer and Parkinson's disease that claimed the lives of my grandparents, or the car accident that took my cousin Bobby much too young, just 18, one year older than I was. My paternal grandmother suffered a heart attack the day after my cousin's death, several years later my paternal grandfather suffered a stroke that eventually took his life through related health complications, my maternal grandfather lost his heroic fight against cancer, and recently my maternal grandmother was released from her many years of suffering the effects of Parkinson's disease. The loss of each of my four grandparents and my cousin were of course all hard to cope with, but I could eventually get my head around each loss as uncontrollable aspects of the process of life.

This week I lost another cousin, Mark. I'm just at the beginning of the mourning process, dealing with the shock of the loss, and coping with why it happened. The funeral is not until next week, with its subsequent sharing of happy memories about my cousin with family and friends, for me an important part of the grieving process.

But this time different questions about life and death will be asked. The mourning process will be the same, but the shock and coping with the loss I believe will be different. You see, this loss came at my cousin's own hands.

We are all at a loss to understand why this happened. Why someone who brought so much to the world would want to leave. We may never truly know why. I hope his pain and suffering has ended, but I know it has only began for his family. I ache with sadness for his parents and siblings. It is beyond my comprehension.

The Non-Anniversary

2011-07-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

So, what do you do on an anniversary that is no longer your anniversary?

The Beta Band, Dry the Rain, 1998

Bauhaus, The Passion of Lovers, 1981

Update: My answer was to spend the day at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and then treat myself to a nice dinner in Santa Monica. A contemplative day.

That Step Is A Doozy

2011-07-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

Today I came across this quote attributed to William Shakespeare, "Be great in act, as you have been in thought." I've always enjoyed how a phrase that can seem so simple on first reading can then become more complex upon the second.

Pretty straight forward, right? Follow through on your thoughts with action. Or more specifically, your actions should be as great as your thoughts. Assuming your thoughts were great in the first place and warrant being acted upon. But then again, that "as" in the middle kind of gives you an out doesn't it? Your actions only have to be as great as your thoughts have been. So, I guess if you don't exert much energy in deep contemplation and reflection, you can act in just as minimal a fashion. Hmm, I guess it might all become relative. Okay, that became a bit muddled ;)

Although when I read that quote, I like to see it as a type of challenge. The challenge to overcome the fear of acting upon your thoughts. You may spend hours, days, years, contemplating a question or situation, trying to find the best solution for yourself. But what if the solution isn't easy? What if acting upon your thoughts, no matter how great or correct they might be, will cause conflict or unhappiness or risk the current stability of the status quo? Will you be able to act boldly, to overcome the fear of the unknown, to do what you know must be done?

Well, I guess that is the deeper point here. First, are you able or willing to listen to your thoughts and do the hard work of questioning your decisions? And, second, are you fearless enough to then act, to take the necessary risk, to make the needed changes in your life? It is when you are willing to listen to yourself and be fearless that figuring out and then taking your next step becomes possible. When you are able to overcome fear, then you can begin to view that next step into the unknown with excitement and anticipation. To be great in act.

Finally An Adult

2011-07-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I became a man. I took a step that separates the adults from the children, the men from the boys. Time to put on the big boy pants and move to the table with the adults.

I bought my own watch.

I realized that every quality wristwatch that I have owned in my life has been given to me as a gift. Most by women who I have dated.

When I say "quality" I'm distinguishing a precision time piece in black, silver or gold that contains metal and glass, from a bright colored piece of plastic, such as my 1980s Swatch collection.

Most of my watches have been silver or black, since I'm not a fan of wearing gold. But my various fashion consultants have continually pointed out over the years that when I am wearing clothing and accessories in the brown color family, I should be wearing a gold watch, not black or silver.

Well, I think I've finally found an acceptable solution to my aversion for wearing gold. I bought a big, bulky, stainless steel, dial-strewn, manly, BROWN watch.

Anyone need a large ice chest and 40 pounds of ice?

2011-07-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

Tonight I opened my refrigerator to prepare dinner and noticed condensation building on some of the food. I opened the freezer and things felt a bit damp. Not good. Refrigerator must be broken.

I turned the setting down to see if the motor would kick on. I waited but nothing happened. So now I'm looking at my watch realizing I need to make a decision quickly. It's too late to get it repaired or to go buy a new one. If the refrigerator is broken, I'm going to need some place to store all the food and a lot of ice and everything in town will be closing in minutes. I didn't have time to waste.

I jump in the car and race downtown to buy the largest ice chest I can find and 40 pounds of ice. I have a lot of meat in the freezer that I don't want to lose. Hopefully this ice chest will be large enough. I have a smaller collapsable ice chest that should be enough for some of the perishables in the refrigerator.

I rush home, lug all this into my place, and open the freezer to start pulling out the meat. I'm instantly greeted by a blast of frozen air as the refrigerator kicks in on high. Everything is frozen well and seems to be working. WTF.

So, I don't know what was happening there. Was it really so hot today that the refrigerator just got overloaded? I'll keep an eye on it, likely on its last leg. Anyway, I guess it was better to be over prepared than not. But now with this big ice chest filled with ice, I feel like I should have everyone over for a barbecue.

Body and Mind

2011-07-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
- Andy Warhol

Maintaining mental and physical balance in your life is always a challenge. If it weren't, then there likely wouldn't be a million books on the topic. Not that any of these books have a solution or that I read any of them, but they are out there taking up much more shelf space at your local bookstore than all the books on the arts, for example.

I tend to swing from one extreme to the other. Portions of my life have been dominated by physical activity where little mental energy needed to be exerted to maintain, while other times have been lived almost exclusively in my mind while my body became a necessary evil for moving my head from place to place. Of course, somewhere in the middle would likely be a bit more productive and healthy for both the body and the mind.

Before graduate school I may have actually had a better balance, although at the time I felt I needed more mental rigor in my life. I had a variety of jobs, from working on the family farm, waiting tables, unloading trucks at loading docks, banking, internships at museums and galleries, while taking college courses part-time and creating art. In retrospect, not a bad mix of physical and mental exertion. Not a bad life when you're in your twenties, but not fulfilling for the long run, hence finally becoming serious about college.

As you might imagine, as an academic, life tends to demand more of your mind than your body. Since starting graduate school and now as a professor, nearly all of my efforts have gone towards developing my mind. To assist in handling the mental demands I also started meditating, which, of course, is another mental activity, but an important one. Meditation brought a much needed calmness and balance to my graduate-school years. It also ended a lifetime of migraine headaches. But, sadly, after graduate school I let the demands of a full-time job and a full-time relationship bring my meditation practice almost to an end.

The last six years as a full-time professor have by far been the most extreme imbalance. The focus of succeeding at a career and providing for a wife became all consuming. The short-term goals of each month, each semester tended to drown out the "bigger picture" goals that had usually guided me before.

I stopped my regular meditation practice, I stopped exercising, I did not return to creating art, and I neglected completing my dissertation for the PhD. My mind took the brunt of the abuse, as I became more myopic, but physically the neglect had also taken its toll, as I gained forty pounds. I was now living almost exclusively in my mind in an attempt to accomplish what I thought needed to be done to sustain a successful home life and a rewarding career. Well, clearly, that didn't quite work out.

As I mentioned in prior posts, some reorienting was desperately needed. I needed to find that balance again. I planned to make some small changes, adjustments, nothing dramatic. But, of course, the various aspects of one's life are intimately connected. When you start looking closely at one area, you start noticing other areas that might also need a little work.

During the holidays with my family, my mother had inspired me to be more mindful of my health. She had just lost forty pounds, was working out and felt great. I started her regiment and over the course of the spring semester lost the forty pounds I had gained. I also started working out again and this summer am participating in a fitness program at the college with the team athletic trainer. It's kicking my ass, but I'm in the best physical condition since I was about twenty-three years old.

This summer I also started back with a regular meditation practice. I've had to start slow with only 10-20 minute sessions (I was doing 2 hours in graduate school), but the focus and clarity are starting to return. My return to writing here on this blog, I believe, is also helping with relocating that clarity of mind and possibly even purpose. The balance of regular physical and mental practice once again feels good.

As I also mentioned before, I canceled my summer travel plans and gave my summer courses away, in order to focus on completing my long-neglected dissertation. To be completely honest with myself, the writing process has been much slower than hoped. I need to keep reminding myself that any progress is good, but I want, and really need, this project to me done. It has been an excuse for almost every neglect and imbalance in my life. No more, "I'll return to that / do that / start that when I'm finished with the dissertation." It's gone on too long. It needs to stop now.

How Not to Start a Conversation with a Professor

2011-07-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

A student left a message on my office phone today asking about art history classes. She said she was done with her "hard classes" and now was ready to take her "easy classes". Well, then you definitely don't want to take any of my classes. I've brought enough "hard classes" majors to tears to know you really don't want to come in with the attitude that this is going to be one of those "easy classes". It's an awakening I'm happy to give.

The Portuguese Festa

2011-07-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I met my family for the Portuguese Festa in Monterey, California.

A brief history of the origins of the festa:

This religious practice originates with Queen Saint Isabel, daughter of the king of Aragon, who was married to young monarch, Diniz, in Portugal. She was known for her religiousity and compassionate heart, constantly serving the poor in their circumstantial need. Oftentimes, it is said that the Queen saved bread from her own table to give to the hungry.

Legend has it that the king tried to stop her from mingling with the poor and she was once caught hiding something in her cloak. When he demanded that she opened her cloak to show the concealed food, she said a prayer, and threw open her cloak. Instead of bread, red roses tumbled out. It is for this reason that the statue of Queen Saint Isabel is depicted with a mantle of roses.

At one time during Queen Saint Isabel's reign there was a terrible famine in Portugal. The Queen completed all her funds while seeking food for her people; she had no financial resources left, only her Crown, the symbol of her royal status. One morning at Mass, she promised the Holy Spirit, "I will give my Crown to the church if you send me a miracle, so my people will be relieved of their hunger."

As she left the church, she saw ships coming into the harbor, loaded with wheat and corn! For over 700 years Portuguese people have celebrated this event in the Festa do Espirito Santo or Feast of the Holy Spirit; to intercede in time of danger or calamities.

In remembrance of the acts of Isabel, Portuguese communities throughout California meet each year for a festa. During these events that last several days, hundreds, or even thousands, of people are fed for free by the Portuguese community. There is food, drink, music and dancing, and sometimes a bullfight (bloodless, Velcro-tipped darts aimed at a Velcro shoulder patch on the bull). For many in the community it acts as a type of reunion.

At the center of the festa on Sunday is the parade and crowning of the town's new queen during a Catholic mass. Each town that hosts a festa has a queen and two attendants who represent Queen Isabel (some towns have multiple queens, a big and little queen based on age). During your town's festa the new queen for the year is crowned. Your queen then travels to other towns to participate in their festa parades. Typically the parade passes through the town going between the Portuguese community hall and the local church.

Cape of Stockton queen.

One hundred towns were represented by their queens in the parade in Monterey this week. This year my niece, Lindsay, is an attendant to the queen from Stockton. Both of my sisters were also queen attendants in their youth for Modesto. So, needless to say, I've been to a lot of festas in my life.

My beautiful niece, Lindsay.

In addition to the parade of queens, there are also bands, carts of sweetbread being handed out, and a lot of flags on display. Each city has their town banner accompanied by a Portugal and USA flag. As a young boy traveling through the state to the festas I would look for opportunities to carry flags in the parade (it helped that you were usually given $5 for doing it). This year my nephew, Michael, would have the opportunity to carry flags for his sister as I had for mine.

My nephew, Michael, carrying Stockton's banner at center.

As it turned out they were short some flag carriers and I was asked to carry the Portugal flag in the parade. The last time I did this, I believe, I was 16 years old, which is the current age of my niece and nephew. I definitely was not expecting to carry a flag again after all these years, but it brought back a lot of fun childhood memories and it was nice being able to accompany my nephew and niece in the parade.

Reorienting

2011-07-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Today Atlantis and its four astronauts left Earth for the final space shuttle mission, just over 30 years after that first inspirational launch of Columbia on April 12, 1981. I'll never forget that moment as a twelve-year-old boy. It opened up an entirely new way to view the world for my generation. Well, not just the world, but really everything.

I was born just in time to be held up by my mother to watch the first moon landing, which marked the successful end of my parents' generation's grand space race, but the shuttle was different. The shuttle was a new stage in humanity, less finite, promising infinite possibilities. The shuttle inspired us all in new and unimaginable ways. Now it's over. Now what? What's next?

As with everything in this world, things change, needs, requirements, expectations, abilities. Occasionally we need to step back and reevaluate, reorient, and redirect our focus and resources. Reorienting a space program that might be suffering from a lack of clear direction and, of course as with many things today, a lack of funds, is probably the right choice. Hopefully the lessons learned provide the needed inspiration for the next generation of amazing discovery.

I hope I can say the same for myself. Dramatic change can sometimes leave you little choice but to reorient your focus. But, I believe, your starting perspective may make an important difference. Is the ending of this one phase of a project, or period in a life, seen as a failure or as a lesson learned? How does one approach the reevaluation of outcomes from past choices and actions in order to improve a situation and create the potential for better and even now unimaginable future possibilities? Now What? What's next?

I'm looking forward to finding out. Onward and upward.

[Image above: Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off the launch pad for the final space shuttle mission. Image credit: NASA TV]

Red Flags

2011-07-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

Red flags often come in the form of feelings urging us to pause for a moment, listen to our intuition, and fully consider. I've been pretty good at ignoring these warnings in certain areas of my life. The most prominent, no surprise, is in the arena of relationships. I am not going to go into much detail or touch on many specifics on this topic out of respect for the woman I dearly loved.

So, to go brutally to the point, my marriage failed. I failed. Six years together. This month would have marked our second wedding anniversary. All over now. The divorce court filings are complete, the property is divided, and I am living alone.

I never envisioned myself as a divorced man. I waited a long time in hope of finding the person to share my life with. I thought I had and in many ways still believe I did. But, as in any relationship, it's not always up to you or in your control. Sometimes no matter how much you love someone or how much you give of yourself, it's just not enough.

The red flags were there, but I didn't care, I was in love. The red flags were there slightly peaking out during those early conversations when everything is new and exciting. The red flags were there when we traversed the country to spend those first moments together. The red flags were there when we decided to share a home. The red flags changed or grew or multiplied over time, but I believed we could overcome.

The red flags were there at our beautiful wedding and on our once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, but I believed our marriage would wash them all away. As the optimist, the dreamer, the lover often does, I pushed forward to embrace the hopeful moments and minimize the impact of those mounting red flags. I know I am guilty of avoiding and even ignoring them completely on occasion. I believed I had the best intentions. Those red flags weren't going to stop me, I didn't care, I was in love.

Even though the relationship has ended, I do not regret the last six years. It was filled with wonderful moments that I will always cherish. Yes, the red flags were there, but so was the happiness, joy and love. But sometimes that's just not enough.

Declaring Independence

2011-07-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.
- Charles Bukowski

Every year I contemplate deleting this blog. What role does it still serve? Do I keep it solely because of my nostalgic bent or is there more to this? I have been through a lot here on Goodnight, John Boy. It has been a constant, if inconsistent, chronicle of my post-graduate school life. Moves, job searches, teaching, family, relationships, plans, the ups and the downs, they're all in here.

When I began blogging I was part of a burgeoning community. An online family, if you will, who were always there with a quick show of support or a kick in the ass when needed. But, I assume, like with any family, things change over time. Some slowly faded, others just packed up and left, while many moved to new addresses on Facebook and other social networks. So what am I holding on to here?

I can definitely understand the pull to social network sites like Facebook, I'm there, too. It offers the potential for a similar experience as blogging, but with a veneer of privacy in your fenced off community with a built in audience of friends. In comparison, blogging is bold and exposed, maybe even risky in these digital times. Well, maybe that's what I need right now. Ripping off the band-aid, exposing the wounds, and starting fresh. Maybe John Boy still has something to say.

It seems a fitting day to declare one's independence.
Tomorrow is a new day.

Travel Plans Revisited

2011-02-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

The travel plan for summer 2011 was to visit the pre-Columbian and modern cultures of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia, but I think it might need to be postponed. I still have this large research project, known as a PhD dissertation, that I need to finish in Veracruz this summer. Everything else needs to be put on hold while I focus on this. So, if traveling doesn't work out this year, the plan for 2012 is to spend the entire summer traveling throughout South America. For my work this would be primarily the Andean areas of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, but I also plan to travel through Chile, Argentina and Brazil. I guess if you must delay gratification, then you should make the prize larger :)

France

2010-07-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

It's our one year anniversary today and we are still basking in the afterglow of our month in France. We had an incredible time seeing and eating everything. Paris is a beautiful and yummy place :)

We rented an apartment in Paris for the month as our home base and took various day trips by train. We also rented a car for a week to tour south to Bordeaux and north to Normandy. As you may suspect we saw a lot of art and Gothic cathedrals, as well as, prehistoric cave paintings and sprawling vineyards.

I always love my time in France.

Future Travel Plans

2010-03-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well, another hectic semester, as suspected. While teaching full-time at one college, nights at another university, chairing and sitting on several committees, advising student government, squeezing in moments of writing, and coordinating the Broadcasting/Cinema, Dance, Music, Theatre and Fine Arts programs may keep me busy, I still keep an eye on my future travel plans. Remember, this is a primary reason I do what I do.

This summer Catherine and I will be spending a month in France for our honeymoon. The airline tickets are purchased and I am in the process of finalizing our accommodations. I am renting an apartment in Paris for the month as our home base. From there we will take trips throughout the country. It will be Catherine's first time in France and I am looking forward to returning.

Last night at dinner I pulled out a pen and a 3x5 card and asked, "Where should we go next?" My plan is to be able to take at least one substantial (about a month) international trip each year. This would not include briefer (less than two weeks) North American or European sojourns. Here is what we came up with for this decade :)

2010 France
2011 Peru (Andes)
2012 Greece/Turkey/Egypt
2013 Japan/Hong Kong
2014 India
2015 Australia/New Zealand
2016 Southeast Asia (Thailand/Malaysia...)
2017 West Africa
2018 Russia
2019 China

2010

2010-01-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

Farewell 2009, you brought many wonderful things into my life.
May 2010 do as well.
Best wishes in the new year.

Happy Holidays Martian Style

2009-12-25T11:26:00.000-08:00

A little entertainment for the holidays. In case you missed this one in 1964, view "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" online for free. It just may be the ultimate Yuletide family entertainment. Enjoy :)

Some of my live blogging observations:

I wasn't born yet when this came out, but for some reason I would not be surprised if my mother owned a copy of this classic. She knows it's true!

Yes, that is a 10 year old Pia Zadora as Girmar!

I'm not sure which is better, the guy in the polar bear costume or the giant robot made out of a cardboard box.

Okay, I want whatever Santa is smoking in that pipe of his.

Warning: Be prepared for the "Hooray for Santy Claus" song (also sang by Pia). It will linger.

After "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" what else could there possibly be left to do today!? ;)

Wishing you all the best in 2010!

Projects

2009-12-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Several art related projects that I continue to work on...

Currently editing the 23rd episode of the podcast iconomaniacs. Please leave us a comment at www.iconomaniacs.com or a review on iTunes.

The Art Committee that I chair is raising funds for a new public artwork. Learn more about the Campaign for CUCAMONGA and, if you can, please give a contribution to support the project.

I have been working with a group of students this semester to publish a new arts publication titled ARTicles. ARTicles is a student-driven publication produced by a consortium of students with a passion for the arts, entertainment and culture. The content reflects a diverse sample of the cultural life at the college. The first issue was just published. There will be a launch party during the Winter Student Exhibition reception at the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art on Wednesday, December 9th, 12:30-1:30pm. http://www.chaffeyarticles.com/

My Art Collection Care and Management course has been working this semester to catalog the college's art collection. The students are creating accession files and condition reports for each object. You can also view their online wiki.

Happy (Hopey?) Halloween

2009-10-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

Also, just in time for Halloween, the Iconomaniacs look at blood and other bodily excretions. http://www.iconomaniacs.com/

Presidential Proclamation for the Arts

2009-10-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH, 2009

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Throughout our Nation's history, the power of the arts and humanities to move people has built bridges and enriched lives, bringing individuals and communities together through the resonance of creative expression. It is the painter, the author, the musician, and the historian whose work inspires us to action, drives us to contemplation, stirs joy in our hearts, and calls upon us to consider our world anew. The arts and humanities contribute to the vibrancy of our society and the strength of our democracy, and during National Arts and Humanities Month, we recommit ourselves to ensuring all Americans can access and enjoy them.

Read President Obama's entire proclamation here.

Los Angeles AIDS Walk

2009-09-15T00:52:00.000-07:00

Catherine and I are participating in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk on October 18, 2009. We are part of the team organized by the college's student government. If you would like to sponsor us, click on the links to our donation pages. Thanks!

John's donation page.
Catherine's donation page.

Teachable moment: Communism vs. Fascism

2009-08-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Progressives/Liberals/Democrats cannot be "Commie-Fascists".

The ideologies of communism and fascism are diametrically opposed. Communism is related to the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, or stateless society based on common ownership and control of the means of production and property in general. Fascism is based on an ideology of authoritarian nationalism and corporatist controlled economy. One of the strongest tenets of fascism is its opposition to communism. Nazis and Marxist do not get along!

Crazy, uninformed, right-wing protesters you must choose one or the other inappropriate label to call us - but not both! I can accept that you disagree with us, but I can't condone the blatant ignorance on your part.

My Response to the Anti-Health Care Crowd

2009-08-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

For some unknown reason the "Tea Party activist and 9-12ers" have invited me to join them "to protest Barak (sic) Obama's socialized medicine proposals during the president's visit to Grand Junction this Saturday."

I responded with a bit of sarcasm and irony, which I realize will only confuse this group.

The sad thing is, they will likely think I'm serious with this rant and ask me to be their leader:

While we are at it why not protest against all "socialized" proposals in America. Let's get rid of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, public schools and universities, parks, the postal service, roads, police departments, fire departments, and libraries. There are so many horrible things in our lives provided through evil government socialized programs. Why stop at only destroying the possibility of all American citizens having the opportunity to access affordable health care? Let's end funding for all of these public programs that are sponsored by the government! I don't need any of these public services! I pay for my own private insurance, invest in the capitalist stock market, operated on my own leg after taking that bullet in the war, paid my way through private christian schools and went to Harvard, have picnics in my own backyard, only use FedEx, have an off-road vehicle so I don't use those public roads, have a gun for protection and a big bucket of water for fires, and I don't read books. Down with socialism! We must have pure capitalism! Every man for himself as God intended!!!!

John Boy

UPDATE: I just received another invitation. This time from Arkansas. How the hell did I end up on these "teabaggers" email lists? Maybe my response to the Colorado invitation is making its way through the ranks. I'm sure it was inspirational. Ha!

We're Married!

2009-07-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

The wedding weekend went perfect and we had a wonderful time. We will be posting more information and photos at www.catandjohn.com.

The Truth About Health Care

2009-07-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

THIS IS A MUST WATCH INTERVIEW!

In his first extended television interview since leaving the health insurance industry, Wendell Potter tells Bill Moyers why he left his successful career as the head of Public Relations for CIGNA, one of the nation's largest insurers, and decided to speak out against the industry. "I didn't intend to [speak out], until it became really clear to me that the industry is resorting to the same tactics they've used over the years, and particularly back in the early '90s, when they were leading the effort to kill the Clinton plan."

Looking back over his long career, Potter sees an industry corrupted by Wall Street expectations and greed. According to Potter, insurers have every incentive to deny coverage — every dollar they don't pay out to a claim is a dollar they can add to their profits, and Wall Street investors demand they pay out less every year. Under these conditions, Potter says, "You don't think about individual people. You think about the numbers, and whether or not you're going to meet Wall Street's expectations."

Private insurance companies will always put profits before the health of their customers.

WATCH HERE

Why do we value life less than property?

2009-06-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

We need national healthcare, not insurance. It amazes me that this country puts more value in property than in human life.

If your home is on fire, the fire department doesn't first ask to see your proof of insurance. They just do all they can to save your home. The service is paid for with our taxes. If the house burns down, then your insurance will pay to cover loss.

If your car is stolen, the police department doesn't require proof of insurance in order to investigate the crime and arrest the criminal. The service is paid for with our taxes. If the car is not returned, then your insurance will pay to cover the loss.

But, if you are sick and do not qualify for public services such as Medicare, you must have a health insurance policy or you will be denied service or need to pay for all expenses out of pocket. The service of investigating illness and protecting human life is not provided for all with our taxes. Now in the case of the loss of life, your life insurance will pay out to your beneficiaries.

In all three of these cases, if you want to recoup money after a loss, you must have insurance. But only in the case of human life do you need insurance in order to receive protection and assistance. An insurance company does not approve whether a firman can extinguish a burning home or a policeman can apprehend a criminal stealing a car, but they do intervene when a doctor is making medical care decisions.

Why do we value the services of firemen and policemen more than medical doctors? Why is it acceptable to some to pay firemen and policemen with our taxes, but it is deemed as "socialism" to do the same with our medical professionals? Why do we value life less than property in this country?

We need a strong public healthcare option. I do not need an insurance agent between me and my doctor.

Failing Grades

2009-06-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

These are all false and incorrect statements made by right-wing conservative television and radio hosts.

This salute to education (or lack of, in this case) comes to you from Media Matters:

Three Cups of Tea

2009-06-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

Not the most well-written book, but a very powerful story well worth reading and telling. Find out more about the Central Asia Institute and how to provide support at: https://www.ikat.org/

Quarantine Fox News Channel

2009-06-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

Iconomaniacs Episode 10: Memorials

2009-05-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

On this Memorial Day John and Denise remember those who died while in military service and commemorate their triumphant tenth episode with a consideration of Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial and war memorials in the United States post-Lin.

www.iconomaniacs.com

New Date

2009-04-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

iconomaniacs

2009-03-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

On Friday I launched a visual art and culture podcast along with fellow art history professor Denise Johnson. We really had a lot of fun making it and hope to make it a weekly offering. You can listen to the first episode of iconomaniacs at www.iconomaniacs.com.

Iconomaniacs: a podcast for the love of art. Join two intrepid art historians as they do what they do best - gab about visual art and culture in an irreverent, but insightful and (hopefully) interesting banter in less than an hour.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

2009-03-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

In case you hadn't heard, “there’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama!”

California Biennial 2008

2009-03-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

I joined Misty and Taryn on a tour of the California Biennial at the Orange County Museum of Art on March 14, 2009. In this video we are having a conversation inside Michael Arcega's SAFE, 2008. We were having a good time and being a bit silly.

Yes, this is why.

2009-02-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

Today I received yet another reminder of why I voted for President Obama. Here is the video of his speech before signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This is the "beginning of the first steps" down a long road toward economic recovery. It will take time to repair the damage of the Bush administration, which took the country from a $5.6 trillion surplus to a $1.2 trillion deficit.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Colors

2009-02-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Typing in that title made me recall the 1988 film by the same name. Looking at the colors we chose now only seems to reinforce the thought ;)

We are looking at a mix of beach and Asian art influences. The two colors work well together and most importantly Catherine likes them (hey, I'm not stupid). For the geeks out there the colors are HEX: #780000 and #007890.

I've started playing with a possible image for the invitation. It's simple and clean. We like the red orchid, which will likely be a primary element running through the theme.

05/01/10

2009-02-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

I believe we have decided on a date for the wedding, 05/01/10.

Our preliminary plans are to have a small, intimate ceremony with immediate family at the beach in southern California. Then a few weeks later we will have a big celebration in central California for the 150+ friends and members of the extended family.

This may not sit well with everyone, but it seems to be the most acceptable compromise for two primary reasons: 1) the logistics of a small beach wedding preclude a large guest list and 2) money.

I know this may not embrace the unbridled spirit of throwing caution to the wind in order to create that special day, but we also can't and don't want to be paying off the debt of a wedding for years to come. We love our families and friends dearly and know they will understand.

The countdown has begun!

Yeah, It's Pretty Bad

2009-02-07T04:49:00.000-08:00

From the Office of the Speaker of the House. The blue line shows job losses in the 1990 recession (Bush 1); the red line is 2001 (Bush 2 policies implemented), and the green line is where we are now (Another parting gift from Bush 2 policies. Lowest job growth since WWII, 0.28% job growth - just beating out his father's former record of 0.59%. I hope we kept the receipt so we can return it.).

If you can't quite remember what happened between the 1990 and 2001 recessions, we had the highest job growth in the last quarter century under Clinton, 2.42%. Actually since WWII the only two Presidents to do better were also Democrats, Carter with 3.11% and Johnson with 3.74%. Hmm, well, if President Obama keeps up the Democratic tradition, we should see some marked improvement. Then again he couldn't do much worse than the last guy.

In case you are wondering Bush Jr. wrapped up the prizes in four other worst economy categories, only being beaten out by two other Republicans in the fifth:

Business First also looked at five subsets of job growth, with the younger President Bush finishing last in four of those categories -- private-sector, manufacturing, retail-trade and government employment.

The exception was construction employment, where Bush ranked ninth with an annual growth rate of 0.08 percent. The nation suffered losses of construction jobs under two presidents: Gerald Ford (down 3.75 percent per year between 1974 and 1977) and George H.W. Bush (down 3.22 percent per year).

It was a very good day.

2009-01-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

Check out the new digs: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

And, also, Obama's People.

The Motorcycle Diaries

2009-01-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey by Ernesto "Che" Guevara

I just finished reading this book today. I had a bit of a mixed response.

Different parts of the book fluctuated between 3 and 4 stars for me. Much of the text was a blow-by-blow of their journey and descriptions of how they hustled free food, shelter and transportation. There wasn't a great amount of reflection or growth in the writing. This was often compounded by his inexperience and strong biases, which I suppose should not be surprising of a man in his early twenties on such a journey. It was mostly interesting to read knowing who he would become later in that same decade and trying to discern how events on this trip may have played a role in forming "Che."

Reading this book also reawakened much of my own youthful wanderlust and reminded me of my interest in publishing my own travel diaries from when I was about the same age. I guess I might need to become infamous first.

Beginning on Tuesday

2009-01-17T09:22:00.001-08:00

"We can once again provide an example to the world, and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and progress at home."

UPDATES:

I'll be wearing my Inauguration Day t-shirt to work on Tuesday :)

Check out this marquee from a theatre in Oakland.

Goodbye, Good Riddance

2009-01-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

This was a very long decade. You might remember that I went to graduate school in Austin, Texas and had Bush as governor for two years before he began his eight years as president. Sadly, no surprises. This president fulfilled every expectation I had for him, and in some cases, disturbingly, even exceeded my worst fears.

Bush's legacy, in part:

He took the nation to a war of choice under false pretenses -- and left troops in harm's way on two fields of battle. He embraced torture as an interrogation tactic and turned the world's champion of human dignity into an outlaw nation and international pariah. He watched with detachment as a major American city went under water. He was ostensibly at the helm as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression took hold. He went from being the most popular to the most disappointing president, having squandered a unique opportunity to unite the country and even the world behind a shared agenda after Sept. 11. He set a new precedent for avoiding the general public in favor of screened audiences and seemed to occupy an alternate reality. He took his own political party from seeming permanent majority status to where it is today. And he deliberately politicized the federal government, circumvented the traditional policymaking process, ignored expert advice and suppressed dissent, leaving behind a broken government.

Next Tuesday cannot come soon enough.

UPDATE: summary of 8 years in 8 minutes

Happy Holidays

2008-12-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

And, may the force be with you. Yes, I am a geek. Are you surprised?

We are heading north to spend the holidays with my family.
Trips to San Francisco and wine tasting are also being considered :)

I hope everyone had a great 2008 and wishing you all the best in 2009!

Prop 8: The Musical

2008-12-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

Prop 8: The Musical, created by award-winning Hairspray composer Marc Shaiman, features stars such as Jack Black and John C Reilly lampooning backers of the constitutional amendment, which limits marriage to a union between a man and a woman.

1978 Hydrogen Powered Car

2008-11-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

For all of those critics (oil executives) that keep saying it just can't be done, well, it would appear that it was done 30 years ago.

In 1978 a group of intrepid engineers and investors created a way to solve the energy crisis and cut pollution. They produced a hydrogen powered car. The hydrogen is produced from water using solar power. That's right, no oil or coal being used in any step of the process.

Jack Nicholson had one of those cars and can be seen demonstrating it in this video clip.

It is depressing to think how far along we would be today toward our goals of energy independence and cleaning our environment, if only our country had done what it never ceases to tout itself as, if we had only been adventurous, intelligent and solution-oriented bold leaders.
I hope it's not too late.

Transition Updates

2008-11-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already found this resource, you can keep up on the latest events and preparations of the Obama-Biden transition team and President-elect Obama's weekly addresses at Change.Gov.
January 20th really can't get here fast enough.

Meanwhile, Goognight, John Boy will now be transitioning back to its non-election year regular programming. Someone around here has a dissertation to complete and a wedding to plan. More soon...

Barack Obama Elementary School

2008-11-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

The newly elected president and vice-president, fifth-graders Teonte Jackson and Jalani Johnson, of Ludlum Elementary School's student body, joined by fellow classmate Samantha Alburez, 10, surprised the school board with their first official proposal, to change the name of the Hempstead, NY school. By a unanimous vote the Hempstead Board of Education agreed and proudly renamed Ludlum Elementary School as the Barack Obama Elementary School.

I have a feeling this will only be the first of many.

The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear.

2008-11-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

By video link, President-Elect Barack Obama spoke to a gathering of governors and foreign officials in Los Angeles Tuesday, reiterating his stance on climate policy.

I love math.

2008-11-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

------------------------------------

... Democratic. Actually, 78% did so. Click on map for details.

We Must Not Forget

2008-11-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Casualties in Iraq
The Human Cost of Occupation
Edited by Margaret Griffis
American Military Casualties in Iraq

American Deaths

Since war began (3/19/03): 4196

Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4057

Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3735

Since Handover (6/29/04): 3337

Since Election (1/31/05): 2759

American Wounded

Official: 30,793

Since, the "successful surge", only 1,194 of our troops have died and only 7,857 have been seriously wounded. That seems to be just dandy to many Americans. A February 2008 Pew Report showed that 48% of us think the war is going well. The death toll has risen to 627 in Afghanistan. Since the start of the war in 2003 to now more than 320,000 brain injuries have been reported. There were 790 attempted suicides among Iraqi veterans in 2007 alone. Eighteen vets commit suicide each month. A CBS report showed that there were 6,256 suicides among those who served in the armed forces in 2005 alone.

On This Veterans Day

2008-11-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Please take a moment to remember and thank those who have served and are serving in our military. May our active soldiers return safely and may we as a nation never again send them unnecessarily into harms way to fight an illegitimate war as we have in Iraq.

I also want to share some information for our returning soldiers and their families. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council are launching a campaign to help the men and women who have served and are serving in these conflicts.

The campaign directs veterans to the first and only community exclusive to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans through a new social networking website...where they can listen, share their experiences and access resources. The PSAs are being distributed to media outlets nationwide this week to coincide with Veterans Day (November 11).

The campaign aims to address the mental health consequences of combat, which threaten to overwhelm a new generation of veterans. The 1.7 million men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing an increased risk of mental health issues. Nearly 20 percent of military servicemembers who have returned – 300,000 in all – report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression, yet only slightly more than half have sought treatment, according to a RAND Corporation study released in April 2008. Untreated mental health conditions can cause or aggravate other debilitating problems in the veterans' community including high rates of unemployment, suicide, homelessness, substance abuse, divorce and child abuse. [...]

Most Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are married, and 700,000 children in America have had at least one parent deployed during the conflicts. It is therefore a conservative estimate to predict that those immediately affected by these wars will number at least three million people. More than 60 percent of these veterans are under the age of 30.

The Fight for Equality Continues

2008-11-10T21:45:00.000-08:00

I wish there would have been this level of concern before the vote. It seems many people that are against California's Proposition 8 assumed logic and decency would prevail over fear, ignorance and bigotry. Sadly, again, it did not. I must say that the embracing of overt discrimination against same-sex couples by the California electorate has left a cloud over the planning of my own wedding.

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC on Proposition 8:

This Was A Very Big Week

2008-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many more good things could have been packed into this last week. Now at its end, I'm going to take a moment to reflect on it all.

MacBook Pro. My last laptop, a nearly four-year-old PowerBook, was on its last leg. My laptops get a lot of use and are used continuously throughout the day for my class lectures, writing, and personal use. I had completely filled up the hard drive a year ago and needed to move most of my media to external storage, recently the optical drive stopped recognizing CDs and DVDs, and the processor speed was no longer adequate for efficiently running some of the newer programs simultaneously.

I had been following for most of the year the Apple rumors about a new generation of Mac laptops (notebooks) in the making. In the past I have had a penchant for buying a new computer a month before the next generation was released, which made my new purchase almost immediately obsolete. This time I waited.

It arrived on Monday. Four times the hard drive storage. Eight times the RAM. Double the processing speed. Yeah, I'm happy.

Yes We Did. There are so many reasons that I am pleased that Barack Obama won a decisive victory on Tuesday to become the 44th President of the United States of America. Of course, his goals to correct the myriad of disastrous policies implemented over the last eight years by the Bush administration, return to following and protecting the Constitution and the rights outlined within, rebuilding our credibility as a nation abroad, and the historical nature of his election, are all important. But, for me, it is the possibility that this may mark a step away from the anti-intellectualism that has been inexplicably embraced in American life. It should not only be acceptable to be intelligent and educated (how these qualities were ever defined as negative or elitist in this country should be seen as a disgrace), but must be viewed as an essential priority when selecting our leaders. I know we have a difficult and challenging road ahead of us as we work to fix all that has gone wrong in our nation, but I strongly believe the election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is a positive step in the right direction.

Tenure. On Thursday I received my final work performance evaluation from a committee of fellow faculty members and administrators. I was granted tenure. It was nice to be given the accolades on my performance as a professor and the security that tenure entails. My peers stressed how wonderful this is for my career and I am very pleased with this accomplishment. But, I must say, and maybe this is my relative inexperience speaking, I don't really see this having a great impact on my future career decisions. We will see.

Madonna. As part of my gift to Catherine for our third anniversary I bought tickets for Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour date at Dodger Stadium on November 6. Catherine is a big Madonna fan but had never had the opportunity to see her in concert. I had actually gone to Madonna's first three concerts, which seems like a life time ago (The Virgin Tour (1985), Who's That Girl (1987), and Blonde Ambition (1990)). I had to tease Catherine that this must make me a bigger fan ;) We had a great time. Madonna always puts on a fun show. There were also two cameos on stage by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake (at separate times in the concert). Barack Obama was also brought to the fore with an enthusiastic endorsement by Madonna and a packed stadium. It was interesting, I think the image of Obama solicited even more applause than Madonna received. Here's a photo of Catherine in front of the stage before the concert started.

She said, "Yes." On the afternoon of Saturday, November 8, 2008, I proposed to Catherine. Although her first surprised response was, "Are you sure?", she did follow up with a "Yes", I assume after she realized I was serious. I guess the fact that I was on one knee holding an engagement ring in my hand wasn't enough of an indication of my seriousness ;)

I had decided to find a location that had meaning for both of us and was a setting that I knew Catherine found peaceful. As you know, I am an art historian and Catherine is pursuing a second degree in religious studies with a focus on eastern religions. We both have a fondness for Buddhism and the practice of meditation (even if not as regularly as desired). The Norton Simon Museum of Art has an excellent collection of Asian artworks. In the last room there is a small bench in front of a wall of glass that looks out onto a statue of Buddha sitting in meditation. We had been here many times before to enjoy the calmness and serenity of this space that was always secluded and seemed rarely visited by the masses upstairs observing the European art collections. This is where I decided to propose to Catherine.

We had planned to spend the day in Pasadena eating, shopping and viewing art. The order of how it all happened of course was decided by Catherine. I knew upfront that I would need to be flexible with the timing. I hoped to propose early in the day, so we could then spend the rest of our time celebrating. But when we arrived in Pasadena, Catherine announced that she was hungry and wanted to eat before we went to the art museum.

We went to an Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio, and had an excellent lunch out on their patio (the seared ahi tuna is wonderful) and a nice pinot grigio. In the courtyard next to the restaurant Yoko Ono's Wish Trees for Pasadena interactive art installation has been on display since August 2. Visitors have been writing their wishes on pieces of paper and hanging them on the tree branches. The wishes will be "harvested" and sent to Yoko Ono, to be joined with others from around the world. Later, they will be placed in specially constructed capsules in the area surrounding Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower dedicated to the memory of John Lennon on Videy Island, off the coast of ReykjavÌk, Iceland. After lunch we added our own wishes to the trees. I know what you might be thinking - a nice restaurant and writing wishes about peace - why not propose now? I know, but I decided to stick to the plan.

I now suggested that we start walking toward the art museum. There were a few stops along the way as Catherine wanted to look in some of the shops. I tried to stay relaxed and not appear as if I was trying to get anywhere, though I was starting to worry if we would actually make it to the museum and maybe I should have taken advantage of the wish tree setting. But I persevered and we made it to the museum.

When we arrived at the museum we visited the bookstore, viewed Johannes Vermeer's A Lady Writing, on loan from the National Gallery of Art, and toured the three other temporary exhibitions located throughout the museum. Then, finally, we entered the Asian art galleries. We slowly meandered through the many stone and bronze sculptures moving toward my planned destination. Before we entered the gallery it crossed my mind to ask the guard if she could ask other visitors to stay out for the next ten to fifteen minutes while I was proposing. But, since the gallery is always empty whenever we visit, I figured it was unnecessary.

We walked into the gallery, sat on the bench and were immediately joined by a group of tourists taking the audio tour. They were followed by a steady stream of visitors that seemed to be timing their viewing perfectly, so that when one group finally left another walked in. I was afraid that my constant turning to see who was entering the gallery next would tip her off that I was up to something. The room is rather serene and dimly lit, which can make one sleepy, so after awhile Catherine was ready to walk around more.

I quickly entered into a conversation that we had started that morning about spirituality and specifically Buddhism. I moved this into a discussion of how we view our relationship and future together in relation to Buddhist philosophy. As I was preparing to profess my love for her a man in a wheelchair decided to pull up right next to us and stay for a spell. Okay, I'm thinking, I'm a professor, I'm quick on my feet, stall!

Finally we were alone. I told her that when I think about our life together I have no fear or reservations. I know that my heart and my mind are honestly reflected in my speech when I tell her that I love her and want to spend my life with her. I then moved from the bench down to one knee before her and pulled the ring from my pocket. You could see the shock and confusion in her face as I asked her if she would give me the honor of being my wife. She immediately began to cry and asked if I was sure. I smiled and asked her again. This time she said, "Yes."

During the weeks leading up to this day I was busy looking for THE ring. I knew her ring size and that she wanted the center stone to be a sapphire. That was it. I wasn't able to find a completed ring with a setting, stone size and cut, and quality that I wanted, so I bought each piece separately and had it made. I learned a lot about sapphires and think I found a truly beautiful stone. The center stone is a 1.1 carat, all-natural (untreated), AAA rated, oval-cut blue sapphire. The photo does not do justice to the richness of the stone's color. The setting is white gold with four diamonds, two set on either side of the sapphire.

I think she likes it.

Super Obama World

2008-11-07T19:04:00.001-08:00

If you liked Super Mario Bros., you'll love Super Obama World.
And, yes, that is lipstick on that pig.

The 44th President of the United States

2008-11-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

The First Family

2008-11-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

I am so proud.

YES WE DID!

2008-11-04T20:08:00.001-08:00

I VOTED

2008-11-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

I got up early today to get to the polls before they opened. It was raining with a slight chill. I was the 18th in line. The line continued to grow. You could tell people were excited. I was happy and proud to cast my vote today.

It's our time. Now go and get out the vote!

2008-11-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

Don't Let Them Stop You From Voting

2008-11-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

ONE MORE DAY!!

Republican mayor of San Diego supports gay marriage

2008-11-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

In an emotional press conference the mayor reverses his prior campaign promises to oppose gay marriage and explains why his original position was wrong.

From the closing statement:

"I have close family members and friends who are a member of the gay and lesbian community. Those folks include my daughter Lisa, as well as members of my personal staff.

"I want for them the same thing that we all want for our loved ones—for each of them to find a mate whom they love deeply and who loves them back; someone with whom they can grow old together and share life’s experiences.

"And I want their relationships to be protected equally under the law. In the end, I couldn’t look any of them in the face and tell them that their relationship—their very lives—were any less meaningful than the marriage I share with my wife Rana.

--------------------------------

Discrimination

Only two more days!! Obama/Biden '08!

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

2008-11-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

My Friends: The Musical

Three more days!!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T00:02:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it tonight.

2008-10-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

What This Election is About

2008-10-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

More Smears and Lies About Obama

2008-10-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

From FactCheck.org, October 28, 2008

A new anti-Obama group runs a bunk-filled ad implying he'd give a driver's license to Mohammed Atta.

An upstart group calling itself the "National Republican Trust PAC" mixes a pile of false claims and the image of 9/11 mastermind Mohammed Atta to create one of the sleaziest false TV ads of the campaign.

The spot falsely claims Obama has a "plan" to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. In fact, Obama has said quite specifically, "I am not proposing that that's what we do."

The ad implies such licenses would enable terrorist attacks. In fact, Atta wouldn't have needed one to carry out his attacks.

It claims that Obama's health care plan will apply to illegal immigrants. But Obama has stated quite clearly that his plan "does not" cover illegal immigrants.

The ad falsely claims that Obama's plan "gives illegals Social Security benefits," which is also flatly untrue.

Misrepresenting Obama's Tax Proposals

2008-10-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

From FactCheck.org, October 26, 2008

New ads recycle old, debunked claims about Obama's tax plan.

Republicans are misrepresenting Obama's tax proposals right down to the bitter end. New radio ads from the McCain campaign and a TV spot from the pro-Republican group Let Freedom Ring are targeting voters nationwide with some of the same tax deceptions we've been hearing all fall, rolled in a bundle and flung through the airwaves. One of the radio ads features Hank Williams Jr., the other Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. But new packaging doesn't make the charges any less false.

Taxes wouldn't have gone up on "families" making as little as $42,000 under the budget resolution passed last spring, as the Charlie Crist ad says. Try $90,000 for a typical family of four. And anyway, that measure doesn't at all resemble what Obama's actually proposing to do.

The Let Freedom Ring ad claimed that Obama has "voted to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire," meaning "our income taxes will actually go up." But Obama only voted to let some of the tax cuts expire, and at any rate nobody's taxes are going up as a result of that vote. The group yanked this ad off the air rather than try to defend it.

Echoing a recent McCain theme, Crist says, "McCain knows that people don't want to 'spread the wealth,' " condemning Obama's use of the phrase when he talked to "Joe the Plumber." Actually, McCain has supported taxing high earners more than low earners. Not so long ago McCain said, "Wealthy people can afford [to pay] more." Obama's tax plan would "spread the wealth" more than McCain's, but it's not as though McCain wants to do away with the progressive tax system we currently have.

Mayanists for Obama

2008-10-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

As an art historian of Precolumbian Mesoamerican cultures and a supporter of Barack Obama, I have to admit that I found this to be very cool. David Stuart, a world renowned Maya epigrapher from my alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, designed a Maya glyph that spells "Obama". You can now show your support for Obama with gear available from obamayanist at CafePress.

If you are wondering about the additional "a" at the end, this is a result of the way Maya words are constructed. This glyph block is created by four glyphs that represent individual syllables. The Maya syllables are either a vowel or a combination of a consonant-vowel sound. The Maya words therefore are formed with alternating consonant-vowel-consonant constructions. Also, the last vowel sound in the word is not pronounced, so if you only had the first three syllables, o-ba-ma, it would be read "obam". This is why the additional vowel of "a" is added at the end, so that when read the final vowel sound in Obama will be preserved.

Conservatives for Change

2008-10-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is a documentary project featuring Republicans and Conservatives who are voting for Obama. These are real people, speaking in their own words. Go to: www.conservativesforchange.com

Equality For All

2008-10-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I posted about the incredible beauty and love my sister and her new husband experienced at their wedding last weekend. Today I am asking everyone to help protect the right of all couples to be able to share the same experience. I can't imagine what it would have been like if the government told my sister that she could not wed the person she had chosen to spend her life with. Can you imagine not being allowed to create a legal bond with the person you love?

On May 15th, 2008, California became a state that grants equal protection and equal rights to same-sex couples. There is once again an effort by intolerant groups to write discrimination back into the California Constitution this November. Proposition 8 is an initiative on the ballot that, if passed, could eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. I’m asking you to do whatever you can to help defeat it.

VOTE NO on PROP 8

We all know how important it is to be treated equally and fairly. Same-sex couples in California now have the same rights and protections that all other committed and loving couples enjoy. I firmly believe that all couples who want to accept the responsibility that comes with marriage should be treated equally and be granted the same legal rights and freedoms.

The issue of equality and fairness is very important to me, which is why I am asking you to Vote NO on Proposition 8, the marriage ban. Our Constitution was designed to provide equal protections under the law for all of us in California, and it should not be used to legalize discrimination.

American's have come a long way toward ensuring equal rights for all people, but the fight is far from over. Your support is needed now more than ever. Please, Vote NO on Proposition 8 and tell others to do the same. Together, we can help stop this discrimination and ensure equality for all couples.

The factions supporting Prop 8 and the discrimination that this marriage ban would entail, see this as a moral battle. They believe they have the right to say which consenting adult couples are allowed to have access to equal rights and protections under the law. Prop 8 is not about "protecting the sanctity of marriage", it is about discrimination.

The right of religious institutions to make guidelines for who can be married in their organization is not threatened by the state granting equal protection and equal rights to same-sex couples. The separation of church and state provides religions the protection to decide how they run their institutions. Just as a Christian church can mandate that you must believe in Jesus Christ to join the church, it still has the freedom to decide who it will wed. Religions have the freedom not to wed same-sex couples and this is not threatened by the state allowing equality for same-sex couples under the law. Just as the state cannot decide who is married in the eyes of a religion, religions should not be able to decide who can be wed under the law. Prop 8 is unnecessary and accomplishes nothing other than discrimination.

Watch this video to get an idea of how this issue of equality and fairness is viewed by those supporting Prop 8, the marriage ban. This type of fear and hatred cannot be allowed to rewrite the California Constitution.

Join me and the broad coalition of organizations and newspapers that oppose Prop. 8—from the Los Angeles Times and La Opinión to the League of Women Voters, the California Nurses Association and the California Teachers Association.
VOTE NO on PROP 8

I Married My Sister

2008-10-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my sister Melanie and Bill were married in Santa Cruz. It was a multi-day celebration culminating in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Chaminade. It was quite a party.

The happy couple gave me the honor of officiating over the wedding ceremony. I was sworn in by the state of California as a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages for a day. Here are some photos from the weekend (click to enlarge).

Catherine and I met up with everyone Thursday night at Zelda's in Capitola for some lobster. As you can see in the photo we were a bit tired. I had taught that morning and then drove for about six hours. Everyone else that had arrived earlier in the day or the day before had been celebrating and wine tasting for several hours.

Friday afternoon we had the ceremony rehearsal followed by a dinner at the Crow's Nest with a nice view of the ocean at sunset.

Saturday morning I took Catherine down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a late breakfast. I hadn't been to the boardwalk in years, so I was wondering if the roller coaster would be as good as I remembered. The Giant Dipper is a wooden coaster built in 1924. It was still as fun as I remembered. The drop is pretty good with some sharp, if a bit jerky, turns. Catherine didn't seem to enjoy it. She was sure the coaster was going to collapse under us.

The ceremony went well. My sister looked amazing in her gown. The groom seemed a bit stunned when she walked out. He hadn't seen the gown, although they had taken some photos on the beach before the ceremony. She had bought two gowns unbeknown to him, one for the beach photos and one for the ceremony.

From left to right: my niece Lindsay, my father and mother (John and Margie), Bill and Melanie, my grandmother (Marie, mother's side), brother-in-law Eric and sister Monica, me, and my nephew Michael.

And the one woman that gave the bride some competition, my beautiful partner Catherine. We had a great time!

Here is the prepared text for the toast I gave at the reception:

As Melanie’s big brother I may have tortured her relentlessly when we were young, now I have the opportunity to make amends by saying something really nice today, but I can’t guarantee that there won’t still be a little torture included. (Some habits are hard to break.)

I am very blessed to have two sisters that I consider to be among my very best friends. You might not be aware of the exact moment it happens, when the teasing of childhood becomes the love and caring of true friendship, but when you are lucky enough to have that with your siblings as I do, you want to make sure that you never let it go.

Let me give you an example of when I realized we were as much friends as siblings. It was the summer of 1995, our niece and nephew, Michael and Lindsay, had just been born, and Melanie and I decided to travel for two weeks in the Yucatan peninsula to see some of the Maya ruins. Melanie was quite the trooper, following me through humid jungles and tropical storms, being eaten by mosquitoes and a myriad of other bugs, no make-up with hair pulled back in a ponytail, riding down bumpy dirt roads on buses packed with people, chickens and goats, and sleeping in $4 hotel rooms and hammocks on the beach. We were friends. We were equals. That was a wonderful summer that I will always remember dearly.

We learned a lot about each other, the world, and ourselves that summer. I think Melanie also gained an advanced appreciation for Mexican beer. We also saw a lot of amazing and beautiful things as we wandered through the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum, Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Climbing the stairs of the pyramids we got a small glimpse into their world. We learned about ancient traditions where men would be given intoxicants, dressed in elaborate costumes, and led up the stairs of the pyramid. Then there in front of a large assembled crowd the man would be sacrificed before an altar and his heart given as a sacred offering. Hmm, some might say this is a practice that continues on today. Bill, are you still with us?

But these two have nothing to worry about. They have already shown their ability to love and care for each other through great adversity. They can be confident in the knowledge that they can overcome anything together, for they have survived the greatest challenge and sacrifice of any married couple: a kitchen remodel. [remember the car that drove into their house]

I have kept an eye on Bill over the years. And I can say that he continues to impress me. Bill is a man of honor and pride who freely displays his respect, kindness and caring towards my family. I know without reservation that he loves my sister deeply. As a big brother this is important to know. Bill, please know that I could not be happier to welcome you into our family.

They say that when you get married that the two individuals become one, so your first duty as a married couple will be to decide which one. Well, I think we all know how that one will turn out. Sorry, Bill.

I love you both!

Everyone please stand and raise your glasses in honor of the happy couple…

As we stand here filled with many wonderful memories of the past, we create a beautiful memory of today, and wish you all the joy imaginable in creating your future memories together. Melanie and Bill, here’s to you. Prost!

A Touch of Tradition

2008-10-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

This poster is hand printed from wood type that is over 100 years old. Cool.

Talk To Your Parents

2008-10-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

I thought this was clever.

Oh, and while you are at it, if they live in California,
make sure they Vote NO on Prop 8.

It might also help your discussion with your parents along if you let them know that Ronald Reagan endorses Barack Obama.

Keating Economics

2008-10-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when Mr. McCain decides to throw stones while standing in one of his seven glass houses.

Read full story at Politico.com:

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Monday will launch a multimedia campaign to draw attention to the involvement of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the "Keating Five" savings-and-loan scandal of 1989-91, which blemished McCain’s public image and set him on his course as a self-styled reformer.

Pushing back against what it calls "guilt-by-association" tactics by McCain, the Obama campaign is e-mailing millions of supporters a link to a website, KeatingEconomics.com, that will have a 13-minute documentary on the scandal beginning at noon Eastern time on Monday. The overnight e-mails urge recipients to pass the link on to friends.

KeatingEconomics.com

JohnMcCainRecord.com

BarackObama.com

UPDATE: Not surprisingly, McCain is now saying the Keating Five investigation was a set-up, a witch hunt, a partisan smear job, and that he did nothing wrong. The problem is that this contradicts all of his earlier statements acknowledging his own bad judgement.

Last year he stated:

I was judged eventually, after three years, of using, quote, poor judgment, and I agree with that assessment.

And in his 2002 book Worth Fighting For he wrote:

I made the worst mistake of my life by attending two meetings, the first with the chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the government agency charged with regulating the practices of the nation’s savings and loans, and a week later with four bank examiners based in San Francisco who were at that time investigating the investment and lending practices of Lincoln Savings and Loan of Irvine, California, owned by my good friend and generous supporter Charles Keating.

This raises several problems for McCain: 1) Was he lying then or lying now or both?; 2) It was his confession of his wrongdoing in the Keating affair that he used to gain the reputation of being a "Straight Talker" and a "Maverick". He was supposedly a changed man after realizing his mistakes. But now he is stating that he never did anything wrong in the first place? So why did he apologize for his mistakes and poor judgement? And is there now really any basis remaining for the media to continue with the farce that McCain is an honest man?

UPDATE 2: More acknowledgments of guilt by McCain.

I created the appearance of impropriety so it was my -- I was guilty, and therefore did not represent the people of my state in the manner which they expected of me. [CNN, Larry King, 10/12/02]

The biggest mistake that I made in my life was attending a meeting with four other senators and four regulators because of the appearance of impropriety, and it is something that will always be a mark on my record, and something that people will judge me for the rest of my life. [GOP Presidential Primary Debate, 1/7/00]

Despite my recovery, the Keating Five experience was not one that I have walked away from as easily as I have other bad times. Twelve years after its conclusion, I still wince thinking about it and find that if I do not repress the memory, its recollection still provokes a vague but real feeling that I had lost something very important, something that was sacrificed in the pursuit of gratifying ambitions, my own and others', and that I might never possess again as assuredly as I once had. [McCain, Worth the Fighting For Page 204]

A Closer Look at John McCain

2008-10-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Rolling Stone contributing editor Tim Dickinson separates the facts from the fiction on the Republican presidential candidate. Watch the video that highlights the top Five Myths About John McCain and then read the ten-page article, Make-Believe Maverick, about his life and career.

Progress

2008-10-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

"There's not a single good reason to vote against Barack Obama."

2008-10-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO

Military donations favor Obama over McCain

2008-09-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this news.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. soldiers have donated more presidential campaign money to Democrat Barack Obama than to Republican John McCain, a reversal of previous campaigns in which military donations tended to favor GOP White House hopefuls, a nonpartisan group reported Thursday.

Troops serving abroad have given nearly six times as much money to Obama's presidential campaign as they have to McCain's, the Center for Responsive Politics said.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

2008-09-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Just received this parable in an email from a very hard working and responsible ant.

This one is a little different..
Two Different Versions!
Two Different Morals!

OLD VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself

MODERN VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.

How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green'. Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake. Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Finally, President Obama approves the EEOC draft from the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act, retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government. Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill Clinton appointed, when he was in office, from a list of single-parent welfare recipients. The ant loses the case.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow. The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2008

Uhg, I guess ants do have little minds and narrow perspectives. Well, as you can probably imagine, I couldn't resist responding.

A RESPONSE FROM THE ANT KING

Exactly, why don't THESE grasshoppers take responsibility for themselves. How dare they expect any empathy or humanity from us ants? We worked damn hard for what we ants have and any grasshopper that doesn't have the same can only blame themselves for being lazy and stupid. I've never met a hard working ant that lost their job or home because of unforeseen medical expenses or a natural disaster. So it must be true! I've never known a grasshopper that wasn't lazy and stupid just like their parents. So it must be true! Grasshoppers don't want to work or try to better themselves and the only reason THESE grasshoppers are having a hard time in this economy can only be because they are lazy and stupid. We ants should just sit in our homes and smile while we look out our windows and watch all of these useless grasshoppers dying in the streets. Go America! I got mine! Screw you! XOXO The Ant King

Over 35 million Americans (over 12 million children) live below the poverty line (many without adequate food). There are 1.4 million children that experience homelessness in this country each year. Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States. Over 45 million people in this country cannot afford adequate health insurance.

And, you know what, I bet EVERY ONE of them deserves their fate because they didn't take responsibility and spent all their time dancing around and being lazy. There's nothing like homelessness and hunger to make you want to dance. Why couldn't they just go to college and get a good job like us ants? Stupid grasshoppers. You know what else? I bet everyone that lost their jobs, homes, and savings in that so called "Great Depression" were all grasshoppers! Must have been, because no ant that worked for a living could have possibly lost their job and then needed to stand in a soup line to feed their family. Ants plan too carefully and have complete control over all aspects of their environment and society. Damn, I'm so glad I'm a hard working ant and not one of those lazy grasshoppers, because an ant can never end up like a grasshopper. I knew this one grasshopper, said he was working two jobs and had no debt, wife worked too while the two kids were in school, but then he was diagnosed with cancer, but his insurance didn't cover all the expenses, the bills were so large that he fell behind on his mortgage and was evicted, due to the chemotherapy treatment he wasn't strong enough to keep his night job at the loading docks, now he and his family are living in a shelter. Yeah, right! Please, these grasshoppers will say anything in order not to work and be responsible! Peace, The Ant King

Please forward this to all your superior ant friends.

Thanks a lot John!

2008-09-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

Presidential Debate #1

2008-09-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

As they say, "A picture can be worth a thousand words."

An important point to remember: This was supposed to be McCain's strong debate. If McCain could not show a clear dominance on the topic of foreign policy, which has been a main theme of his campaign, then he loses any edge. Because, again, Obama is already ahead in every other category. Even a tie in this first debate is in essence a win for Obama.

Polls taken after the debate: It appears the question of Obama's "readiness" was answered for many.

CBS Insta Poll shows Barack Obama won 39% to John McCain's 25% with 36% saying the debate was a draw.

Insider Advantage reports that those polled believe Obama won 42% to McCain's 41% with Undecided 17%.

CNN reports voter opinions that Obama "did better" 51%, McCain "did better" 38%.

The CNN poll showed men were evenly split, but women gave Obama higher marks 59% to 41% for McCain.

Specifically, by a 62-32 margin, voters thought that Obama was "more in touch with the needs and problems of people like you".

Just a couple clarifications of the facts:

1. Kissinger did recently call for “high level” talks with Iran starting at the secretary of state level, as stated by Obama, and said, “I do not believe that we can make conditions.” Actually five former U.S. secretaries of state (Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Warren Christopher, James Baker and Henry Kissinger) said that the next American administration should talk to Iran.

2. McCain claimed that special appropriation “earmarks” had “tripled in the last five years,” when in fact they have decreased sharply under the Democratic controlled congress since 2006. Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group, said in 2008 that "Congress has cut earmarks by 23 percent from the record 2005 levels," according to its analysis. Oh and another fun fact, McCain voted for the bill that made appropriations for the study of the DNA of bears in Montana that he derided during the debate.

3. McCain repeated his overstated and incorrect claim that the U.S. pays $700 billion a year to hostile nations. There have been some difference in interpretation on whether McCain was referring to the purchasing of foreign oil or the giving of foreign aid. Either way he is incorrect.

Oil imports are running at about $536 billion this year, and a third of it comes from Canada, Mexico and the U.K. But, McCain did question whether he would meet with the Prime Minister of Spain, so maybe he sees Canada, Mexico and the U.K. as hostile nations.

In regard to foreign aid, the entire budget for the State Department and International Programs works out to just $51.3 billion. And, of course, this aid is not all going to "hostile nations."

4. McCain claimed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had drafted a letter of resignation from the Army to be sent in case the 1944 D-Day landing at Normandy turned out to be a failure. Ike prepared a letter taking responsibility, but he didn’t mention resigning. There is no mention of quitting the Army, or his command.

Eisenhower (June 5, 1944): Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.

5. McCain repeated the false insinuation that Obama opposed naming Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Obama has in fact said that the IRGC should be named a terrorist group. He was a cosponsor of the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which, among other things, named the IRGC a terrorist organization.

6. McCain stated that he "voted for alternate fuel all of my time. ... No one can be opposed to alternate energy." McCain's record shows that he has flat out voted against funding for alternative energy on 11 occasions. On an additional 12 occasions McCain voted against mandatory use of alternative energy, or he voted in favor of allowing exemptions from these mandates. He may say he is in favor of alternative energy, but McCain has declined 23 opportunities to support it. In McCain's energy plan, he supports nuclear power and "clean" coal, which are alternative energies. But they don't qualify as renewable energy, such as hydro, solar and wind power.

Update: Coming back to add more.

7. McCain referred to the leader of Pakistan as "Qadari" instead of Asif Ali Zardari. McCain also incorrectly asserted that former Gen. Pervez Musharraf rescued Pakistan from being a "failed state" when in reality he seized power in a 1999 military coup that toppled the democratically elected government.

8. McCain claimed that "American business pays the second-highest business taxes in the world..." In Fact, the Bush Treasury Department report found that America has the second lowest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world, as a percentage of our GDP (ie. the real way to measure this). Last month, Congressional Quarterly reported, "Most corporations, including the vast majority of foreign companies doing business in the United States, pay no income taxes, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Tuesday."

I consumed this tonight.

2008-09-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise by Barack Obama

I arrived home from work today and found this book in my mailbox. I walked into my home, sat down, and read it in its entirety. It is rare that I consume a book so completely without pause.

As with any all encompassing policy proposal there will be items that you completely agree with and others that you would want to see some alterations to before being implemented. But, when read in the light (or shadows) of the last eight years under the Bush administration, Obama's vision is a breath of fresh air that allows you to once again ponder what America is truly capable of accomplishing. When read in comparison with the muddled, status quo policies being hocked by McCain, it is difficult to see how any critical thinking citizen with a social conscience could not easily prefer Obama's proposal.

Of course, some of Obama's proposals will still need to be outlined in a more comprehensive manner, but what is offered in this volume clearly shows his pragmatism and careful consideration of issues that will unify, strengthen, and move America forward into the 21st century. If you believe we, as Americans, are better as a nation when we work together to find solutions that improve the lives and secure the freedoms of ALL of our citizens, then you will find much to appreciate in this book.

I had originally planned to give this book four out of five stars for the outline of Obama's plan. But, in addition to the plan, seven of Obama's speeches are included at the back of the book. Among them is his "A More Perfect Union" speech that he gave in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008, where he confronted the issue of race in America. This speech alone is more than worthy of an additional star in my rating.

SNL Parody on McCain's Lack of Integrity

2008-09-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

Um, when even SNL calls you out for dishonest campaign tactics you might want to stop or at least recognize that the majority of the population now sees you as a hypocrite and liar.

speaking of trust...

The Blueprint for Change: Economy

2008-09-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

This video highlights Obama's economic plan.

You can read Obama's Fed/Treasury Plan that he outlined in Miami today.

UPDATE: Obama comments on McCain's most recent string of gaffes, distortions, lies and bad policy proposals.

To show that I am able to think critically and objectively about the policies and statements of both candidates, I want to clarify a point made by Obama about the Bush, McCain supported, Social Security privatization plan. Obama would have been more accurate in stating that people born after 1950 would have had some portion of their Social Security benefits affected by the current market turmoil, as well as those who retire in future decades. Bush et al. seem to have recognized that the Republican plan to move portions of Social Security benefits into the stock market would have had a very high level of risk involved (as this week seems to have shown), so the plan would have kept those born before 1950 in the current federally secured Social Security program.

But just earlier this year, McCain told the Wall Street Journal (3/3/08) that he still backs a system of market-based private retirement accounts that he supported along with President Bush in 2000. The WSJ outlines several of McCain's other plans that would put future Social Security benefits at risk. In 2006, McCain also voted for Bush's Social Security Reserve Fund. The proposal would have shifted Social Security’s annual surpluses into a reserve account that would be converted into risky private accounts, which would be adversely impacted by market downturns.

UPDATE 2: Obama sets out seven principles for what he would like to see included in the government's bailout plan.

UPDATE 3: I thought I'd post another classic McCain line on privatizing Social Security, although he continues to maintain his denial.

“Without privatization, I don’t see how you can possibly, over time, make sure that young Americans are able to receive Social Security benefits.”
- John McCain [C-Span Road to the White House, 11/18/2004]

Weekends

2008-09-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

With the apparent political focus my blog has taken lately some may wonder if I've been up to anything else. I want to assure all that I indeed have a life outside of my work and my interest in the upcoming elections. Here is a brief recap of a few recent weekends.

This weekend we went to a play, Mujeres de Juarez, on Friday. The play brought attention to the unsolved atrocities of more than 550 women murdered since 1993 in Ciudad Juárez, across the border from El Paso,Texas.

Saturday we went to Pomona for their Second Saturday monthly Art Walk. We spent some time at a great used book store, had dinner at a little Italian bistro, and then visited the various art spaces in the area. I wore my Obama shirt and you would have thought I was the famous one with all of the positive attention I received from complete strangers. I might just wear it everyday :)

Last week, on September 2, we went to the reception for the exhibition Mammygraphs and Trick Baby at the Wignall Museum. I moderated the artist's talk with Mark Steven Greenfield. I was pleased with the open and frank discussion we were able to have on the history of blackface minstrelsy and racial stereotypes in front of a standing-room only crowd.

On August 22 I led a group of faculty on a day trip to the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. It was part of an in-service day event with the focus of promoting the use of museum resources and visits in curriculum across the campus. Okay, this was counted as work, but it was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Over the weekend of August 16 we went up north to visit my family and attend my sister Melanie and her fiance Bill's wedding shower. It was a great party hosted at my sister Monica and brother-in-law Eric's house with many family members and friends in attendance. There was also plenty of alcohol, which the bride-to-be assures us had nothing to do with her emotional swings from tears to fits of laughter and back again. She was very happy. Here we are at the party.

On August 10 we went to Long Beach just to relax. We strolled around Seaport Village, ate candies we hadn't seen since we were children, and enjoyed the view of the water and sailboats. You can see the Queen Mary on display behind us in the second photo below.

We spent the weekend of August 2 in La Jolla and San Diego. The first day we went to La Jolla cove and had a nice lunch with a view of the ocean. You can see Catherine in the first photo below enjoying the sun at the cove. That night we met two of my good friends, Jesse and Ed (left to right across the table from me in the second photo below), for Mexican food at the beach in Cardiff by the Sea. It was a good time all around. The next day we spent exploring downtown San Diego shops, bookstores and restaurants.

On July 27 we went into Los Angeles to visit the new Broad Contemporary Art Museum, which is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art complex. You can see Catherine at the entrance to the new museum building below. The Broad is a welcome addition to the museum system of the west coast. Here are a couple short videos I took of Richard Serra's Band (2006) and Robert Therrien's Under the Table (1994). Band is made of contoured weathered steel (12'9" x 40' 8 3/8" x 65' 2 3/16"). Afterwards we spent some time at the Farmers Market (this is definitely not the "farmers market" of my small hometown) browsing the shops and having a bite to eat.

Well, I hope this relieves any worries that I don't have a life :)

The Real Numbers: Taxes

2008-09-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

McCain repeatedly, and incorrectly, continues to assert that Obama would raise taxes on the middle class, even though analysts say he would cut taxes on the middle class more than McCain would. In addition, he has greatly misrepresented Obama’s positions on energy and health care (I'll save these for another post).

Please look at your last tax return if you cannot remember the answer to this question. Did you earn more than $250,000 last year? If not, then you will see no increase in your federal income tax under an Obama administration. In fact, you will receive a bigger tax break than you would from McCain.

The bottom 60% of taxpayers would receive a tax reduction between 2.4 to 5.5% under the Obama plan, while they would see less than a 1% cut in taxes under the McCain plan.

To be fair, if you make more than $600,000 a year, you will see a tax increase under the Obama plan as the tax rate is returned to a pre-Bush level similar to the tax policy set by President Ronald Reagan. In the opposite direction McCain reserves his highest tax cut of 4.4% for only the top .1% of the wealthiest in the country.

In summary, the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, state that Obama and McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy.

The math is simple. If you make less than $600,000 a year, you will not see an increase in your taxes. If you make less than $250,000, you will receive a substantially larger tax break from Obama than you would from McCain.

Here is a graph. I'm not sure how much clearer this could be.

The Real Numbers: Legislation

2008-09-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

There were almost too many lies and distortions spoken last week at the RNC to chronicle. I am hopeful (although not expecting) the media will do its job to correct these false statements, but there was one lie so egregious that I cannot let it go by.

Possibly the biggest lie that was repeated in several speeches, including those by Guliani, Palin and McCain, pertained to Barack Obama's legislative record.

Palin:

"There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or even a reform, not even in the state senate." (Cheers, applause.)

Yes, an outright lie.

Obama sponsored 820 laws in the Illinois State Senate.

To date Obama has co-sponsored 427 bills in the U.S. Senate.

The current number of bills that Senator Obama has authored is 152.

You can view Obama's current legislative record here.

And, if you need an example of a major law on reform, what about this one. Obama passed the 2007 Ethics Reform Law, described by many as "the most sweeping package of its kind since Watergate."

If you are wondering about McCain's record, the number of bills currently in congress sponsored by Obama is 129 and for McCain a mere 38.

The level of hubris required by McCain/Palin to lie this blatantly to the American people is appalling.

We cannot allow another four years of the same dishonesty, corruption and ineptness we have witnessed over the last eight. ENOUGH!

Thank You For Reminding Me

2008-08-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

I just watched Barack Obama give a speech that should make anyone proud to be an American. It is good to remember that hope is still possible.

Wow.

Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention was seen by more than 38 million people.

Nielsen Media Research said more people watched Obama speak than watched the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, the final "American Idol" or the Academy Awards this year. Obama talked before a live audience of 80,000 people in Denver.

Obama/Biden Ticket

2008-08-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

A bit on Biden:

In 1966, while in law school, Biden married Neilia Hunter. They had three children, Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III, Robert Hunter, and Naomi. His wife and infant daughter died in a car accident shortly after he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured in the accident, but both eventually made full recoveries. Biden was sworn into office from their bedside.

... Biden's elder son, Beau, was a partner in the Wilmington law firm of Bifferato, Gentilotti, Biden & Balick, LLC and was elected Attorney General of Delaware in 2006. He is a captain in the Delaware Army National Guard, where he serves in the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. He is set to be deployed to Iraq in October, 2008.

Blueberry Tart

2008-08-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

Catherine made her first blueberry tart. Mmm, it was so good. I ate almost the entire thing myself. I look forward to others in my future. Hint, hint ;)

Special Election Briefing: 5 Things You Should Know

2008-08-18T20:57:00.000-07:00