BRICOLAGE

The Ringlebens

2011-10-22T10:50:00.001-05:00

These are two of the people who are responsible for me being here, John and Rosie Ringleben. Rosie's full name is reported to be Katrina (or Kathrina) Rosina Magdalena Von Hohenstein. They immigrated from Germany in the 1840's and they are my great-great-great-grandparents on my maternal grandmother's side of the family.

My brother views genealogy as a pastime for people who are stuck in the past. I think that the more you know about your past, the better you will understand your present. It is just a tool to gain insight. The past fascinates me, but I don't choose to live there.

We believed that we could change ourselves
The past could be undone
But we carry on our backs the burden
Time always reveals
The lonely light of morning
The wound that would not heal

Sarah McLachlan

I like the analogy of our bodies as clothes we shed from one life to the next. I think we know more about our past "wardrobe" when we are children, but as we age/mature, we lose or suppress the memory. Sometimes it's difficult to articulate the feeling of it all for fear of sounding like a nut. I have been working on the family genealogy for many years (off and on), so I have been feeling very "connected" to the past while living in the present and raising the future (so to speak). I feel there is a life thread that connects all souls. I guess my analogy would be that souls are energy (like electricity), and they run like current through a universal grid. Instead of being strictly linear, the grid is dimensional with time and form dimensions. The forms would be dead, alive, human, not human, ghost. I don't know any of this to be true, but it is how I sense that the universe works. It is the personal lens I choose to see through.

Stick 'Em Up Sneak Peek

2011-04-07T23:06:00.003-05:00

Alex Luster and Tony Reyes photo by Hector Luna

I went to the Sneak Peek of Stick 'Em Up! at the River Oaks tonight with Marilyn, Connor, and Kusa. It was GREAT! Alex 'Pr!mo' Luster and Tony Reyes did Houston street artists proud, while also showing the opposition (city government and law enforcement officials) in a fair light. Anyone who knows me is aware that I have been documenting Houston's street art for years now, but this documentary goes beyond the images and introduces Houston to some of the artists (Give Up, Eyesore, and Dual, to name a few). It is a surprising (and surprisingly funny) introduction. The artists are very aware that what they are doing is illegal, but it is fascinating to hear their reasons for being compelled to continue to share their art in this manner. Stick 'Em Up! is heading to the film festival circuit now and I am hoping to see it play at the new Sundance Theater in downtown Houston when it opens. This "sneak peek," as Alex and Tony call it, was the testing of the waters for the film. After the overwhelming positive response in the theater, I can't help but believe that this film will be opening some doors for both Alex and Tony in the very near future. When you get the chance, see this film. Then take a good look around Houston and know that there are some very hard working artists trying to leave their mark (albeit temporary) on Houston.

Randomness

2011-03-20T09:43:00.001-05:00

Black and White by Finijo

I am in that strange place that I find myself occupying on quiet weekend mornings when Connor and Marilyn are still asleep. I have the back door open (gates up for the cats) and I'm listening to Sirius Coffee House, so the mood is mellow. I hung mosquito netting to prevent the squirrels from getting my tomatoes this year, but I haven't secured it yet and the breeze is blowing it in the most beautifully fluid way. I turned to my blog for the first time in weeks and realized that I have many entries started, but not finished. I posted a few of them and will likely post some others, but think I need to start fresh and just start entering things as they happen. I have been hung up on the order of things lately, but that OCD behavior is stopping my flow altogether. I am in a pensive place and thinking about my mortality and my future. I know they are mutually exclusive right up to the point of their intersection. I wonder if my ducks are in a row, if my papers are in one place, my passwords accessible. I wonder a lot of things this morning as I drift in and out of hopeful and borderline morose thoughts. I am neither happy, nor sad, but somehow both. Nothing is linear for me today, so I will bring out some of the posts I never finished and get them off the shelf without actually working on them. In spite of errors in my posts, I try to be a perfectionist when I post and that takes time I don't feel like I have this morning. This is my ode to randomness - enjoy.

Patience (2007) by Finijo

11/28/07 - "The last time I was really productive artistically, was about 13 years ago. At that time I gave up my creative space for a good cause, Connor and Marilyn. I finally settled on a space in the house where I can paint, although it has taken me over a year to figure it out. To be honest, I didn't put much thought into it until recently, but I'm glad now that I have a spot. Not that I am expecting a huge amount of production, but at least it is a place that I can keep set up for when the mood strikes. I have been slowly easing back into the idea of painting again and to be honest, it's a little daunting to go back to it after all this time. Still, I am glad I have a place to work again."

Vibrant Exuberance (2005) by Finijo

2005 - One of the saddest sights you will ever see is an aging stoner chic that passed her prime in the late 70's/early 80's. You can usually spot them, because they have a tendency to cause a stir wherever they go. They have an Anna Nichole Smith quality to their behavior, a vapid coquettism that is strangely surreal. It's like they are simultaneously experiencing a hang over, a head rush and the Rapture. They exude the scent of patchouli and cigarettes and they have raspy voices from the smoking and hard partying they have done for the last 20+ years. They are long past getting by on "cute," but they persist in flirting their way through life, because it worked so well on the security guard at the Stones concert in 1978. With toothless grins, they flash their weathered chests expecting an ovation. It is uncomfortable to watch, but like a living train wreck, you can't look away.

This thought came to me after seeing a woman in the building where I worked at the time. She was making a comi-tragic scene that reminded me of my older sister, Linda. Beautiful Victim (1974) by Gottfried Helwein

No Child Left Behind is a load of horse shit. It's a Texas-sized lie started in Houston by Dr. Rod Paige and perpetuated by George W. Bush, because he apparently never met a lie he could pass up.

This random rage came to me after listening to George W. Bush spout off about the improvements he planned to make to our educational system. It doesn't matter if it was term one or term two - both were nightmares we havenot quite awakened from.

Leadbelly

Huddie Leadbetter was the given name of the blues icon, Leadbelly. He had a voice like gravel and pain...

Please, Governor Neff, Be good 'n' kind
Have mercy on my great long time...
I don't see to save my soul
If I don't get a pardon, try me on a parole...
If I had you, Governor Neff, like you got me
I'd wake up in the mornin' and I'd set you free

This post had to have been started in 1995 around the time of my Napster addiction. I reveled in music I could not hear any other way. I don't care what anyone says, mp3's and Napster was the best thing that could have happened to music at that time. It allowed so many of us to indulge ourselves in out of print and obscure music of the past and new music that otherwise would not have had an avenue for release.

QUOTES FROM THE DEAD

ca. 1995 - At lunch today, I was scrolling through other blogs and I came across one in which the author posted a favorite quote from his grandmother. This is it: Man was given imagination to compensate for what he is not,And a sense of humor to console him for what he is.-Neil Stockman's Letter. It made me laugh out loud, so I stole it for my blog. It did make me think of some of the favorite quotes and sayings from my family.

You'd have had a rosewood casket, if you'd just kept your mouth shut. - Grandma

It's the government, Stupid. - Linda

Damn Communist government. - Linda

Our sister was a wonderfully eccentric woman with some definite, albeit odd (and sometimes humorous) ideas that vacillated between paranoia and reality. I miss her and Grandma so much, still. Grandma's quote has a story that goes along with it, but I will leave it to your imagination.

I still have about 20 more posts that I may throw out here randomly the next time I feel like cleaning house.

London - Day 1

2010-10-30T22:18:00.000-05:00

Sunrise Over London by Finijo

I arrived at Heathrow as the sun came up. After 18 long hours, I finally reached my destination via Calgary. Even though it was a long trip, I enjoyed every bit of it thoroughly. From the five hours spent in the Calgary airport, to the in flight movies, to my seat next to the toilet on the plane. Every minute of my trip was an adventure. London Ghosts by Finijo

From Heathrow, I took the Underground Picadilly Line to Russell Square, I walked a couple of blocks to my hotel, the Tavistock in Bloomsbury. It was the perfect location, near the British Museum and everything seemed to be just a quick bus/metro ride or walk from Tavistock Square. After a brisk walk on my first crisp night in London, Andy and I had a lovely dinner at Cosmoba.

Street Art - Ack and Weah

2010-09-04T12:14:00.001-05:00

Weah at Dusk (and Sober?) by Finijo

I got out and took some shots of street art around Montrose and on Almeda Rd. at X L Parts. I love that building because it is covered with a variety of artists' work. There are at least 10 artists who have adorned this building with their talent.

Ack! at Dusk by Finijo

I love the colors and it is especially vibrant at dusk and dawn. The trick is getting the shot before the sun goes down. Ack's work is distinct, colorful, and full of humor. Once you are introduced to his characters, you will always recognize a work by Ack. Documenting street art in Houston is one of my favorite things to do - seriously. There is so much happening all the time.

Two Against One by Finijo

If you open your eyes and really look at Houston, you will see that there is an incredibly vibrant art movement afoot. I am always disappointed when people say, "Yeah, I kind of saw it, but I didn't really look at it," when I am describing a new piece I have come across.

Weah's Fire Breather by Finijo

This piece by Weah (like most of his work) is a wonderfully complex figure comprised of organic and geometric shapes. I can see both an Asian and the Aztec influence and it is positively stunning to me.

Weah vs. Ack by Finijo

It's overexposed, but you can see the full work here. Where else do you find a collaborative piece in such disparate styles? I think the juxtaposition of work by these two artists is a wonderful visual analogy of Houston. There is beauty and humor in the mix and I feel very lucky to be in Houston while the artistic energy is flowing so freely. I can't imagine what Houston would be like if it stops.

Eyecon by Eyesore

2010-09-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

Eyecon in Orange and Blue by Eyesore

For Karim's birthday, I contacted Eyesore and asked him if he would be willing to do a commissioned piece. He said he would and the result is magnificent. It was a great experience meeting the artist and his daughter. Karim LOVES the finished product and now owns his first piece of original art.

Mixed Media Workshop

2010-08-21T18:52:00.000-05:00

Falling In Love With Someone by Finijo

I went to the Mixed Media Workshop at Mariposa Studio this afternoon and the photo above shows what I churned out in about 2 hours. I enjoyed the workshop and Jodie and David Gonzales inspire creativity. Lately, I have been having trouble initiating projects at home, but going to the workshops at Mariposa seems to have jump started my creative juices. I hope some of you decide to join me at Mariposa, because the experience is great for beginners and experienced artists alike. The next workshop is another Chagall and Chardonnay, this Thursday, August 26th.

The piece includes silk flowers, scrap book paper, silver leaf, circuitry from a defunct keyboard, produce netting, a bug trapped in wax from Hurricane Ike, and bees wax.

Symbol

2010-08-17T16:59:00.003-05:00

I saw this symbol on Yahoo News today and the title of the article was: Do You Know What This Symbol Means? It was immediately clear to me that this is the symbol for "Your Ass Is Getting Fat." The article mentioned that the symbol is "idiot proof," so I read further and found that it is , in fact, the warning symbol for low tire pressure. I am an idiot :(

All My Friends Are Superheroes

2010-08-14T11:51:00.005-05:00

I just finished reading All My Friends are Superheroes by Andrew Kaufman this morning. I just started reading it last night. It is a very short book, 108 pages, and it is wonderful. Kaufman wrote a quirky, funny little book. It is also romantic and a little sad. I would love to see the characters of the book populate a TV series or a series of movies. It wouldn't be like Iron Man or Batman, because the superheroes are all fairly average people who have discovered the thing about them that makes them extraordinary. For some it is a blessing, for others a curse, and for the reader, it is a couple of hours of reading joy.

Response from ADL

2010-08-13T23:04:00.003-05:00

Tolerance Bridge - Houston, Texas

Fri, August 13, 2010 10:06:22 PM

Re: Your inquiry regarding ADL position on Islamic Community Center at Ground Zero
From: Karen West View Contact
To: "Bernstein, Jodi"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ms. Bernstein,

I appreciate your response to my inquiry. Before writing my message to the ADL, I read the ADL's complete original statement. I read it again when you sent me the link and must say, while I understand the ADL's position on the subject, I am not in agreement for the reasons that I previously stated.

Again, I do appreciate that you took the time respond.

Karen West

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Bernstein, Jodi"
To: finijo@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, August 10, 2010 10:56:18 AM
Subject: Your inquiry regarding ADL position on Islamic Community Center at Ground Zero

Dear Ms. West:

On behalf of the Southwest Region of the Anti-Defamation League, thank you for your input regarding ADL’s position on the proposed Islamic Community Center near Ground Zero. As you may have heard, the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission has determined not to designate the site as a landmark, clearing the way for the proposed Islamic Community Center is to be built. In light of this development, it is important for the community – and the extended community of interested parties around the country -- to move forward in a positive way.

If you have not yet read ADL’s full position, we encourage you to read it and the other articles below.

The complete original ADL statement.

Abraham Foxman’s Huffington Post article, The Mosque at Ground Zero

A Wall Street Journal article entitled “WTC Mosque, Meet the Auschwitz Nuns; Pope John Paul offers a model of tolerance for a heated controversy.”

We hope you will continue to keep abreast of ADL news, programs and services at the national website, www.adl.org. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.

Jodi Bernstein
Senior Associate Director
Anti-Defamation League - Southwest Region
4635 Southwest Freeway, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77027
Ph. 713-627-3490 Ext. 124
Fax 713-627-2011
jodi.bernstein@adl.org

Anti-Defamation League Errs

2010-08-08T12:42:00.005-05:00

I am absolutely mortified by the stance the ADL has taken against the building of the Islamic cultural center near ground zero in New York City. If ever there was a way to show the terrorists who perpetrated the horror of 9/11, it would be to stand up proudly and show them that we will not only rebuild, but we will do so with tolerance and love. There is no other weapon that will defeat the hate that spawns terrorism - period. After 10 years of fighting, bloodshed, and loss of life, we must face that taking arms will not solve the problem of terrorism. It is time we tried something different, something radical - the use of ideas, tolerance, and understanding.

Blocking the Islamic cultural center is short sighted at the very least, but it is at it's essence an act of religious intolerance. Opposition to the Islamic cultural center is as ludicrous as opposition to a Catholic church near the memorial at the site of the Murrah Federal Building bombing by Timothy McVeigh, based on his Catholic upbringing. Fear is not the way forward, it is the way to stay mired in an untenable position.

Because I cannot put it better myself I am quoting Fareed Zakaria in the article in Newsweek:

The ADL’s mission statement says it seeks “to put an end forever to unjust and
unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens.” But
Abraham Foxman, the head of the ADL, explained that we must all respect the
feelings of the 9/11 families, even if they are prejudiced feelings. “Their
anguish entitles them to positions that others would categorize as irrational or
bigoted,” he said. First, the 9/11 families have mixed views on this mosque.
There were, after all, dozens of Muslims killed at the World Trade Center. Do
their feelings count? But more important, does Foxman believe that bigotry is OK
if people think they’re victims? Does the anguish of Palestinians, then, entitle
them to be anti-Semitic?

What I can (and did) do is to contact the ADL and voice my disappointment in the shameful position they took when they put aside the mission of their organization to pander to fear and hatred. I am not unsympathetic to the pain that 9/11 caused the families, but I do not agree with their stance on this issue. This is the message I sent the ADL:

My father is Jewish and my mother is Catholic. I have been Buddhist for more
than 20 years. In my life and in my home I practice religious tolerance and I
have believed my whole life that the ADL stood for the principles that I was
raised with and that this country was founded on. The stance taken by the ADL
against the building of the Islamic cultural center in New York is wrong. It is
an example of fear based religious intolerance, which I have always believed the
ADL to be fighting. Shame on the ADL for not practicing as it has preached. I
truly hope that this decision will be rectified.

Fareed Zakaria returned both the plaque and the $10,000 honorarium he received from the ADL in 2005 when he was awarded the Hubert H. Humphrey First Amendment Freedoms Prize. Zakaria's return of the award and the money will likely subject him to ridicule and possibly cost him professionally and financially, but he used his First Amendment right to speak his conscience in a very public way. In my small way, I voice my solidarity.

Crowded House Show

2010-08-05T15:11:00.001-05:00

This is video that I shot of Neil Finn singing Private Universe at the fantastic Crowded House show at Stubbs in Austin, Texas. Marilyn and I got to meet Neil Finn and even got a photo with him. Then we got to see the band in action and were enthralled with the show. This was Marilyn's first time seeing them live, but I was lucky enough to see them in 1991 when they played Houston. We braved the heat of a sultry August night in Austin and sweat buckets for the wonderful experience of seeing Neil Finn and Crowded House. I would do it again, given the chance.

Neil Finn has been the source of tears twice in my life. The first was on my 16th birthday when I wept silently on an air plane as I was headed to Little Rock to see family and lamented the fact that I would miss the Split Enz show at Numbers that night. The second time I cried was 1996 when I was freshly out of the hospital after being diagnosed with Lupus and heard the news that Crowded House had disbanded. It just made me very sad to think that I would not have the opportunity to see them live again. They were so very good during this show that I was nothing but a grinning fool from the moment we snapped the photo with Neil Finn till I fell asleep that night back at the hotel room.

The Austin Motel

2010-08-04T15:30:00.001-05:00

Polkadot Surprise Room 145 by Finijo

We stayed at the Austin Motel when we came to Austin for the Crowded House show at Stubbs. It is truly a funky and strange hotel. Each room is different and each one has a theme. We stayed in the Polkadot Surprise room with wall paper from 1969. The beds had odd turquoise chenille bed spreads and there were multicolored dingle berries on the terry cloth rugs at the foot of each bed.

Yellow Flowers by Finijo

There was original art in the room that was surely purchased at a yard sale or second hand shop, but it added to the, ahem...ambiance. Each and every room is different and spectacularly kitsch. We were relieved to find that the beds were comfortable and welcome after sweating ourselves silly at Stubbs.

Polkadot Bathroom by Finijo

The bathroom is very old fashioned and the towels are the opposite of luxurious, but we truly enjoyed it. The whole place as a very Austin feel to it. Eclectic and leaning towards hippie-esque. You start to get the vibe when you enter the office to check in and smell incense as you peruse the collection of chachkies and odd collectibles that serve as interior design.

Blue Impressionism by Finijo

Marilyn and I both agreed that we would reframe the art in the room and hang it. This painting was the hands down favorite. No telling who the artist is, but we would like to thank him/her for making us smile. The motel set the mood for our visit to Austin and at $100.00 even (they do not accept discounts), we feel like we got our money's worth.

Painted Wood by Finijo

Notice the painted wood dresser and desk resting on the saltillo tile. While you are at it, don't miss the TV from the 1990's and the polkadot tin can trash can. We would definitely stay at the Austin Motel again in the future, but we are thinking that we will spring for one of the suites that overlook the hotel pool next time. Very cool vibe and very nice employees - we enjoyed our stay here.

Chagall and Chardonnay

2010-07-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Love Floats by Finijo

I had a good birthday week this year. I treated myself to a workshop at Mariposa Studio, Chagall and Chardonnay. It was great to sit around and paint with a group of strangers who all just wanted to create something. There were all levels of experience and ability in the room and more importantly, everyone had a good time. I will go again when they have the multimedia workshop in August. This is the little painting I produced during the workshop. It's nothing like a Chagall, I think I had some subconscious things to work out through my painting. I am not sure if it's done or not, but it felt good to exercise (and exorcise) my creativity.

156 Gallon Rain Barrel (YAY!!!)

2010-05-15T14:07:00.004-05:00

We finally bought a rain barrel - a purchase that has been on our minds for 4 years. I am really excited and can't wait for it to arrive.

I still want two more (smaller and more aesthetically pleasing) for the front of the house, but this is the largest one at a reasonable price we could find. I am very excited. It is collapsible, so if a hurricane comes, we can break it down. It is also 2 - 3 times the size of the rain barrels that I have previously found. I have the perfect place for it under a seam in our roof that turns into a waterfall whenever it rains. It also puts it in close proximity to our patio, which means easier access to water for our vegetables and herbs.

It feels like we are making strides in our efforts to be green. We still use our composter faithfully and I am amazed at how we keep putting food and organic debris into it (for 3 years now) and have never taken anything out of it, yet it still does not get full. The smell is self contained and the critters that live inside are content to live their life of ease and stay put, since they are regularly fed.

These are the specs on the Rain Barrel from the seller and you can find it on Ebay for about $100.00 including shipping.

Going Green has never been so easy!

The 156 Gallon Collapsible Rain Water Barrel is a fantastic way to recycle naturally occurring rainwater for use with your lawn and garden. Place it beneath your downspout to collect water from your roof and gutters, and attach a hose to the bottom to distribute the freshly collected water at your leisure.

Product Features:

* Collapses for storage
* No tools required, assembles in minutes
* Economical and environmentally friendly
* 156 gallon capacity
* Zip open lid for dipping
* Heavy duty UV resistant vinyl
* Easy on-off dual tap spout for use with included clear 6 foot hose, or convert to use with a standard garden hose

Specifications :

* Weight:13 lbs
* Assembled Dimensions: 31.5" Diameter x 47 "H
* Includes
* 156 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel
* Carry Bag
* 6 foot clear hose

UPDATE 03/20/11 - I got rid of the rain barrel yesterday during yard maintenance. While it collects beautifully and never leaked a bit, it kept tipping over. My yard is not flat enough where I need it. I would recommend it for someone who is willing to level the ground before setting it up. I am now looking for a hard plastic model and think I will pick one up from Whole Foods for about $120.00.

Plop

2010-05-13T23:50:00.000-05:00

Karim's Plop by Finijo

Karim is renovating his new house and I arrived in time to see a worker shoveling cement into the strange downstairs bathroom (it is actually below floor level) through the bathroom window. It actually looks like what I imagine a dinosaur plop would look like. I can't wait to see how the house turns out.

Eclectic Menagerie Park

2010-03-14T18:24:00.012-05:00

Armadillo by Finijo

Texas Pipe & Supply is just off 288 South past Almeda Road. The business has sponsored this sculpture park since 1999. The website for the business says the sculptures are done by "a local artist," but they don't list the artist by name.

Long Armadillo by Finijo

My favorite piece is the armadillo. The artist used such incredible detail on this piece from the plates on its back to the expression on the armadillo's face. The statues in this park are on a grand scale and remind me of the roadside attractions that used to be so prevalent when we were kids.

Roadrunner by Finijo

There is a variety of sculpture from animals and insects to rockets and air planes. The picture above depects the roadrunner, a spider and a rocket.

Three Cows by Finijo

Next to a load of pipe is one of the more colorful additions to the park. The three cows on the raised platform look like art cows.

Grasshopper by Finijo

This is a zebra striped grasshopper with a white rhinor and an eagle in the background. I think the reason I enjoy seeing this odd menagerie so much is because it is just so "Texas." You can find odd roadside attractions all over America, but the scale of this project is grand enough to fill the wide open spaces that are Texas.

Almeda Abandoned

2010-02-08T17:59:00.003-06:00

Spanish Village on Almeda by Finijo

I shot some urban decay on Almeda next to the Spanish Village Restaurant. There are several gutted buildings along that road that are very attractive to an urbex with a camera. I only wish I was able to actually get inside the building.

Inside the Walls by Finijo

I was able to get this shot only by standing up on some debris and shooting blindly over the wall. I still can't figure out exactly what I am looking at here. The two staircases mirror each other and are interesting, but I have no idea what this chamber is.

Reflective Decay by Finijo

I had to aim through a crack in the padlocked doors to get this shot. I think it is my favorite of the set. Even in the middle of a roofless, gutted building, art can be found. What looks like graffiti is a message to anyone who ventures inside these old walls - Unity.

Daniel Anguilu

2010-02-06T19:35:00.004-06:00

Jungle photo by Finijo

I have been taking a lot of photos of the art around Houston's streets over the last few years, and I have found many great artists. Daniel Anguilu's aerosol murals are some of the best I have seen in Houston. Anguilu started as a graffiti artist, but has moved far beyond that beginning with a style that transcends graffiti and puts him into the realm of a fine artist.

Bridge photo by Finijo

I started to notice his work all over Midtown, Montrose, and the East End, and I am compelled to photograph his work wherever I find it. I am struck by the themes in his work as much as his style of painting. I am fascinated by his juxtaposition of the urban scenes built into the animals he paints.

Bridge by Nouveau photo by Finijo

Anguilu uses angular and organic forms to construct the animals in his aerosol murals. In one video made about him, he mentioned an Aztec influence. All of the elements he uses make his style unique and easy to recognize. I am posting a few of his murals here, but there are many more around the city that I haven't had the chance to shoot - yet.

El Derecha De Vivir En Paz photo by Finijo

While driving in Midtown I found this mural on the side of A & S Automotive Repair. I stopped to take pictures and a mechanic came out to talk to me. He handed me a post card for The Next Door Art Gallery showing Daniel Anguilu and advertising his show on January 21, 2010. I was crestfallen when I realized that I had missed the show by three week.

Survivor photo by Finijo

I don't actually know the name of his murals, but I tried to pull the names off of articles on the Internet or from the captions he sometimes includes in his work. This mural (found on the other side of A & S Automotive Repair) has a breast cancer ribbon and depicts what seems to me to be phoenix. There are links below for articles and video talking about this incredible artist and his work.

http://www.menobodyknows.com/nobodyblog/?p=1480

http://www.houstonpress.com/2000-07-20/news/murals-and-the-mind-police/

http://www.latismo.com/daniel-anguilu.html

Erick Going Going Gonzalez

2010-02-05T18:07:00.000-06:00

Mural's Demise by Finijo

I was in Midtown today and my heart sank when I saw what has become of Erick's mural. I knew it was supposed to be temporary, but I had hoped that somehow the owner of the building would have a change of heart. This is a link to a video of the artist that I found when I was trying to make sure I was spelling his last name correctly. The cool thing about it (aside from the positive changes the school had on him) is that the photos of him painting and the photos of the mural in the video are all my work. Erick told me he wanted them, but I had no idea what he would be doing with them. I am pleased with how they were used, but wish he had let me know :) .

Armory Art

2010-02-01T19:42:00.001-06:00

Houston Armory by Finijo

The Houston Armory is slated to become the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. I am glad that the City of Houston has found a way to reuse this building, instead of just letting it fade away into oblivion, as so often happens.

Armory Detail by Finijo

I love the relief details on the building. Embellishments like these are just not done anymore, and they add so much to the beauty of the building. The remodel is supposed to be done using green building principles. I know the ribbon cutting ceremony was about a year ago, so I hope they get started on construction soon.

Back of the Armory by Finijo

The back of the Armory has been decorated a little more recently. I know it will all disappear when the remodeling is complete and the museum opens, but I enjoyed the splash of color on such a dull surface on such a dreary day.

Armory Art Detail by Finijo

Upon closer inspection I found some wheat pasting in addition to the spray paint work. The face I love so much by Eyesore, and a fragment of Dual left behind.

Mt. Caramel Missionary Baptist Church

2010-01-31T19:26:00.000-06:00

Mt. Caramel Missionary Baptist Church by Finijo

I was driving through Midtown and found a scene that made me a little sad - what is left of the Mt. Caramel Missionary Baptist Church. The steps look almost freshly painted, but there is nothing left of the foundation or the building. The area is fenced off, but the historical marker still stands as testament to the importance that this church once held in the part of town known as Freedman's Town. It looks as though construction may start on rebuilding the church at any time, but there is almost a full lawn of grass that has grown over the site, so perhaps it is not to be. I would hate to think of a Starbucks or another group of townhouses taking its place.

Downtown Perspective

2010-01-30T21:09:00.000-06:00

Downtown Perspective by Finijo

I was driving all over the city today for work. It was overcast, but there was something about the day that foretold the coming of Spring. Maybe it was wishful thinking or the way driving in the city makes me feel. I sometimes think I am in the minority in my feeling that driving in downtown Houston is fun.

Vision Auto Glass

2010-01-29T22:15:00.000-06:00

Vision Auto Glass by Finijo

I had to replace my window after the freeze, because the little cracks caused by flying rocks spread when I turned on the defrost. I ended up with a three foot crack going across the windshield and I had to get the car inspected at the end of the month.

Wonderful Window by Finijo

The two brothers who own the business came to my home, replaced the window in under an hour and did a great job of it. They were professional and friendly and the cost was a flat $125.00 for the windshield and the labor. If I had known how painless the replacement would be, I would have had it taken care of much sooner. I definitely recommend Vision Auto Glass (the number is on the side of their truck in the photo above).

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way...

2010-01-28T23:28:00.005-06:00

Soccer Balls Are Dangerous by Finijo

So...I got hit by a soccer ball on the freeway while I was driving to an appointment today. Yup - a soccer ball flew up over the soccer pitch that I did not know existed just above 288 and I saw it coming. It was ahead of me, but I was doing 60 mph and I saw it arc over the freeway, land and then bounce across three lanes of traffic until it hit my passenger side fender and knocked the mirror out of the casing without breaking the casing.

Steel Belted Tunnel by Finijo

I spent the rest of the day working on getting the mirror fixed and going to different repair shops to see if they had the part. The last time I gave up my work car for repairs, I didn't see it again for 5 weeks. I managed to take some photos while I was waiting for repairmen.

Treadstone by Finijo

Mechanic shops smell like chemical and rubber hell, but they offer up some unique opportunities for photography. I got some strange looks, but it was a fun way to entertain myself amidst the cacophony and medley of unpleasant odors.

Transformers

2010-01-25T22:51:00.001-06:00

Transformers I by Finijo

I took these shots while sitting in the Panera Bakery on Post Oak (I think). I liked the way the transformers looked like something from an old science fiction movie and also how they had an abstract feel when viewed through the windows. The fluting and the shape make me think of some type of sacred urn. I took the pictures, so that I could one day try to incorporate the image into an abstract painting. I thought about finding a poem about transformation to add to this post, but I decided to include one of my favorite Buddhist concepts, instead. It is the concept of hendoku iyaku - turning poison into medicine.

Transformers II by Finijo

Changing Poison into Medicine

SGI members often speak of "turning poison into medicine" when they describe how their Buddhist practice has enabled them to transform a difficult, negative or painful situation into something positive.

In its most fundamental sense, "changing poison into medicine" refers to the transformation of deluded impulses into enlightenment. The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom, attributed to the third-century Indian Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, compares the Lotus Sutra to "a great physician who changes poison into medicine." This is because the Lotus Sutra opens the possibility of enlightenment to people whose arrogance and complacency had caused them to "scorch the seeds of Buddhahood." In earlier sutras such people had been condemned as being incapable of becoming Buddhas. An important implication of this principle, thus, is that there is no one who is beyond redemption.

In his writing, "On First Hearing the Teaching of the Supreme Vehicle," Nichiren develops this idea, stating that by using the power of the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one can transform the three paths of deluded impulses, karma and suffering into the three virtues of the Buddha, i.e., the Dharma body, wisdom and emancipation.

This can be understood to mean that any unfavorable situation can be changed into a source of value. More fundamentally, it is by challenging and overcoming painful circumstances that we grow as human beings.

How we respond to life's inevitable sufferings is the key. Negative, painful experiences are often necessary to motivate us. One Buddhist scripture describes illness as awakening the desire to seek the truth. Likewise, people have been inspired to a lifetime commitment to peace and justice by their experience of war and injustice.

The process of changing poison into medicine begins when we approach difficult experiences as an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and to strengthen and develop our courage and compassion. The more we are able to do this, the more we are able to grow in vitality and wisdom and realize a truly expansive state of life.

Suffering can thus serve as a springboard for a deeper experience of happiness. From the perspective of Buddhism, inherent in all negative experiences is this profound positive potential. However, if we are defeated by suffering or respond to challenging circumstances in negative and destructive ways, the original "poison" is not transformed but remains poison.

Buddhism teaches that suffering derives from karma, the causes that we ourselves have created. The Buddhist teaching of karma is one of personal responsibility. It is therefore our responsibility to transform sufferings into value-creating experiences. The Buddhist view of karma is not fixed or fatalistic--even the most deeply entrenched karmic patterns can be transformed.

By taking a difficult situation--illness, unemployment, bereavement, betrayal--and using it as an opportunity to deepen our sense of personal responsibility, we can gain and develop the kind of self-knowledge from which benefit flows. Buddhism teaches that self-knowledge ultimately is awareness of our own infinite potential, our capacity for inner strength, wisdom and compassion. This infinite potential is referred to as our "Buddha nature."

The original meaning of the phrase "to turn poison into medicine" relates to this level of self-knowledge.

In the "Belief and Understanding" chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Subhuti and others of the Buddha's long-time disciples respond to the prophecy that another disciple, Shariputra, will attain the ultimate enlightenment. The disciples admit that they had long ago given up on becoming Buddhas themselves, but that on hearing the teaching of the Lotus Sutra they renounced their earlier stance of resignation and spiritual laziness. "[T]heir minds were moved as seldom before and danced for joy." Nagarjuna and T'ien-t'ai (538--597) therefore compare the Buddha to a good doctor capable of turning poison (the laziness and resignation of the aged disciples) into medicine (a sincere aspiration for the ultimate enlightenment of Buddhahood).

This teaching of the possibility of profound trans-formation makes Buddhism a deeply optimistic philosophy. This optimism propels Buddhists as they seek to transform the negative and destructive tendencies within their lives as well as those in society and the world at large.

[Courtesy, January 2002 SGI Quarterly]

Lunar New Year Festival

2010-01-24T22:41:00.000-06:00

For Marilyn's birthday, we went to the Lunar New Year festival at Tien Tao Temple and David and Katie met us there. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and I got some good photos and video at the temple. When Dave and I went the last time, we didn't explore as much as we might have, so it was good to get a chance to see the secondary temple and the memorial to those who died during and after the Vietnam war. After the festival, we went to lunch at Kim Son and on to the Martin Zet: Necessity exhibit at The Station Museum. This was a very good Sunday.

Sammy's Third Birthday

2010-01-23T22:49:00.000-06:00

Sammy had his third birthday and the whole family turned out for the occasion. Like Ada, he is a Dora the Explorer fan and his party was themed appropriately for him. I think the singing of Happy Birthday was unpleasant for him...perhaps we were not in key. After his birthday party, we met up with Mom and Dad for Marilyn's birthday dinner. It was a very busy, but lovely day.

Thaw

2010-01-21T23:24:00.000-06:00

Thaw by Finijo

A trip to the Arboretum signifies what may be a thaw from the deep freeze. I can't be certain if the warmth will be sustained, as winter is an unpredictable season bringing a biting and fickle chill to the air. Still, it was surprising and good to feel that familiar warmth.

X Marks the Spot by Finijo

2010-01-19T23:43:00.001-06:00

Connor passed his belt test last night and is now the proud owner of a black belt with not one, but TWO black stripes. We are very proud that he has stuck with his training and is only about a year away from being able to test for his black belt. Keep practicing, Con! We know you can do it :)

Tea On A Sunny Afternoon

2010-01-12T18:52:00.000-06:00

Crow on Table by Finijo

We had the first break in the weather in a couple of weeks and I got the chance to sit outside at La Madeleine and drink some tea with Karim in the warm afternoon sun. I can't seem to help myself whenever there are birds around, I am compelled to feed them. We were surrounded by grackles and crows, and this guy was the star of the bunch.

China Bear and Bonsai China Art

2010-01-11T23:10:00.002-06:00

Quan Yin by Finijo

Sky and I met up for a photo shoot yesterday after I dropped David off. I had in mind a weird place I see along I-45 North when I am working in that area, but we had to improvise. The place I was looking for seems to be a storage yard for carnival rides as I pass it on the freeway, but all of the rides were gone, so we went to my backup location, China Bear.

Sky Shoots the Fountain by Finijo

I have passed China Bear numerous times as I fly by on I-45, but it is unclear exactly what it is until you enter the rather large compound. It turns out that China Bear is a Chinese buffet restaurant with a twist. It is attached to a rather extensive art gallery and bonsai nursery. Judging from the online reviews, the food is so-so, but the contents of the art store are incredible. I love this shot of Sky, she looked very French and artistic taking photos in her black coat and jeans.

Koi and Fall by Finijo

A large statue of Quan Yin rests between the restaurant entrance and the bonsai garden, and a fountain trails all around the building and is very well stocked with Koi. Because of the cold, they all seemed to huddle around the entrance near one of several water falls. We did not lack for a variety of interesting things to shoot before entering the building.

Showroom by Finijo

Sky and I were completely unprepared for what we found when we entered China Bear. We could see a store off to the left side of the lobby, and I expected to find the typical Chinese souvenirs you might find in a restaurant gift shop, but as we walked through the store, we found several large show rooms connected one after the other. One was two stories tall and contained a large crystal chandelier hanging over all of the art and statuary on display.

Old Man by Finijo

There seemed to be several types of art that the purveyors of this establishment favored, statues, paintings, and things made of either natural stone or wood. One of the most interesting to me was the collection of wooden statues and furniture. Most of the pieces appeared to be carved from burled wood and roots. I loved the face on this old man, who looks like he was carved from a thick tree trunk.

Peacock by Finijo

This peacock is about my height, and seems to be carved out of an intricate root system of some ancient tree. There is also a chair sitting in front of the peacock, also carved out of a root system of a tree. There were geodes larger than I had seen before, that made me wonder if they were real or manufactured. Much of the art and artifacts found in this strange gallery was on sale for thousands of dollars. There was no rhyme or reason to the items, so we saw antique dulcimers along side cheap paper fans.

Last Supper in Tin by Finijo

Sprinkled throughout the showrooms were numerous depictions of The Last Supper in a variety of mediums. I have seen oil paintings and pressed cardboard prints of this scene before, but this was the first time I ever saw The Last Supper pressed into tin and painted -pretty tacky, but I am sure there is a buyer out there who will love it.

Bad Art by Finijo

This is one of the stranger finds in the very eclectic art collection. This picture looks like something that should be sold on the side of the road out of the back of a van along with some velvet paintings of Elvis and panthers. The collection was so vast and strange that I half expected an old Chinese man in a Fu Manchu mustache to step out from behind one of the statues and offer me a mogwai.

Strangelove by Finijo

We stepped outside one of the showrooms and walked along the bridges and walkways around the winding fountain and I discovered this odd pair just before we wound down our shoot and went to Kubo's for sushi. I'm not even sure what these guys are supposed to be, but they were hidden, along with some strange little statues of penguins, under some bushes in the garden area. I think we could visit this place twenty more times and find new and strange things to photograph each visit. I hope Sky posts her photos, this time. I would love to see what she was able to capture on this outing (hint hint ;) ).

Tien Tao Temple

2010-01-10T11:20:00.000-06:00

Quan Yin and Fountain by Finijo

I had breakfast with David today at and we drove through the warehouse district after we finished up at Little Barnaby's. It had been a while since we met up at LB's, so it was really good to see everyone again.

Temple Entrance by Finijo

As we were driving near downtown, I noticed the top of a building that looked like it could either be a temple or a Chinese restaurant. We doubled back and were amazed at the gorgeous Taoist temple we found. You could smell the incense as we approached the door.

Taoist Diety by Finijo

The temple is painted in rich reds and gold and there are statues throughout the temple and the grounds. The door was open so we entered and were awestruck at how much there was to take in. Because the doors were open, it was actually colder inside the temple than it was outside, and it was a frigid morning.

Dieties by Finijo

I have never seen so many deities featured in a temple before. They were grouped all around the temple and it was clear that they were set up in meaningful vignettes, but I don't know enough about Taoism to understand the meaning behind the scenes depicted.

Number 41 Fortune by Finijo

We chatted a bit with the caretaker who sat bundled up behind a desk reading a Chinese newspaper. He said his English was not very good, but he allowed me to choose a stick from a wooden cup. I chose # 41, which corresponded to a box in cubicle and a piece of paper that held my fortune. He tried to translate, but it was difficult. He said something about a moon and having "very good fortune." It was interesting, because I never knew that particular ritual existed.

Temple Incense by Finijo

The ceiling was covered with huge coils of incense. We didn't recognize what they at first, thinking they were just decorative, but in the frigid air, we could see the smoky perfume they emitted. Stumbling upon the Tien Tao Temple was a wonderful surprise find on a cold and beautiful morning.

Vietopia

2010-01-09T21:40:00.002-06:00

Vietopia by Finijo

I met Karim, Edward, and Louis at Vietopia for dinner and found that the freeze the night before gave an added dimension to the Tuscan style fountain out front. I enjoyed the bun and the company, but was riveted by the sight of the frosty fountain.

Frozen Fountain by Finijo

The sight of the frozen fountain with the water still flowing gave it macro-glacial feel with little ice floes at the base of the fountain. Funny how living in a mostly tropical climate can make what might be deemed a nuisance in a northern state, a thing of fascinating beauty when it happens in Houston.

Give Up

2010-01-06T21:29:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite street artists, Give Up, struck again. I found this one tucked off to the side on an overpass at the on ramp of 288. I don't know what was in that spot before "give up," but it has already been buffed, so I doubt this offering will be up for long.

Yori Yori

2010-01-05T22:08:00.001-06:00

Yori Yori by Long T.

I usually think to take pictures wherever I go, but for some reason it slipped my mind when I went to Yori Yori, a Korean cafe in food court of the Super H Mart. I got lucky and Long T. gave me permission to use his photos. I have no basis to judge this restaurant, because it was my first taste of Korean food, but the reviews I read on line list this little eatery as being "authentic."

Pork Bulgogi with Kimchee by Long T.

I got the pork bulgogi, which came with white rice and the self-serve kim chee. The meal was more than filling and the kim chee was a very nice surprise, because it included not only the cabbage variety, but also bean sprout kim chee and a tasty spicy potato dish, as well. Bulgogi looked like it should be a spicy dish, but instead it was rather sweet. I think I would like to try another Korean restaurant so I will have something to compare it to, but for being in a food court, the food was pretty good, although it was a little greasy for my taste.

May's Beads

2010-01-04T13:47:00.001-06:00

Turquoise Agate by Finijo

I found a great new store on Harwin for wholesale beads, May's Beads and Jewelry at 9818 Harwin Drive. This store has EVERYTHING. This is the largest bead selection I have seen in one store, and the prices are really low.

Pink Beads by Finijo

May's has every conceivable type of bead, from crystal and glass to coral, wood, and natural stone. Every color, shape, size, and texture. For anyone who enjoys beading, May's is a must.

Bargain Beads by Finijo

There are tables full of bargain beads. It is a bit of a chore to try to untangle them, but the prices and variety make the effort worthwhile.

Pendants by Finijo

The best find were the tables full of natural stone pendants. They are absolutely beautiful and they have a good selection of claps and findings. Their chain selection is lacking, but overall May's is fantastic for gift giving and jewelry making.

Cafe Kubo's Sushi

2010-01-03T20:58:00.000-06:00

Combo Roll B by Finijo

GREAT new sushi place in Chinatown. It's in a really nice new strip center on 9889 Bellaire Blvd. Ste. 234. The food is really good and the prices are super low. I was introduced to Cafe Kubo's Sushi by Mrs. Foster, a Japanese woman who belongs to my Buddhist organization. She is really picky about Japanese food, so I knew it had to be good. My favorite is the Roll Combo B at $8.49, you get a California Roll (8 Pieces), a Spicy Tuna Roll (8 Pieces), and Crunchy Eel Roll (4 pieces). You can see in the photo that the presentation is artful, and they use three colors of roe - red, green, and black.

Bento by Finijo

Connor likes the Chicken Teriyaki bento box, which is a steal at $6.99. It includes salad, pickle, broccoli, a dumpling, rice and edamame. The atmosphere is very casual and brightly colored in green, orange, and white. There is even a couch and cushy chairs, if you feel like just having coffee or tea with friends. If the great food, funky atmosphere, and low prices weren't enough, Cafe Kubo's also has free wi-fi. It's no wonder that I have been back almost weekly since I was introduced to this little gem.

Ramune

2010-01-02T15:10:00.001-06:00

Ramune Marble by Finijo

This is a macro of the marble that is found in Ramune (there is an accent over the e), a carbonated beverage from Japan. The marble doesn't seem to block the flow of liquid, nor does it come out, unless you break the bottle. The bottle has indentations that look like eyes and the marble settles between them like a nose. I was told that it tastes something like sprite. Wikipedia has a brief article about it here.

Ramune by Finijo

I also found while researching the product that people collect the marbles and one woman was selling jewelry made from the marbles on line. The drink is available in the US at Japanese restaurants and grocery stores. I was introduced to the drink at Kubo's - a sushi cafe on Corporate between Bellaire Blvd. and Harwin. Mrs. Foster, who is Japanese, recommends Kubo's because the food is authentic, cheap, and delicious. I am a fan now, too.

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T15:18:00.001-06:00

I went to the early meeting at SGI this morning and greeted the New Year by chanting and laughing. It was a very good way to get a fresh start. The entertainment for the morning included the Taiko Drummers from the youth division of SGI. I love the enthusiasm on their faces while they perform. They keep getting better every time I see them.

Deep And Tangential Thoughts On A Cold Grey Morning

2009-12-29T08:20:00.000-06:00

Mark by Valerie Kot

I awoke early this morning after another night of lucid dreams that I was not particularly thrilled to return to. I decided to read the new Douglas Coupland book that Con gave me for Christmas, The Gum Thief, rather than try to fall back to sleep. I'm not far into it, but I am enjoying the book immensely, so far.

While reading, I started to cough and realized that I was lying on my side in the exact way that Grandma used to lay to read and coughing, just as she used to cough in the morning. I wondered if her mother or grandmother lay in that position to read in bed, also. I went into a stream of consciousness mode and the thoughts just washed over me. I noticed that I was surrounded by cats, but Grandma never had cats in her bed - Linda did. Then I wondered how Grandma kept the cats out of her bed. Was she unpleasant with them, or did they just sense how much she wished they were outdoor cats? It occurred to me that they were both with me on this cold December morning, and that made me smile. I smiled more when I the thought that they are always with me, and that the ones they loved that I never knew were always with them - and probably with me, as well.

At that thought, I remembered that the heavy trash pick up is today and I went outside in my bathrobe and sweats and hauled the last twenty bags of debris that came from the back yard to the curb, so that I wouldn't have to wake Connor. I would like to say that it was purely altruistic, but he is a teenager home and bored for the holiday, and I really just wanted the rest of the morning to be quiet and contemplative.

Vegetable Soup

2009-12-28T20:36:00.002-06:00

Homemade Vegetable Soup by Finijo (and I took the photo, too :) )

After all of the starchy fare during the holidays, I had a craving for vegetables in a big way. I mad a huge crock pot full of homemade vegetable soup. It was really good (I know, I'm humble, too), but it had the odd effect of making us more hungry. We would eat a big bowl of it and an hour later we would be famished. I was off and I found that I wanted it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - and some snacks, too. It was ridiculous like the subtraction soup in The Phantom Tollbooth. I guess I will have to make it again soon.

Coby Brown and The Coffee House

2009-12-24T11:32:00.000-06:00

I have been feeling pretty mellow lately and that prompted me to listen to The Coffee House station on Sirius satellite radio (via Dish Network). I have heard some great acoustic covers of songs that I love and I have heard acoustic songs sung by the the artists that made them hits. The best part of this station is getting to hear artists that I am not familiar with singing songs I haven't heard before. One of my new favorites is Coby Brown. An internet search revealed that he is apparently a favorite of Ellen DeGeneres and also dealt with cancer a few years ago. On The Coffee House he sings "Your Luck is Going to Change." The song brings to mind Mad World (the Gary Jules version) for some reason. It is melodic, but dark.

Sample play list:

David Gray -Sail Away

Alison Krauss - When You Say Nothing At All

Coby Brown - Your Luck Is Going To Change

Seal - Crazy

The Weepies - World Spins Madly On

Damhnait Doyle - I Want You To Want Me

Jack Johnson - Hope

Pete Townshend - Won't Get Fooled Again

Breaks Co-op - The Otherside

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

Rob Thomas - Getting Late

Train - Drops of Jupiter (Live)

Norah Jones - Chasing Pirates

Chris Isaak - Wicked Game

Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat - Lucky

David Gray - Babylon

Indigo Girls - Galileo

John Mayer - Heartbreak Warfare

Jewel - Foolish Games

Ryan Adams - Fix It

Tori Amos - Winter

Train - Drops Of Jupiter

Norah Jones - Chasing Pirates

Chris Isaak - Wicked Game

Colbie Caillat - Lucky

David Gray - Babylon

Dave Matthews - What You Are

Beatles - Something

David Wilcox - Eye of the Hurricane

The Recliners - I Wanna Be Sedated

Colbie Caillat - Fallin' For You

Dog's Eye View - Everything Falls Apart

Aimee Mann - Wise Up

Del Amitri - Tell Her This

Meaghan Smith - I Know

Goo Goo Dolls - Name (Acoustic)

Jakob Dylan - Something Good This Way Come

Neil Nathan - Do Ya

Fish City Grill

2009-12-23T22:28:00.001-06:00

Fish City Grill by Finijo

I met Mike and Bill at Fish City Grill tonight after getting a call from Mike that they had a snow crab leg special. Mike and I used to go to Red Lobster many years ago to eat snow crab, so I knew Mike was looking forward to it as much as I was. I arrived before they did and tried to entertain myself by sending Mike the following text message,

"they ran out of crab legs...table of 5 REALLY fat me finished them off. The owner is pissed."

Carrie at Fish City Grill by Finijo

I was lying, of course, but while waiting for an outraged reply from Mike, I started talking to out server, Carrie, and forgot all about the message. Mike arrived and was quite peeved and it took me a minute to figure out what he was upset about. We got a good laugh about it and had a really good meal and good conversation, as always. They have a catfish special on another night, so I will have to take Connor and let him go nuts.

Trish and Darin Murphy

2009-12-22T23:50:00.000-06:00

Trish and Darin - Mucky Duck 12/22/2009 by Finijo

I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy the annual Trish and Darin Murphy Christmas show at McGonigel's Mucky Duck. Caryn and Matt treated Marilyn and I to the dinner show and it was fantastic. Caryn, Marilyn, and I all used to go see them play 20 years ago. Each of us has stories of seeing them perform at different venues at different times. Caryn favored The Ginger Man, I watched them at The Big Easy and Marilyn talked about seeing them at The Bavarian Gardens and other venues. We think the last time we saw them was together more than ten years ago, so it was really a lot of fun to be there together tonight. I was pleased that they played so many of the older songs. We still have their CD's and we still play them. The best part was hearing their new material. We have vowed to get both Trish and Darin's newer CD's. I was pleased to get video of a few of their numbers. The one posted is I Can Make It Rain If I Want To, and it is in the top three songs of theirs that I really love. I posted the other videos on my Youtube site. Thank you, Matt and Caryn, for a wonderful gift of music, the trip down memory lane, and their company.

We were surprised to hear that the dinner of smothered brisket, mashed potatoes and peas with mint butter were all recipes provided by Trish. Very cool - she needs to put out a cook book.

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

2009-12-21T02:58:00.003-06:00

Mom and Cake by Finijo

We celebrated Mom's birthday at Olive Garden today. Marilyn's friend, Patty, made the cake and it was both beautiful and delicious. She used a humming bird motif, because Mom is partial to humming birds (and the color purple). A good time was had by all and after lunch, some cake was had by all, also.

Humming Bird Cake by Finijo

It was an incredible homemade chocolate cake and the icing tasted like icing did when we were kids. You can see more of Patty's work on her website, mypattycake.com.

Projects

2009-12-17T03:32:00.000-06:00

Terrarium Flowers by Finijo

This has been a month of projects. I have accomplished quite a bit and I have a pretty big list of to do while I am off during the holidays. Connor is also co-opted in to this activity, so he got to clean the top of the refrigerator and clean out the plastic containers in the kitchen. The terrarium now makes us smile, when the dead plants in it only made us frown before.

Wiggy's Private Box by Finijo

Our half-feral, antisocial orphan of a cat, Wigington Weslayan, got a new box to keep her from urinating in the spare room. She apparently can't share a box with the other kitties. One more thing ticked off the list. I still have to clean out the spice cubbord, clean out my tool box, organize my dresser drawers, etc...So much to do to prepare for the new year, but I am up for it.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2009-12-16T02:04:00.000-06:00

New Furnace by Finijo

Just before the first freeze (and snow) of the year, our furnace went out. We have dealt with this kind of cold before when we were in the apartment and had the same thing happen, so we did what came naturally.

Furnace Replacement by Finijo

We bundled up, snuggled with the cats, borrowed space heaters and slept with baked bricks and stones. I learned something this time around - bricks are better. Stones have moisture in them and they can explode. It sounds like a gun going off in your oven. No harm, no foul - lesson learned.

Furnace Rust by Finijo

The parts and labor were covered by our home warranty, but we still had a hefty bill for incidentals. It was worth the cost to get some heat back in the house. The old furnace was from 1981, so I think it was well overdue to be replaced.

Foggy Morning

2009-12-15T01:48:00.000-06:00

Foggy Braes Bayou by Finijo

I took this shot on my way into work. I love this weather. The fog and the cold make me want to write, take photos and paint. I hope it's foggy when I am off work next week.

Through the Glass

2009-12-14T12:36:00.000-06:00

Through the Glass 1 by Finijo

While getting a shot of this piece of municipal sculpture, I noticed a window on the building that was painted over. If you are interested, this blog is best viewed by clicking on each picture in succession, to get the best view of the subject.

Through the Glass 2 by Finijo

As I approached the window, I noticed that someone had kept a spot on the glass clear, presumably to be able to look out at the world. I like how the car is centered in the clean part of the window. Serendipitous capture, but I like it nonetheless.

Through the Glass 3 by Finijo

I decided to photograph the window and whatever lay inside the building by taking a shot at each step I took towards the glass. Another incidental capture is the Do Not Enter sign from the freeway exit ramp on the other side of Main Street from this building.

Through the Glass 4 by Finijo

With each step closer, a little more of the interior was revealed, but a little more the world outside of this room was reflected, as well. I enjoyed the way that both the interior and the exterior of the building appear to be viewed through a veil.

Through the Glass 5 by Finijo

As I continued to shoot, the interior became more evident, and a little bit of me was revealed, as well. I did not peek into the building before I began shooting, so the excitement built for me as I continued with my mini project.

Through the Glass 6 by Finijo

The more of the inside of this warehouse that I saw, the more I wanted to know about the occupants. There is a pretty nice couch and chair off to the right, leaving more questions than answers.

Through the Glass 7 by Finijo

I did not realize how big the building was from the outside. Only after I began to get a look through the glass did I realize how cavernous the space really is.

Through the Glass 8 by Finijo

I was relieved to find that the interior was visually interesting. It could have been like Geraldo Rivera's big reveal of Al Capone's safe - completely empty, but it looks to me like the sparse contents of this building are a bit of a mystery - like a story to be told.

Through the Glass 9 by Finijo

This is the full shot of what I could see from the little hole in the glass. Now I'm really curious about the space. Is it being torn down or in the process of being built up. I will post more when I know...

martin zet: necessity

2009-12-13T21:57:00.010-06:00

Martin Zet video from Necessity (video by Finijo)

I attended the Martin Zet exhibit at The Station Museum of Contemporary Art and was impressed by the many mediums he uses and the messages conveyed through his work. The video linked above is only one of several videos in the exhibit. This particular video reminded me of video that I saw in an exhibit at the Menil in 2007, A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960's.

Martin Zet's books by Finijo

Martin Zet is a Czech artist who uses a variety of objects to create his art. This hallway is paved with books. You must walk on the books to get into the rooms where his videos are showing or other parts of the exhibit.

Walking On Art by Finijo

I revere books and words. I was taught as a child not to dog ear the pages or break the bindings. I passed those lessons and the love of words and books on to Connor, so I cannot describe adequately the trepidation and excitement that walking on books created in me. It was so forbidden - for me it was a taboo broken. Both the books and I survived the experience, but it the impact of the experience was close to profound.

Martin Zet's Bile Svetlo photographed by Finijo

One of the rooms entered shows this screen with the words Bile Svetlo projected on to the wall. The opposite wall is like a negative image of the same thing, which you can imagine is almost impossible to photograph. There is another hall of surrealistic photographs by Zet, but because of the plexiglass covering them, I could not seem to get a shot that did not have me somehow reflected in it. In several shots, the effect looked pretty cool to me, but I did not want to post them, because they are essentially altered by my presence.

Martin Zet's books spilling photographed by Finijo

The books spill out of the middle corridor and it is more difficult to walk on the books there, because they are loosely strewn. I could not help but look to see the titles of the books that I tread upon, and was surprised to find several that I had read. What incredible symbolism in this one aspect of the exhibit. Whether it is to tread on words or to travel on knowledge, the mind works in overtime to understand the artist's intention.

Martin Zet's By T Nastrojem photographed by Finijo

At the far end of the hallway paved by books lies this rather large and eclectic part of the exhibit. A bicycle looks like a sculpture, but upon closer inspection it is rigged to light up a neon sign hanging behind it. Sculptures on the floor, videos on the walls and flags hanging from the ceiling.

Martin Zet's red flags photographed by Finijo

Three flags - red and transparent. Barely visible are the markings on the flags. One a skull and crossbones, the middle flag has a circle of stars - the flag of European unity, and the last flag looks like an embossed American flag. Again, Zet's symbolism sends the mind racing in several directions at once. The exhibit is worth seeing more than once and I hope I can make time to go back again before it closes. I was a bit rushed in this visit and I really did not have a chance to absorb all that my eyes were taking in.

Sneaky Scientology Bastards

2009-12-11T23:53:00.000-06:00

I begrudgingly have to say that Scientology has made some fantastic commercials. I know this is a cult, but these damn commercials draw me in every single time I see them on TV. After seeing them, I'm aware that I am watching a recruiting tool for an alien cult, but I still feel compelled to watch. The editing is beautiful and the voice over is poetic and powerful. Thankfully, at the last minute the word "Scientology" reveals itself on the screen and the magnetic power the commercial exerts is magically broken and I am once again repelled. I hope they never figure out that they should Amway their way through a commercial, not revealing the name of the organization, but only a phone number. My guess is they would get more response from the forlorn, lonely, disenfranchised demographic they are trying to attract. Great spots, Scientology - but you're never gonna get me!

Great Verizon Commercial

2009-12-10T23:02:00.000-06:00

Most commercials are utterly forgettable, but I saw this commercial for Verizon and immediately saw the truth in the message. It didn't hurt that it includes the Island of Misfit Toys characters that I loved so much growing up. I've used several different phone services and Verizon is by far the best one we have had - although the costs could be a bit less exorbitant. No matter, it's a very cute commercial.

Miss Mary

2009-12-10T00:29:00.000-06:00

Gothic Dancer by Melia Dawn Newman

I have gotten the following e-mail about six times in the past two years. It is so poorly written (I cut and pasted it directly into the post) that I have to restrain myself from from making contact with Miss Mary, just to see what she will say next. When Miss Mary says"...i just saw your profile it seams like some thing touches me all over my body..." I feel I MUST know exactly what touches her all over her body.

One of these days...

HELLO

Wed, December 9, 2009 12:21:08 PM
From: Mary Badango
To: Finijo

Hi How are you? i hope all is well with you, i hope you may not know me, and i don't know who you are, My Name is Miss Mary, i am just broswing now i just saw your profile it seams like some thing touches me all over my body, i started having some feelings in me which i have never experience in me before, so i became interested in you, l will also like to know you the more,and l want you to send an email so l can give you my picture for you to know whom l am.I believe we can move from here!I am waiting for your mail (Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life)miss Mary.

What The Hell Is Wrong With Us?

2009-12-07T17:04:00.004-06:00

E-mail exchange between Marilyn and I today - start at the bottom:

From: Marilyn

"What the hell is wrong with us?"

I don't have that kind of time, woman. ..

***********************************************************************
On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 3:54 PM

From Finijo:

Reading your message, I could only think, "What the hell is wrong with you?" Then I remembered the moment this morning when I thought the same thing about myself. I was looking at the JC Penny's mail out and I noticed several little girls dressed as pretty princesses. I looked at each one trying to figure out which Disney character they correspond to. I thought to myself, "There is Esmeralda, Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella, and Jon Bonnet Ramsey." No lie. I then scanned the photo for my blog.

What the hell is wrong with us?

***********************************************************************
From: Marilyn

Sent: Mon, December 7, 2009 3:47:23 PM

Subject: soo..

I went to the restroom and went to open a stall and buckled and backed out laughing and saying, "GodDAAAAAAMN!" it looked like a mountain lion took a shit. I would have flushed it, but I don't think it would have gone down. I actually took a picture of it like I was going to blog it or something. -- iGerbs

Christmas Parties

2009-12-07T03:28:00.004-06:00

Connor at Dave's Party by Finijo

Connor accompanied me to a couple of Christmas parties this weekend. We went to Dave and Jerry's annual office party for CAAG. It is held at Dave's magnificent townhouse.

Jerry and Sax by Finijo

There was a string quartet that played beautifully for the first couple of hours. When the quartet finished playing, Jerry broke out his saxaphone and played beautiful jazz renditions of Christmas carols.

CAAG Party From Above by Finijo

The food was great, and the music was great, and Connor got hit on by a woman in her 30's. A good time was had by all...

The Road

2009-12-05T21:56:00.003-06:00

I awoke this morning with a pounding headache that lasted most of the day. After going to the wrong theater, paying for parking, and trying to buy a ticket for a movie that wasn't playing at Edward's, I managed to arrive at the River Oaks Theater shortly after the movie started. I was immediately struck by the darkness of the theater, because I couldn't see well enough to figure out where Matt was sitting. I don't think I have ever seen a movie filmed in color that felt more like black and white. Each frame of The Road is bathed in stark greys and blacks. It was perfectly suited to the subject matter, a post apocalyptic tale of a father and son traveling through a treacherous world where the rule is not simply kill or be killed, it is kill or be raped and eaten.

Matt read the book by Cormac McCarthy and expressed surprise that the movie was not more graphically violent. I felt relief as I watched the film, because there could have been much more gore and torture on the screen. There was certainly enough shown to to make what was left to your imagination gruesome and terrifying. I recognize how good this film is, but it is relegated to my list of films that are one offs. I don't regret seeing it, but it was so emotionally wrenching, I never want to watch it again.

SNOW

2009-12-04T17:45:00.002-06:00

Rice Blvd. Snow by Finijo

It snowed in Houston!!!

Rice Campus Snow by Finijo

I LOVE snow!!!

Backyard Snow by Finijo

It only stuck for a little while, but it was beautiful while it lasted.

Necessary Funny

2009-12-01T20:13:00.003-06:00

The Ambiguously Gay Duo @ Yahoo! Video

It's cold, it's wet, and we can't catch a freaking break. In addition to the plumbing disaster that we are sitting on, the AC/heater just went out. It worked a couple of weeks ago, but I tried to turn on the heat tonight to stop the collective shivering of all human and cat occupants of the house, and there was no click - no hum - no heat. Tonight, I will sleep with three feline hot water bottles (family, schmamily - those cats know which side their bread is buttered on). Connor will sleep with Wiggy, as she is feral and his room smells feral, so it stands to reason. Marilyn is on her own tonight. Tomorrow, when she pulls back the soft warm bed covers to brave the cold cruel morning air of our icebox, she will be inspired to call to our home warranty company about the dysfunctional unit. That is the plan for now, anyway.

In the mean time, we are trying to laugh as much as possible to keep our body temperatures up, so I share with you - The Ambiguously Gay Duo.

Super H Mart

2009-11-29T21:18:00.002-06:00

Super H Mart by Finijo

Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite grocery store - Super H Mart. This is the Asian store that Mrs. Foster introduced me to a couple of weeks ago. It was so cool, that I took Marilyn and Connor back today to pick up some more delectibles.

Tous Les Jours by Finijo

Super H Mart has a great little bakery, Tous Les Jours, with a lot of delicious and uncommon (at least in the average American grocery store) baked goods. Connor is partial to the Rice Balls (a kind of donut ball with red bean paste inside), and Marilyn and I like the Pumpkin Pastry. We can also recommend the Red Bean Bread and the Creme Cheese Pastry. It is all pretty different from the sticky sweet pastry we are used to, so we tried a wide variety to see what was good - turns out that we enjoyed most of the selection.

CD Stand by Finijo

In addition to a French/Asian bakery, there are a lot of little differences in the shopping experience at Super H Mart. Starting with the variety of aromas (not all are as pleasant as the bakery) to the high end make up, perfume and jewelry stores located inside the store. Most grocery stores have newspaper stands at the entrance that include free weekly papers, but Super H also has a wide variety of CD's along side the free weeklies.

LG Flower Kimchi Refridgerator

One of the things we found most interesting was the appliance section. In addition to the expected rice cookers, we found bidets and something we had not seen before, kimchi refrigerators. They are funky compartmentalized refrigerators meant to store kimchee, a Korean staple of different kinds of pickled vegetables. The refrigerator shown is a designer model that includes a flower motif and crystals set into the door handle. Even if you aren't into Asian cooking, Super H Mart is an interesting cultural experience.

Julian in the Woods

2009-11-28T09:57:00.000-06:00

I saw this video on a Current Pod and was taken by how much Julian reminded me of Connor when he was in elementary school. He had an affinity for trees that included "feeling their pain," his words, not mine. It was strange and wrenching at the same time. He no longer feels their pain, but he is very much eco-aware. We are proud that he is a recycler, but I wonder if he is more fascinated or repulsed by the composter...

Fragrance Commercials

2009-11-27T11:37:00.000-06:00

I saw a clip of this parody of fragrance commercials on my favorite channel, Current. Alan Cumming is not only a talented actor and director, but he is funny as hell. I can't believe this thing has been around for years, but I am just now seeing it. Enjoy!

***Warning: Full Backal Nudity (a.k.a. ass shot)***

Truly Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T11:41:00.004-06:00

Thankful for Ada by Stem

Thanksgiving has been a rough holiday for me since I was a kid, but this year, in spite of all of the stress in my life and the strife in the world, I have been feeling pretty hopeful. I'm not sure why, maybe it is the chanting, maybe it is the recent health scare reawakening my awareness of how blessed I am, who knows? It has been an unbelievably difficult year in so many ways, but I am bending and not breaking, and it feels good.

I really am thankful every day for the blessed life I am leading. I am thankful for my family and friends and the support they give me - especially when times are tough. I am thankful for my job and the fact that I love my work and the people I work with. I am thankful for my health and for my practice. I am thankful for the challenges that I face that help me to grow and be a better person.

I got a call from my friend Patty in West Virginia this morning. She let me know that her grandson, the one I tutored when he was 8 years old, is sober for a year now, and he told her this morning that he has good memories of me and the help I gave him when he was struggling to learn to read. I was hard on him, but it paid off, so it was nice to hear that a mitzvah from 20 years ago lives on.

We will meet Mom and Dad at Buca di Beppo later today and enjoy a wonderful meal with the people we love. I will come home and pay bills, and be thankful that the loan came in and we can get to work on the plumbing soon. Today is a wonderful day and I am very thankful to be here to experience it and share it with all of you.

PS. Today, I am eating popcorn - just my way of honoring the Native Americans for giving us all of their land and, of course, popcorn! Thank you!! (sorry about the small pox :( )

Sales Monkey

2009-11-24T20:48:00.001-06:00

Monkey Car Wash by Finijo

I was driving down 2920 in Tomball and saw this monkey suit being used to sell car washes. I'm not exactly sure why a monkey suit is being used to sell car washes. Apes are known for neither cars nor their bathing skills. I especially like the classy gold chain around his neck. Three cheers for one of the creepiest mascots a business could pick to scare off...I mean scare up customers.

McCafe

2009-11-24T01:14:00.003-06:00

Best McDonald's by Finijo

I go to a McDonald's on W. Airport at Beltway 8 to meet with one of my clients, and I proclaim that it is THE best McDonald's in Houston. The staff are genuinely nice to the customers, the restaurant is clean, and the music piped throughout the McCafe is JAZZ. Not that crappy smooth jazz either - they play the real thing. Thelonious Monk, Mingus, and Coltrane. I mentioned to one of the cashiers that I was very impressed with how friendly and attentive they are, and she replied, "It's my job. They pay us to be happy." It was a little Stepford wife, but she was smiling and didn't seem to be drugged. I know, it's still a McDonald's with all that implies, but if you are going to a McDonald's in Houston, this is the one you should visit.

Inari

2009-11-22T22:02:00.003-06:00

Inari Blue by Finijo

Mrs. Foster taught me to make inari yesterday. She picked out the groceries needed and I cooked the dish today. YAY!!! It was successful and simple and was enjoyed by all of us tonight as part of our dinner. Marilyn made the sticky rice with nori and black sesame seed rice seasoning.

Inari is made with Japanese rice, vinegar powder (or liquid form), pickled ginger and bean curd pockets. This dish has a really nice blend of flavors from the sweetened bean curd pocket to the slightly sweet and sour rice then topped by the tang of the pickled ginger (just a little goes a long way). I also used some kimchee for a few of them, because Marilyn doesn't care for a lot of ginger, but she determined that the ginger was good and better than the kimchee as a garnish.

Cook the rice, add the vinegar powder (it comes with the bean curd pockets), mix well, boil the bag of bean curd pockets for 5 minutes in the pouch they come in, and then scoop the warm (not hot) rice into the pockets when they are cool enough to touch. Top with a bit of pickled ginger and it's done. This is great finger food for parties, as well. Let me know if any of you try making it. :)

Sasaki

2009-11-22T00:01:00.004-06:00

Sasaki by Finijo

Misa and her mother, Mrs. Foster came today to chant and do a home visit. After Gongyo, we went to one of Mrs. Foster's favorite restaurants, Sasaki then went to the Asian market, Super H Market on Blalock and got all kinds of yummy food to cook.

Sasaki Sushi Bar by Finijo

There is a sushi bar that is filled with Japanese chotchkies. I'm not a big drinker, but I noticed that Sasaki has a fully stocked bar with a variety of Japanese beer and sake.

Sasaki Reserved by Finijo

I love this little room, it looks like something out of an old movie to me. Sometime I think I will have to reserve the room, just for the experience. What a great atmosphere with the floor chairs and the rice paper doors.

Sasaki Main Dining Room by Finijo

Here is the main dining room with Misa seated and texting on her Blackberry. Just behind her is the karaoke room. If you are looking for authentic Japanese food, Sasaki is a good place to start. If you are looking for a bright, clean, and economical Asian market, Super H Market is fantastic, as well.

Dateline: Cats

2009-11-19T22:33:00.003-06:00

Wiggy Sleeps Wierd by Finijo

Wiggy LOVES this old cat scratching post. She can be found nightly sitting on top of the post and leaning over to scratch the post upside down. She has no front claws, but must find the feeling of the rough rope on her paws to be a pleasant feeling. She looks quite

innocent in this shot, but beneath that adorable facade beats the heart of a killer ((shudders)).

Cats in Rays by Finijo

From the left we have Bodhi, Lena, and Saffie. They enjoy the window seat in my room immensely. Often they enjoy the seat just as you see them, together. They are usually thick as theives, unless Bodhi is doing something inappropriate. Notice that Wiggy is not a part of this little clique. I have no doubt that they would accept her, if she made the effort, but she is a strange and solitary creature. The only one in the house she has bonded with is Connor. She watches him when he is outside and cries at the window until he comes back in the house . With him, and him alone, she is a smitten kitten.

Cipher In The Snow

2009-11-16T00:30:00.000-06:00

Does anyone else remember seeing Cipher In The Snow as a kid in school. It seems like I saw it multiple times, it was one of the free movies that the teachers could order when they were ordering filmstrips. It was wrenching and it made me cry each and every time I saw it. The premise is that there is a kid who gets off the bus and drops dead in the snow. As the investigator works to find out who this kid is, it becomes apparent that nobody gives a damn about him. Not his neglectful parents, not the teachers and not one of the students really notice him. The investigation essentially determines that he died of neglect or a broken heart or loneliness. It played on every childhood insecurity that existed, and it was used to teach students to be kind to one another and look out for each other. Heavy handed as hell, it has stuck with me all these years. I wonder if there have been any studies to show its effectiveness in stopping bullying. Only in looking up info about this film to write this entry did I find out that it was a Mormon production. The story was written by a teacher and won awards, but the film was produced by Brigham Young University.

Embarrassed :(

2009-11-15T02:32:00.002-06:00

Embarrassing by Finijo

The downturn in the economy caused us to let our yard service go over a year ago. We managed to keep up with the mowing (to some extent), but we failed miserably to maintain the backyard and much of the yard became overgrown. The result can be seen in the photograph I took after Alberto and his son Norberto worked for 9 hours on the clean up. He's coming back Monday to work on the front yard and to do some roof repairs, but I doubt there will be anything close to this much debris after it's finished. Having the backyard cleared again is freeing. I feel it's the first step to preparing for the coming year, and like we will move into 2011 just a little bit lighter. It feels good.

Unexpected

2009-11-12T22:57:00.000-06:00

Spectral Curtains by Finijo

I went to a meeting in Midtown today and found some things along the way that surprised me. This large old house has a boarded up window that appears to have at one time a set of curtains painted onto it. I'm not sure why someone would find it necessary, but it is visually striking to me nonetheless.

Surprise, Flowers! by Finijo

Across the street from the building I had my meeting in was this somewhat rundown old building on Caroline Street. On the wrought iron fence were the prettiest morning glories thriving in the midst of a pretty decayed urban area. There is beauty in the most unexpected places.

Street Art Garden

2009-11-07T00:05:00.002-06:00

Broken Heart Garden by Finijo

This little piece of garden is a few steps outside the front doors of Brasil. Incorporating original artwork in a garden is something I find really enjoyable. It reminds me of when I once painted my grandmother's flowers. To clarify that statement, I used paint on the flowers in her garden to improve their appearance. I painted blue stripes on each of the petals of her with daisies. She was so pleased to think that she had a new species, she rushed to the phone to call the Arkansas Agricultural Commission and it was all I could do to stop her and explain the error. It's funny now, but she was so disappointed to have been duped by an eight year old with a set of paints. The only thing that was more of a disappointment that summer was when David (my older brother) called her and impersonated Tom Bonner, the newscaster who made the calls for Dialing For Dollars on the noon news show every day. David made the call and disguised his voice, then Grandma excitedly read off the "count and the amount," thinking she just won the cash prize, only to hear David start laughing at the other end of the line and say, "Gotcha again, Grandma!" Poor Grandma.

What the F@#$?

2009-11-06T03:18:00.001-06:00

Smashed Car by Finijo

I walked outside today to take the company car to a meeting and this is what greeted me. I had been off for a couple of days and came back to a hit and run in the parking lot. Fingers crossed I will be able to get it fixed before the first of the year. My experience with bureaucracy tells me I am screwed though.

SGI Memorial

2009-11-05T03:54:00.001-06:00

SGI Memorial by Finijo

Tonight I went to a memorial service for Katsuko Coleman at the Kaikan. This is the third memorial I have attended since I got my Gohonzon a year and a half ago. The service was beautiful and peaceful and I think it is a nice way to be remembered. Everyone chanted daimoku and sent Mrs. Coleman off in a most positive way.

Misa's Fruit by Finijo

The Japanese women at the Kaikan made tons of delicious food for the gathering after the memorial service. Misa made this beautiful fruit tray for the event. My photo cannot begin to show how pretty it really was. Good job Misa!

Annise Parker

2009-11-04T03:28:00.000-06:00

Annise Parker

Marilyn and I ran to vote this evening before the polls closed. I will miss Mayor White, and think he did a great job with the city during his three terms. He also managed to make us believe that there was transparency in city government for the first time since Kathy Whitmire was Mayor. The election was close...too close. We will have to show our support for Annise Parker again in the run off election against Gene Locke.

Kofu Gongyo

2009-11-01T23:54:00.000-06:00

Tiana's Experience by Finijo

I went to Kofu Gongyo today at the Kaikan and there was a dancer who danced in her native costume. I arrived just as her dance began, so I missed her introduction and the origin of her dance. She plays the prettiest little flowered drum as she dances. It was beautiful to watch. My friend, Tiana, gave her experience today and it was quite moving and inspirational. Kudos for telling your story and overcoming your challenges through the years, Tiana.

Catching Up Again...

2009-11-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

Somewhere to Go by Serena Rose

Not sure what has gotten into me in the last few months, but I have not been able to keep up with my blog (and a lot of other things, as well). I think I have been preoccupied by a job that has been beating the shit out of me emotionally. I am over the hump now and feeling like I will be able to coast a bit through the next couple of months. We are planning a very laid back holiday season. Time to catch up with friends, family, and bills. Time to reassess the job, make a plan for the new year and try to have some fun, too.

Brace yourselves, I will be adding all of the blogs that have been in my head since I checked out on my birthday - feel free to read or ignore as you desire. :)

Beck's Prime on Halloween

2009-11-01T01:54:00.000-06:00

Becks Prime Memorial Park (official photo)

I had dinner tonight at Becks Prime in Memorial Park with Mike and Bill. I didn't even know they had a location there. The atmosphere is serene on the patio, but there was a birthday party for a wealthy lad that was taking place inside the restaurant at the time, so the techno and dance music was a little annoying later in the evening. Mike and Bill brought their dog, Winston, who enjoyed trying to feast on anything that hit the ground. It was a very enjoyable evening and we need to do this kind of thing more often.

Transparent Degeneration

2009-10-31T00:08:00.001-05:00

Transparent Degeneration by Finijo

In the parking lot outside of my building at work, I found this crushed beer can still in the paper bag that held it while it was presumably being slammed before entering the building. If you click on it, you can see how clearly the can and bag are preserved after a rain and being driven over. I thought it was fascinating how the brown paper bag became transparent after it became wet. It makes for a great metaphor, I think.

Galveston Bluster

2009-10-30T00:16:00.000-05:00

I got to go to Galveston on a really windy day. The waves churned and the sea mist coated my camera and my glasses, but it felt wonderful to be on the seawall on a cool windy day with the warm sun shining brightly. It was the kind of day when all of my senses were abuzz. I don't think I will ever tire of the smell of the ocean. This particular spot on the seawall has become one of my favorite, because it shows the power of the ocean and the residual damage done by Hurricane Ike just over a year ago. The truck that sits on this pier houses birds now. I know it is a site of destruction, but I will miss it when it is repaired and returned to its former use.

Mt. Rushmore, Pearland

2009-10-26T22:20:00.002-05:00

Mt. Rushmore, Pearland by Finijo

Work took me to Pearland and just off of 610 at 288 there is a series of six presidential busts. It is a strange display of Americana on the side of the freeway in a muddy field. There is no marker that I found to explain the statues, but there are plenty of empty beer cans and used condoms. It never occurred to me that that a grouping of dead white guys could inspire lust, but apparently it can.

Mr. Rushmore 5 Busts

This photo does not show all of the Presidents, but it is a little closer up and gives the scale based on the average sized doors that are built into the shoulders of the presidents. From left to right are: George H.W. Bush, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

Lunchbox

2009-10-25T03:27:00.000-05:00

Lunch Box by Finijo

Marilyn agreed to dog sit for her friend, Susan's English Bulldog, Rooney. While staying with us for the weekend, he was given a few other names. The first of which was Lunch Box. Rooney likes to eat. He was also called Roomba much of the time for the way he hoovered up anything that hit the floor. It was nice to have all of the stray bits of cat food off the floor for a change. Rooney was a friendly dog, but had no idea that he was too big to sit in your lap, or that the gas he was passing was lethal for humans. Sweet dog, though.

Beautiful Day in the Heights

2009-10-24T02:48:00.001-05:00

Haunted Heights by Finijo

I had to meet one of my clients in the Heights today. The meeting went well and the day was gorgeous. I found that one of my favorite homes in The Heights was decorated to the hilt for Halloween. Even on a sunny day, the home had a feeling of forboding...Halloween night should be pretty spooky.

One Grey Morning

2009-10-22T22:08:00.001-05:00

Gus Wortham Fountain by Finijo

The Gus Wortham Fountain on Allen Parkway is one of my favorite fountains in Houston. It looks like a dandelion, and when the wind is blowing hard, it looks like a dandelion being blown apart.

Gus Wortham Fountain 2 by Finijo

I'm not sure if I enjoy it more when it is sunny and beautiful, or when it is overcast and melancholic. Regardless of the weather conditions, the symmetry of the structure is what gets me every time I look at it.

One Grey Morning by Finijo

Macro

2009-10-22T03:52:00.000-05:00

Macro Pupa by Finijo

I took some macro photos today. I enjoy the abstract quality the photos take when shooting macro. This one looks like a pupa to me, but it is actually a bead of water.

Unmacro Pupa by Finijo

This is a full shot of the bead of water sitting in a succulent plant. I need to find out what kind of plant this is. My friend, Nadia gave me one before she died, but unfortunately, it did not survive the move to my house.

Wattahead Baby by Finijo

This is the close up of the macro I took of water in another succulent plant. Karim has offered to give me some cuttings, so I will accept that gift after I have the yard and my potted plants in better shape.

Macrobeads by Finijo

I love this type of plant, and the way the water in this one looks like some kind of alien baby when viewed close up.

South Park Street Art

2009-10-22T03:38:00.002-05:00

South Park by Finijo

I was on Griggs Road today and found this defunct strip center with a mural on the side of the building. This section of Houston is known as South Park, and it is largely African-American. The area has become really run down over the years, and it is no place I would want to be walking after dark. I do love how Houston has art in every nook and cranny of the city - you just have to look for it and it is there.

South Park Art by Finijo

This piece is an ode to Martin Luther King, Jr. and it looks like it was done during a period when this run down section of Houston was trying to revitalize. It could still happen, but it is doubtful that this building or the mural will survive the next effort to improve the neighborhood.

Shade In The Heights

2009-10-20T04:58:00.000-05:00

My team had dinner at Shade in the Heights tonight after we finished the first day of our Fidelity Review. It was a grueling day and we were all relieved to have gotten through the first day of the process relatively unscathed. We all skipped lunch because we were escorting the auditors around the facility and taking them to see patients and doctors, so we were famished by the time we got to dinner. Shade is a great restaurant with excellent food. The server made very good recommendations, so I got:

BUTTER LETTUCE SALAD with Radicchio and Belgian Endive, Warm Goat Cheese, Grilled Pear and Spiced Pecans in Champagne VinaigretteVinaigrette

PAN SEARED KING SALMONwith Dried Cherry~Almond~Wild Rice Pilaf, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Dijon Cream Sauce

and

INDIVIDUAL COCONUT CREAM PIEHazelnut Shortbread Crust

The food is really amazing, no complaints from any of our party. I definitely recommend this restaurant, and my coworkers say the wine selection is excellent.

Townhouse Photo Shoot 2

2009-10-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

Dickson Townhouse Exterior by Finijo

I shot another property for Karim today. It is a gorgeous three story townhouse in Memorial, and it is selling for about $500,000. I am looking into becoming a realty photographer and actually earning some income from the work. It might be a nice sideline, if I can get a few steady customers.

Dickson Townhouse Kitchen by Finijo

This is my favorite shot of the second floor. I am standing at the far end of the kitchen (near a balcony) and the shot goes through a fantastic kitchen, the dining room, and through the living room to the second balcony.

Dickson Townhouse Office by Finijo

The shot is from the first floor entryway and shows the stairs to the second floor, the downstairs bedroom (at the far end of the hall) and a great home office to the right. I am having fun with these shoots and have another one lined up in a week or so. I need to start my website and put together a portfolio for my realty photography.

F@#$%^& Up Friday

2009-10-16T21:52:00.000-05:00

F#$*%^& Up Friday by Finijo

I got up from my desk, walked to the next office and almost passed out. That was a new experience for me, so I went to urgent care and had a follow up appointment with my PCP. Next week I see the Rheumy, then a trip to the neurologist. I hate the shitty familiarity of it all. Updates to follow...

That's A Good Bruise

2009-10-16T04:57:00.008-05:00

Connor had his second black belt test today and he got two more tapes. It is hard to believe that a short two and a half years ago, we got him Kuk Sool Won classes for his birthday. He has really excelled and in spite of the odd evening that he doesn't feel like going to practice, he has stuck with it. I am looking forward to seeing him get his blackbelt in about a year (if he keeps up this pace). His instructor is a good humored man who sometimes exhibits a dry wit. His parting shot at Connor as he tries to break the board was pretty funny. If you notice him making the peace sign to nobody in particular, it is actually him trying to sign to his mother that he took his two shots at breaking the board (which is what the instructor allowed) while she is urging him to continue to try. Kudos Con, for listening to the instructions and for giving it your best shot!

Balloon Boo-Boo

2009-10-14T00:47:00.000-05:00

Suck it! by Finijo

Connor brought me a homemade stress ball he made in one of his classes. It was flour inside of a red balloon, and the texture was a little bit addictive. Maybe more addictive for some than others...Marilyn must have been pretty stressed out, given the squeeze she put on the stress ball. The netbook survived, even if the stressball didn't:)

Paxton's Weekend Getaway

2009-10-04T00:29:00.004-05:00

Connor and Paxton by Finijo

Connor has that wonderful look on his face that only a 15 year old can muster up - we all know what it means. Paxton on the other hand looks happy as he can be. We were fortunate enough to have a visit from our old friend Pax while Cody recuperated from his ailments this weekend.

Paxton and Dora by Finijo

Paxton is holding a Dora the Explorer doll in his mouth and we were very surprised that it went home with him on Sunday completely intact. Normally he makes short order of his stuffed toys, but this time, he seems to be taking a little more care of his special new friend. Thank you to Cody for keeping us in mind for Paxton-sitting. We will always have an open door and open hearts for our boy. It's also nice to see how far he has come since we found him a year ago. He's healthy, strong, and so calm and secure now. What a lucky puppy!

Patrick Turk Collages

2009-10-02T23:28:00.001-05:00

Innerspace Hypsography by Patrick Turk (photo by finijo)

I met Karim at Brasil today and found some amazing art hanging throughout the coffee shop by a collage artist, Patrick Turk. I was mesmerized by the patterns and the intricate detail in his work. The piece above is selling for $4800.00. I have no idea how long it took him to put this piece together, but that cannot possibly be enough money to cover the time invested. In this work I can see a relief map of some island atoll or some amoebic activity under a microscope. You really have to click on the picture to get the detail of the tiny pieces of paper that makeup whole piece.

Angry God by Patrick Turk (photo by finijo)

This owl-esque piece is my favorite. The kaleidoscope eyes are made up of hundreds upon hundreds of tiny pictures of faces. There is a fractal like quality to this work - something mathematical and so precise that it's hard to believe that he cuts out the pictures with scissors and glues them to the canvas. The pieces I saw were so layered and complex that they would seem to be computer generated. Click on the detail below to get an idea of the scope of this work - it is truly a magnificent piece. Seeing Patrick Turks work up close made an instant fan of me.

Angry God Detail (photo by finijo)

Artist Statement from his Facebook page:

I strive to create an endlessly captivating, densely layered profusion of imagery. My goal is for the viewer to be gripped by a visceral and cathartic experience. My primary medium is paper collage. I use precisely cut pieces of paper and images. Most of my source material is from original documents and publications with only a small portion being copied for some of the most repetitive designs. Each of my pieces exhibits intense detail--a reflection of humankind's relationship to time and the processes of self-unfoldment. I seek for the viewer to find some degree of illumination through their relationship to the fragmentary, yet intricately ordered components of each piece.

Photoshoot at Work

2009-09-30T22:21:00.001-05:00

Cancer Survivor Memorial in Hermann Park by Finijo

Today, my co-worker, Pedro, had us all out at the park taking pictures for our newsletter. It was a gorgeous day, so I snapped a few shots of some landmarks. I have always been fascinated by this memorial for cancer survivors. Upon closer inspection, it is an interesting, but odd statue. The child appears to be walking on legs that do not belong to him, and the man is strangely effeminate in his stance. There are also a younger woman and an old woman peering at the advancing trio, as if they can't quite believe their eyes.

Hermann Park Gazebo by Finijo

I love the ironwork on this gazebo. It is delicate and strong at the same time. Our photos came out great and the newsletter is also shaping up nicely. This was a very nice way to start our work day.

Carlos Runcie-Tanaka: FRAGMENTO

2009-09-27T20:17:00.002-05:00

CARLOS RUNCIE TANAKA, Tiempo detenido / No Olvidar, 1997-2006 (photo by finijo)

I went to see the Carlos Runcie-Tanaka exhibit, Fragmento, at The Station Museum of Contemporary Art with Saibe today. The morning started with breakfast at Tacos-a- Go-Go and editing one of his stories. This exhibit is different from the others I have seen at The Station Museum, in that it was serene. Beautiful Asian music played and the installations had a calming effect when viewed. The funereal scene (shown above) caused a reverential feeling, like what I was viewing was sacred.

CARLOS RUNCIE TANAKA, Huayco / Kawa / Río, 2003-2006 (photo by Finijo)

The ceramic balls shown above brought to mind a Japanese Zen garden of sand and stones. Walking among the ceramic balls, the sense of tranquility was visceral. The lighting was perfect and the music only enhanced the feeling.

CARLOS RUNCIE TANAKA, Manto, 1978-2006 (photo by finijo)

According to the Station Museum website:

Carlos Runcie-Tanaka is an artist with superb artistic skills, compelling visual
insights and a profoundly spiritual sense of mystery. He was born in Lima, Peru;
his heritage is Peruvian, Japanese and English. Lima is the multi-cultural
capital of Peru on the Pacific coast of South America. With over eight million
inhabitants, Peru’s demographic consists of Indigenous people, Europeans,
Americans and Afro-Peruvians.

Galveston One Year Post Ike

2009-09-21T00:23:00.005-05:00

Galveston Stairs by Finijo

I visited Galveston a year after Hurricane Ike left his mark on the island. The day was windy and cool and quite beautiful. It was like most days in Galveston, but the clean up since Ike is almost complete and there is so much new construction that you would hardly believe that the devastation that took place just a year ago even happened.

Kettle House by Finijo

This is one of my favorite structures on the island. I am not even sure how it came to be, but this

is what I could find out about the Kettle House from the Galveston Shuttle:

KETTLE HOUSE, GALVESTON TEXAS - According to the “Weird Texas” by Wesley Treat, Heather Shade and Rob Roggs, the Kettle House in Galveston was “supposedly erected by a gentleman who used to build storage tanks for oil companies.” Neighbors no little of the man, but the house house has been there over 50 years and has survived Hurricane Ike. No one lives there even though a man is sometimes seen there making improvements only to disappear for months again.

Ike's Truck by Finijo

This truck can be found on what is left of a pier off of Seawall Blvd. heading West on the island. It has been there since the storm and the pier is in need of repair before it will be retrieved. In spite of a sign saying that that pier will be open again soon, it does not look like anything has been done there since Ike, other than to erect a fence to keep people off of it.

Birds Recycle by Finijo

If you click on this photo, you will get an idea of how well nature adapts after a natural disaster and how well it manages to deal with the waste we leave behind. Someone is out a truck, but now many birds call that truck home. I almost hope they leave it out there. It would be a shame to see them lose their home.

Galveston Blooper

2009-09-20T00:04:00.003-05:00

Galveston Blooper by Finijo

I took this footage by accident during a trip to Galveston. I didn't realize the video setting was on, so the shot I meant to take is the one that I finally settled on at the end of the footage. I will get the hang of it eventually.

Art Opening with Dawn

2009-09-19T04:53:00.000-05:00

Oriole by Finijo

Dawn and I scheduled one of our dinners out, but then she got a better idea. A former employer of hers, Jim Blackburn (an environmental attorney who does really good things in Texas) sent out an e-mail about an art opening he was having, so we went to the opening before dinner.

Heron by Finijo

The show was held at The Art League (next to Inversion Coffee House) and it was titled: Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision by Jim Blackburn and Isabel Scurry Chapman. Ms. Chapman painted birds native to Texas on cigar boxes and Mr. Blackburn wrote poetry about each bird and it all connected with the conservation that is so close to his heart.

The Grackle by Finijo

After the opening, we went to Barnaby's for Dinner. Ryan was our waiter and he was both funny and charming, as usual. Dawn is now a fan of Barnaby's burgers - which are arguably some of the best in Houston. We need to schedule more of our outings, but we always seem to get caught up in our day to day lives and just don't make time like we should. Maybe we will do better in the coming year...

Patty Visit for Patsy's Wedding

2009-09-12T23:39:00.002-05:00

Patsy's Rhinestone Wedding Hair by Finijo

I got a call today from Patsy telling me that Patty was in town for her wedding. Patty had come all the way from West Virginia and I was very excited to be able to surprise her during her visit. Because of the festivities I only got to spend a little over an hour with them, but I got to sit with them while they got their hair done for the wedding (which was planned in a Cowgirl theme). I really do need to plan a trip to West Virginia to visit Patty and about 45 cousins up on a mountain...

Little Rock 2009

2009-08-20T22:41:00.007-05:00

Crisp Morning Swim by Finijo

I was surprised at how cool it was in the evening and how chilly it was in the morning. The pool stayed warm, though. I have always enjoyed Arkansas early in the morning - the smells, the sounds, and the way the world looks when the sun is coming up and you are drinking a cup of coffee. Add to that an early morning swim, and it doesn't get much better.

Connor Night Swim by Finijo

This photo shows another surprise of the trip. The gawky teenager we sent to work for David four weeks before had somehow begun to look like a young man by the time we came to pick him up. The hours of manual labor resulted in his developing man muscles and even in his growing what seemed like a full inch.

The Mansion by Finijo

This shot is at the far end of one of the two ponds that David installed in front of the mansion. Connor, Marilyn and David are walking up the driveway and feeding crackers to the fish on the way to view the house. The last time we saw it, it wasn't quite finished. Now all is complete, except the furnishing.

View to the White House by Finijo

This is a view from the bedroom balcony over the living room and outside down the driveway to the smaller house and pool. I like the way the light looks coming through the windows across the wood floors. It is a spectacular room.

Livingroom Interior by Finijo

This photo shows the living room back to the mid-level bathroom and the stairway up to David's bedroom and office area. I think he must have used half a forest for the paneling and floors of his new home.

Master Bathroom by Finijo

This is one of the best features of the house. He outdid himself in the design of this room. A garden jacuzzi tub, dual sinks, and the incredible shower with 4 shower heads.

Ecstasy by Finjo

This is what bliss looks like in the form of water. There is a rain head above, a shower head aimed at your noggin, another aimed at your chest and a fourth shower head that hits you right in the bum. Until you have felt a multi-headed shower, I think you cannot fully understand the appeal. It is hard to make yourself turn off the water and leave.

BRICOLAGE

The Ringlebens

Stick 'Em Up Sneak Peek

Randomness

London - Day 1

Street Art - Ack and Weah

Eyecon by Eyesore

Mixed Media Workshop

Symbol

All My Friends Are Superheroes

Response from ADL

Anti-Defamation League Errs

Crowded House Show

The Austin Motel

Chagall and Chardonnay

156 Gallon Rain Barrel (YAY!!!)

Plop

Eclectic Menagerie Park

Almeda Abandoned

Daniel Anguilu

Erick Going Going Gonzalez

Armory Art

Mt. Caramel Missionary Baptist Church

Downtown Perspective

Vision Auto Glass

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way...

Transformers

Lunar New Year Festival

Sammy's Third Birthday

Thaw

Tea On A Sunny Afternoon

China Bear and Bonsai China Art

Tien Tao Temple

Vietopia

Give Up

Yori Yori

May's Beads

Cafe Kubo's Sushi

Ramune

Happy New Year!!

Deep And Tangential Thoughts On A Cold Grey Morning

Vegetable Soup

Coby Brown and The Coffee House

Fish City Grill

Trish and Darin Murphy

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Projects

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Foggy Morning

Through the Glass

martin zet: necessity

Sneaky Scientology Bastards

Great Verizon Commercial

Miss Mary

What The Hell Is Wrong With Us?

Christmas Parties

The Road

*****SNOW*****

Necessary Funny

Super H Mart

Julian in the Woods

Fragrance Commercials

Truly Happy Thanksgiving

Sales Monkey

McCafe

Inari

Sasaki

Dateline: Cats

Cipher In The Snow

Embarrassed :(

Unexpected

Street Art Garden

What the F@#$?

SGI Memorial

Annise Parker

Kofu Gongyo

Catching Up Again...

Beck's Prime on Halloween

Transparent Degeneration

Galveston Bluster

SNOW