Paxton (formerly known as Porky) Update

Paxton and Cody by Cody Soutar

Paxton (the handsome rescue dog, formerly known as Porky) is going GREAT in his new home with Cody. He's making friends with the neighborhood pups, he is running at the dog park, and racing greyhounds at Cody's mother's home. Paxton is enjoying a much more active lifestyle than he did while he was convalescing at Casa Mantequilla, and it appears that it agrees with him. We miss him - especially when we are eating popcorn or bananas (two of his favorite treats), but we are very grateful that he is home now, with Cody. I love that picture, I think they have the same expression on their faces. Great match!

Heidi Hooper

Parrot by Heidi Hooper

This is kind of amazing to me. There is an artist, Heidi Hooper, who makes art from dryer lint. She is a cancer survivor who switched mediums from metalsmithing to lint paintings, because of the ease of use. I like that her work is not only beautifully colorful, but it it also eco-friendly.

After Breakfast

Train Pass by Finijo

A couple of times a month, I am lucky enough to have breakfast with Matt and Sky. Sometimes when David is in town, I get the pleasure of his company, too.

Main Street Train by Finijo

After breakfast at Tacos-A-Go-Go, I snapped a few shots. I have been really drawn to the light rail lately and I think I am going to have to get serious about doing a series of train photos. Robot Head by Finijo

I think it's time for Sky and I to head back downtown to finish the photoshoot that was interrupted last month.

Saffie and the Give a $#*% Stray

We have a stray cat who wanders daily through our yard. Our cats have noticed (we think with envy) how he roams freely through the yard they are forbidden to enter. Saffie did her best to get her point across, but the stray was completely unphased.

Hand Carved

Teak Bicycle by Finijo

I spotted this hand carved, teak wood bicycle hanging in a bicycle shop on Bellaire Blvd. (next to the Black Eyed Pea). I talked to the shop owner about it and he said he picked it up at a swap meet for about $350.00. He said he rode it once from the back of his store, to the front of his store and that the wooden seat was so uncomfortable that he had his employees hang it up as a work of art. It is a truly gorgeous bike and everything on the bike is made of wood, except the tires, some hardware and the chain. Amazing!

Yay, Connor!!

Connor Brown Belt/Black Stripe by MEG

Connor earned his brown belt/black stripe, and is now on his way to getting his black belt now! He is really excited (as are we) and he's put in a lot of hard work. If he keeps at it the way he has been, he will earn his black belt in about 18 months - before he finishes high school. I am so proud of him for keeping at it and not giving up, even when he's tired and going through growing pains. Way to go, Con!

Madness

Madness by Finijo

On the way into work I found myself behind the most interesting motorcycle I think I have seen.

Madness Side View by Finijo

It was even more interesting to me because a woman was riding it, and she named her motorcycle - Madness.

Madness Front View by Finijo

I followed her and when she arrived at her destination, I took several photos. I am not one to really notice motor vehicles of any type, but I think this bike is pretty cool.

Mother and Child

Mother and Child by Mrs. Anderson

This is a painting done by Mrs. Anderson. She reproduced a painting that appeared in Living Buddhism and she plans to send it to the FNCC as a way of showing her devotion to SGI. It was done with oils and it is truly beautiful, both in composition and in the depth and richness of the color.

Mrs. Anderson and Painting by Finijo

Mrs. Anderson is about 4'11" and she's 88 years old. She volunteers, she gardens, she performs Japanese, Line, and Hip-Hop dance (I've seen her do this) and she is a spit fire. In short, she is a hero of mine, and I hope I have her energy and her zest for life when I am her age. She's an inspiration.

Hamlet 2

It's been a long time since I did a movie review, but Hamlet 2 warrants the mention. I have not seen a comedy that made me laugh repeatedly in a really long time, but Hamlet 2 had so many ridiculous lines, I could not help myself.

The cast is great. Steve Coogan (British actor who played Alan Partridge) is a high school drama teacher who is trying to put on the "big show" to save the Drama Department from budget cuts. He writes an original musical, Hamlet 2, with great songs like, "Rock Me Sexy Jesus." The sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet includes a time machine, dance numbers, You can find the soundtrack at Amazon.com. His wife is played by Catherine Keener, and their roommate Gary is played by David Arquette. The humor in this film is irreverent and rapid fire, so if you aren't paying attention, some of the lines will fly by. Of course, Marilyn and I laughed the hardest at some of the phrases exclaimed "ass turd monkey fucker," and "I feel like I've been raped in the face" come to mind. I know, vulgar and sophomoric, but in the context they were used, also quite funny. There is a scene with the parents of a Latino student that is a scream. Hamlet 2 reminds me a lot of Saved, so of course I thought it was great.

Current TV

Several years ago I discovered a cable TV channel (TRIO) that I really enjoyed. It had great content, documentaries, original programming, and it made me think. When that channel disappeared off of my dial, I thought I was out of luck for interesting TV (except of course for the dramas on FX), until recently when I discovered Current TV. I remember hearing about an Al Gore backed TV channel, but I never really watched it until a few weeks ago. Now, it is one of the few channels that I view with any regularity. I really like their Vanguard series and the fact that the channel promotes green living, green businesses, and a world culture, rather than the typical consumerism and capitalism that we usually see on TV.

If you get a chance, check it out. Current TV has documentaries, music videos, interviews, news, and a lot of original programming that I think is worth viewing. It's very fast paced programming, and the shows and news on Current TV are interactive and integrated with the Internet. I think the programming on Current will appeal to people who are used to multitasking and used to the Internet. I can see how watching this channel would be difficult for people who have not spent a considerable time using computers, because there is a manic quality built into the presentation of the shows and content. The only thing I have found disappointing is that whenever I try to use the website, my computer slows to almost a halt. I'm sure it's the fact that my computer is several years old, but it's still frustrating.

When Sammies Attack

This is footage that was taken of Sammy and Connor having more fun than expected. I especially love the way Sky is checking out her photos with great focus and in almost perfect oblivion while Sammy goes nuts on Connor. I laugh every time I watch it.

Porky's Adoption Attempt

We took Porky to the Furry Pals Rescue at Highland Village yesterday, and tried to adopt him out. When I arrived after a half day of being crated and hanging out with strangers, he was more than a little glad to see me coming to pick him up. It was pretty sad really. They told us that he would be harder to adopt out, because he was black. They weren't sure why, but it was pretty clear to me - it's racism, man.

Porky is a lucky dog, because Robyn located a wonderful new friend, Cody, who wants to take Porky home with him. Porky will never have to be displayed like a slab of meat for sale again. He should be going to his new home in the Heights next Sunday, cross fingers!

Sky Train Shoot

Wheeler Station by Finijo

Sky and I took the light rail train from Wheeler Station to the end of the line at One Main Street (University of Houston Downtown) and back again. Along the way, we had a good time, and got some interesting shots of downtown Houston.

Blue Train Interior by Finijo

This shot was taken as we pulled out, so it is a little shaky, but so is the trip, so I like the effect. It looks like it felt.

Silver Tube by Finijo

This was taken at the University of Houston Downtown from the parking deck. I think it may be my favorite shot of the day.

Dean's Home of Easy Credit by Finijo

Dean's Credit Clothing has been on Main Street in Houston forever, but now the old department store is a hipster bar. Progress? Who knows...

Green and White House by Finijo

This structure is one of the most beautiful buildings downtown, in my opinion. I think there is a law office in it now, but it is likely that it was once a home for some lucky family, back when transportation in the city was either horse drawn or a trolley.

Green and White Turret by Finijo

This is just an architectural detail of the building shown above. It's my favorite part of one of my favorite buildings on Main Street.

Under Time by Finijo

This is the Louis and Annie Friedman Clock Tower not far off of Main Street in downtown Houston. We received a call that cut short our photo shoot, but we also realised that there are several places we want to get back to try to get the shots we missed this time around. Thank you to Caryn and Matt for trusting me with your daughter. Thank you, Sky, for another great shoot.

Sunset Approaching Wheeler Station

This shot was taken through the scratched up plexiglass window of the Metro train. I pointed it directly at the sunset in defiance of the bright light that was blinding me and sending rapidly towards a migraine. Thank you to Caryn and Matt for trusting me with your daughter. Thank you, Sky, for another great shoot.

Holy $&@#!

Cross and Baptismal by Finijo

While traveling down I-45 with Connor, I exited Beltway 8 and and as I started up the steep incline and rounded the corner, I found myself face to face with the biggest freaking cross I have ever seen in my life. I literally exclaimed "HOLY SHIT!"

Caged Cross by Finijo

The cross rises up over the beltway when nothing else does. It's just cross and sky for as far as the eye can see. I am both drawn to and completely repelled by this behemoth of a structure. I've gone back twice to take photos, and I know I will have to go back again.

Holy Shit! by Finijo

The cross belongs to the Sagemont Church, formerly known as Sagemont Baptist Church. It is on a campus that looks like it was purchased for expansion. Something tells me that the long term plans for this church is to out mega the mega churches, like Lakewood.

Cross to Bear by Finijo

Scientology Protest

Scientology Hates Free Speech by Finijo

While in Austin over the weekend, we encountered this group of protesters in front of the Church of Scientology storefront on Guadalupe. That same storefront was used by them when I attended college at UT. When I was there, nobody bothered to protest, because it was just understood that it was a cult, so we all steered clear. Every now and then, one of the depressed or lost students would come back to the dorm after getting their "free personality test," from the Dyanetics Center, and think they stumbled upon the meaning of life. They were usually met with either pity or mockery, and if that wasn't enough to deter them, they eventually became disillusioned with Mr. Hubbard's cash cow of a "religion," and drifted away from it. I never knew anyone who got the personality test, became a Scientologist, and was never heard again, but I don't doubt that could happen. A cult is a cult - whether Tom Cruise is the spokesperson for the cult, or not.

Anonymous Protesters by Finijo

Instead of protesters, this Dyanetics Center usually had a table out front manned by volunteers handing out pamphlets and trying to entice students to enter the center to take the free personality test. I don't recall there being a security guard back then, especially since most of us cut a wide swath to avoid having to deal with the annoyance of the volunteers trying desperately to make eye contact. I guess that's the difference that 25 years can make. I fear that the cult of celebrity has had quite an impact on the cult of Scientology, and it is now a name brand that people recognize. What Madonna did for Kabbalah a few years ago has also been done with Scientology, but like Kabbalah, I think this fad will have to wither. Unless a movement has more substance than style, it will fade.

Anonymous

This is the flier that was being distributed by the protesters. Thanks to Dave, I have a link for information about Anonymous. I love their tag line: Anonymous is legion. We do not forget. We do not forgive. Expect us. How scary is that? I'm American, so I love the underdog, the rebel, the revolutionary; but I think they may be missing their mark and coming across a little terroristic. I know people throw the "T" word around too much since the demise of our civil liberties under Bush, but I think they should include something that makes them more people friendly. Maybe, Anonymous: We are legion. We do not forget. We are here for the people. O.K. , that's lame, but you can see what I am getting at. A faceless organization that is unforgiving is pretty much describing the Scientologists, Fortune 500 Companies, most bureaucracies, and most governments. As much as I love underdogs and rebels, I dislike mob mentality, and there is definitely the opportunity for Anonymous to become a bully organization, if they do not keep themselves in check. That said, I also understand why they would take on Scientology in masks - there is a part of me that expects to be contacted by Scientology's attornies for exercising my right to free speech in this blog. If I do, then I may find myself in a mask at the next protest. We shall see...

Cult of Greed

Sorry the scanned copy is a bit grainy. The best part of this flier is not the written description of why Scientology is a bad thing, but the watermark graphic that looks like an alien overlord. Some kind of alien demon oppressor here to enslave humanity. One of my favorite classes in college was a class on propaganda - and this flier is as perfect an example as I can think of. I say that with admiration (really), because anyone who has read up on Scientology, has heard of the alien connection. Propaganda is not by its nature false information, it can very often be factual. It's the packaging of the info that makes it propaganda - and I must say, I love the packaging of Anonymous. From the uber cool V for Vendetta masks, to their willingness to stand up against one of the scariest organizations I know of -Scientology. Keep up the good work, Anonymous, just don't let it go to your head. I would hate to hear that you used your power for evil, instead of good.