Inspire

This spoke to me and I thought it nice to share it today:

"To lead a life in which we are inspired and can inspire others,
our hearts have to be alive'
they have to be filled with passion and enthusiasm.
To achieve that, we need the courage to "live true to ourselves."
And to live true to ourselves,
we need the strength of mind not to be swayed by our environment
or be obsessed with vanity and superficial appearances.
Rather than borrowing from or imitating others,
we need the conviction to be able to think for ourselves
and to take action from our own sense of responsibility. "

Daily Encouragement From Poet Laureate Daisaku Ikeda

A Bite of SFSounds

here are few things, sounds from san francisco...

Our very own Ink co-blogger and talented singer-songwriter musician Ian was interviewed recently on KFOG Radio now avail on-line

Mystery Music Men of Myspace.
They call themselves the Negative Divine.... if they are still going by this name they seem to disappear and reappear every so often under different names.
Developing songs like "Ellis and Jones".

TMODM-Turn Me On Dead Man
- yes, we still like them...from Technicolour Mother, Her Planet is Love
On Emusic and the review below.


Review by Megan Frye, All Music Guide
San Francisco's Turn Me on Dead Man's second album plays like a journey into space. The album blends the headbanger-worthy riffs and hooks of stoner metal with the spacey nostalgia of psychedelic prog rock and the loud, raw energy of alternative rock. Guitarist, sitarist, and frontman Mykill Ziggy's detached vocals and effects pedals give the album a feeling of floating aimlessly in space. Technicolour Mother explodes with the exceedingly distorted prog rock instrumental "Child in the Sunburst Pyramid" and never lets up. The album is divided between melodies and full-on metal assaults. "Pharmaceutical Rainbows," with its onslaught of a suffocating heavy metal solo, sounds like it's ripping a black hole into outer space. On the other hand, "Galaxina" and "Her Planet Is Love" are sweet, but no less loud and distorted, with candy like vocals. Turn Me on Dead Man define their own genre, and Technicolour Mother is pure enjoyment. Advice: listen to this one loud; really loud.

Hollywood Antics

This is pretty hilarious! Below excerpted the first part from Joel Stein's Opinion Column in the LA Times, this one entitled "How Jewish is Hollywood?"


Stein:
I have never been so upset by a poll in my life. Only 22% of Americans now believe "the movie and television industries are pretty much run by Jews," down from nearly 50% in 1964. The Anti-Defamation League, which released the poll results last month, sees in these numbers a victory against stereotyping. Actually, it just shows how dumb America has gotten. Jews totally run Hollywood.

How deeply Jewish is Hollywood? When the studio chiefs took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times a few weeks ago to demand that the Screen Actors Guild settle its contract, the open letter was signed by: News Corp. President Peter Chernin (Jewish), Paramount Pictures Chairman Brad Grey (Jewish), Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger (Jewish), Sony Pictures Chairman Michael Lynton (surprise, Dutch Jew), Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer (Jewish), CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves (so Jewish his great uncle was the first prime minister of Israel), MGM Chairman Harry Sloan (Jewish) and NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker (mega-Jewish). If either of the Weinstein brothers had signed, this group would have not only the power to shut down all film production but to form a minyan with enough Fiji water on hand to fill a mikvah.

The person they were yelling at in that ad was SAG President Alan Rosenberg (take a guess). The scathing rebuttal to the ad was written by entertainment super-agent Ari Emanuel (Jew with Israeli parents) on the Huffington Post, which is owned by Arianna Huffington (not Jewish and has never worked in Hollywood.)

For the rest visit http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-stein19-2008dec19,0,4676183.column

Skincare Gods and Goddesses

We can definitely say these professionals are providing services and products that truly deliver results. A shared passion about their work; continuing to develop new techniques and products that reach beyond.

The best facial experience to be found on earth, we have concluded, is in San Francisco at Le Sanctuaire, www.lesanctuaire.com . Founded by Goddess, Rebecca Whitworth who has been in business for over 15 years and constantly keeps it fresh. Rebecca incorporates many different elements into a very superb overall treatment, hot stones, minerals, aromatic flower essences.
You and your skin will be transported into a very new dimension, and the H'uile De Grace is worth treating yourself to afterwards.

Designed for both men and women, l’huile de grace penetrates deep into your skin to provide the nutrients and cellular building blocks that enhance your skin’s health while providing a healthful glow and youthful appearance.


L’huile de grace is crafted from 100% natural, cold processed ingredients that have never been heated or chemically altered in any way from their original form.

L’huile de grace contains the very best documented essential oils in the area of skin regeneration and preservation, including certified organic Helichrysum (Corsica), Neroli (Tunisia), Geranium (Madagascar), Rose Otto (Turkey), wild crafted Frankincense (Somalia), Vetyver (El Salvador) and Cardamom (Guatemala).


Rocky at Golden Aromatherapy has crafted a most amazing face cream mainly consisting of very pure rose and lavender and other blessed essential oils and elements. Skin perfection. For the lotion and other essentials from Rocky - www.goldenaromatherapy.net

Thunder Love

Is the latest from Jai Uttal. I personally am a deeply devoted fan of his music. Def. recommend this one. Along with LoveLand and Music for Yoga (per below Thunder Love info). All available on-line (Itunes/Amazon)


BACKGROUND on Thunder Love
Love can take many forms—the physical, the emotional, the spiritual among them. Each can stand alone in a beautiful way, but when the myriad types of love entwine, truly revelatory things can occur—as they do throughout Thunder Love, the long-awaited new album by world music voyager Jai Uttal.
"I feel like this album is about opening up to love-finally," he says. "That involved letting go of a huge part of me that said 'I don't deserve love,' or on really bad days, 'love doesn't exist.' For me, it's taken big catharses to change those deep internal patterns. I've immersed myself in a great number of spiritual practices, but truly embracing human life...that's what brought me through the times of terrible darkness and addiction."

Upcoming Events

(photo: Kendall Whelpton)

March 1st
Open Studio, 1-5pm
Artist Reception, 5-8pm

(photo courtesy: Mitchell Glotzer)

Featuring "Man-I-Fest"

Lifesize mosaic mannequin from artist Sofia Harrison
other artists work showing:
Bren Bataclan
(Of the Smile Project)
Lynn Bridget
(Mandala Art)
Robyn Holmes
(Abstract Assemblage)
Scott Kildall
(Interactive Video Installations)
Alison Hart
(spoken word)

Open Studio Dates/Events

Sunday March 15th, 1-5pm, Followed by Messengers Screening

Thursday March 19th, 6-8pm, Artisan Wine Tasting

Sunday April 5th, 1-5pm, Artist Reception, 5-8pm

ink Studios
NoHo Arts District
11135 Weddington Street
220
North Hollywood, CA 91601
info-at-inkit-dot-com
Artists

(photo: Kendall Whelpton)


(photo: Kendall Whelpton)

Varnished: Not?

If you are looking for the Ink nail varnish products or other items, you may order via
Ink Yourself or info-at-inkit-dot- com with your request.

They Want to Rock

A line-up of bands comprised of tech geeks by day come out to rock in support of Music Education (Bay Area'sMusic in Schools Today) - Dec 3rd at the Great American Music Hall.

Tix are $60.

All Silent Auction Items Benefit Music in Schools Today, check them here Including guitar signed by Joe Satriani.
We will report in again, post performance.

San Francisco: Holiday Get Together - Hosted by Ink Studios & Fahbro Gallery

Featuring the select works of
Mark Mothersbaugh, of Devo fame, and Bay Area artist Tim Weldon

(Weldon Original Mixed Media Assemblage)
otra vez... y entonces
(again and again and then...)

SHOWROOM SALES
(Limited Edition Mark Mothersbaugh Litho)

At our SOMA space:
443 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(btw 1st and Fremont)
415 425 5683

Planetary Meditation for Peace - Monday 11/29

Friend Tyger Kahn will be hosting the special weekly meditation for the Planetary Peace Movement International.November 29, 6AM and 6PM PST. www.meditatepeace.com



The Planetary Meditation for Peace is a non-sectarian meditation that is practiced in over 70 countries throughout the world. This powerful universal meditation or prayer, can be used by almost anyone desiring to contribute loving energy toward achieving Global Harmony and World Peace.

The Planetary Meditation for Peace [also known as the Meditation on Twin Hearts], is a simple and effective meditation which fills the practitioner with tremendous Divine Energy. This energy is used to bless Mother Earth, our countries, our families and our friends, and all those who are in need of help.

In addition to the meditation Tyger will also be part of a discussion on Clairvoyance and how the Meditation on Twin Hearts can help you see better.

Tyger has studied for the past 15 years with Highly Respected Master Stephen Co of the American Institute of Asian Studies, and Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, founder of the Institute for Inner Studies in the Phillippines and the modern founder of Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga

For more information on Tyger Kahn

Artists And Artisan Friends

Artists (partial listing):

Visual Artists:
Robert Altman (Rock & Roll Photojournalism)
Mark Mothersbaugh (Illustrations)
Tim Weldon (Assemblage, Paintings)
Bren Bataclan (Paintings)
Lynn Bridget (Pen & Ink: Mandala Art)
J.Scott Cilmi (Mixed Media, Paintings)
Elaine Dennis (Mixed Media)
Mitchell Glotzer (Photography)
Sofia Harrison (Mixed Media, Glass Mozaic)
Scott Kildall(Conceptual/Digital Art)
JoeX2 (Urban Art)

Music:
Ian Rhett (Singer Songwriter)
The Negative Divine

Written/Spoken Word:
Demetra Diasinos
Alison Hart
Michael Mesmer

Artisans
Anatomy Wines
Berklee Press
Bite Me Cupcakes
Butterfly Maiden Design
Calistoga Roastery
EO Products
Excetelyne Guitar Cables
Le Sanctuaire - Skincare
Lynch Vineyards
Pahlmeyer Wine
NapaStyle Gourmet
Red Ink Wine
Vibramate Music Products
Woodhouse Chocolates

A Puzzling Way With Words

The Puzzlemaster Scott Kim


I met Scott when I was working in Font technology for Adobe, then at Apple; circa early 1990's Silicon Valley. Scott was designing typefaces along with many other quite intriguing projects.



Scott gifted me with a personalized copy of his trippy "Inversions" book. And that is quite some gift he has, he wowed me in about 2 seconds when he signed it drawing my name as an inversion (spelled front and backwards the same). If you look closely, the book title "Inversions" is Scott Kim as an inversion. Brilliant!

Later Scott redesigned a logo for the window of the "new" Paradise Lounge (historic music venue in San Francisco) so that the sign would feel Bohemian and be read if on a window or glass from both sides,he came up wit this design. Unfortunately, that venue closed under new ownership after a few short years.

Inspiration

These videos are rather awesome - both of them.
Illusion & Reality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF6jhQ2MRx0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpbM_huqHBs


How very synchronistic that I was just discussing Mandelbrot and fractals with friend and PhD. Mathematician Dan Lynch this past week - and Dan certainly is an inspiration.

Tonight there is a full moon in Taurus, excerpt below from Nancy O's Moon Report on its significance http://www.nancymillerogren.com)

This Full Moon calls us to ground ourselves upon our
divine core rather than material resources, to live in
accordance with spiritual as well as physical realities. It
calls us to face our fears, own our power, and let go of
what patterns no longer serve us. We’re not only back on
a purposeful track, but we are truly stepping up into a
whole new way of living and learning.

Remember: “What the caterpillar calls the end of the
world, the master calls a butterfly.” (Chuang Tse)

Distinct Saturation

November 2008
Enter the magical “Soul Dance Theatre” of life through artist Tim Weldon’s mixed media art -
on limited engagement in Los Angeles

Additional artists showing: Mark Mothersbaugh, Sofia Harrison, Mitchell Glotzer, JoeX2

Open Studio Dates:
Nov. 15, 12-6pm
Artist Reception 6-8pm
Nov 16, 12-6pm
Nov 20, 6-9pm

Ink Studios
NoHo Arts District
11135 Weddington Street (@Lankershim)
Studio #220 (off street)
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(at the NoHo Metro station)
323 875 3408

Nov Show

INK Studios in the NoHO Arts District will host an open studio
Nov 15th and 16th, 12-6pm
Artist Reception Nov 15th, 6-8pm
Nov 20th, 6-9pm
Lofts at NoHo Commons
11135 Weddington Street
(btw Lankershim & Vineland- map)
Studio 220
NoHo, CA 91601
Guest Parking under structure at Fair St. off Chandler or take Metro to NoHO

Distinct Saturation:
Featuring work from various artists

Tim Weldon, Mixed Media Paintings
Weldon practices what might be called "a carnival of folkloric figuration." As an artist with raw vision, Weldon’s vibrant, expressionistic and thought provoking works have gained him respect among artists, collectors, critics and the viewing public. He transcends the viewer into his imaginative world of passion-through flights of fancy and trials and tribulations. Throughout this journey of human emotion, Weldon’s energy and focus is directed by serendipitous exploration, uncovering dreamlike imagery and spirited movement.

Mark Mothersbaugh, Illustrations
During his downtime on early worldwide tours with DEVO, Mark Mothersbaugh began illustrating on postcards to send to his friends and family, which he still creates, and has been creating every day for over 30 years. Mark explains "I’ve probably got around 30,000 of them filed away now….and I keep making more every day. The limited edition prints are my way of sharing these personal images with other people around the world.”

Joex2, urban artist
Previously limited to the underground subculture of municipal art, this past year he emerged with rapid fire in solo and group shows spanning from New York City to San Francisco. Learning the craft of fine art from his father, a painter and Trinidad native, Joe Joe’s talent is vastly displayed in his old school styles depicting everything from island flavor to cultural materialism.

Mitchell Glotzer, Photography
Although I enjoy all aspects of photography, I am passionate about both the experience and photographic results achieved through long exposure low light-night photography. The ability of the camera to accumulate light results in images which the human eye cannot duplicate.




http://theviewfinders.blogspot.com/2008/07/talkin-on-broken-glass.html










Sofia Harrison, Glass Mosaic Assemblages
Harrison's work embodies the collective thought patterns of our society: fractured but connected, expressing the combat of individuality, encompassing desire, spirit and reason. Media: paper, words, glass, paint, discarded and found objects, glue and grout.

I

More Details on these artists

Post Election Elation!

And Click to CHECK THIS Music Inspired by Obama's "Come Together"




(photo courtesy of Lynch Ranch archives)

Note From Jai- Please make a heart-felt inquiry

Note:
We love the mesmerizing music of Jai Uttal, a true gift. Our favorites are-Loveland and Music for Yoga and All Live performances

Here's a link to a site where a group of Spiritual Leaders encourage us to Vote For Change, Jai is among this list, along with Deepak Chopra and many others. Below is an outtake.

As spiritual leaders signing this letter we are stepping forward to say: “We can make a difference.” As our spiritual practice empties, opens and strengthens us, we are naturally moved to engage in the world with compassion, equanimity, and the dedication to live our values.

We know many of you are already both concerned and involved in this year’s Presidential election. Yet, in the past weeks, many of us have heard friends in the spiritual community expressing ambivalence about voting. When asked why they wouldn't vote we heard things like: “It doesn’t make any difference”; “I’m more interested in spiritual practice than politics”.

Humanity is at a crossroads. We can no-longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We are asking you to get engaged.

The 2000 presidential election was decided by just 500 votes and this November appears to be just as close. Every vote matters. Your vote and the votes in your community could make the difference.

Please make a heart-felt inquiry and look at the candidates. Ask yourself who best reflects the values you want to live by – those of spirituality in action.

• Who do you believe will lead this country and the world in the direction you would like to see it move?
• Which candidate will foster security through international cooperation rather than wars of aggression?
• Which candidate will move policy most quickly toward a sustainable habitable planet for future generations?
• Which candidate will most support our commitment to human rights and equal opportunity for all people?

...and then Vote. Let your voice be heard.

Together there is nothing we cannot do.

Get Ink Here

Order Ink below
Or
Email us: info-at-inkit-dot-com
or you may ring 415 425 5683.

Colour Styles

MagicRuby Ink (color changing) $9.99 Respect Ink (Classic Red) $8.99 Karma Ink (Midnight Blue) $8.99 Cosmic Ink (Black) $8.99 StarDust (Matte Pewter) $8.99 Vintage Ink (Burgundy) $8.99 Invisible Ink (Base&TopCoat) $6.99 Disappearing Ink (Varnish Remover) $6.99

Rock The Vote!

No, really, I said ROCK THE VOTE!!!! I CAN'T HEAR YOU !!!!!!!

And silence was heard in the hyperactively interlinked vacuum of cyberspace...

But really... ROCK THE VOTE. This election needs to be a landslide*. An unprecedented show of power from people who care about the future. That's you. Start with your vote (go right now and get her done!) and then do one other thing. Call voters, make a donation, drive someone to the polls, call your family, travel to a swing state. Just do something. Get involved.

When I say Rock The Vote, I'm not talkin' celebrity PSA's on MTV. I'm talkin about bringing your passion, your drive, your heart, your orgasm, your music and do something that becomes incredible when you do it with thousands and millions of people around the world, really. It starts with a few friends in a garage and then it becomes a national frakin movement. It's called collective action.

I'm talking about Rocking The F*ing Vote.

So go do it, people. Five days and counting.


* Special props to the Rock The Vote peeps for getting people re-engaged in politics. I've definitely been inspired by RTV and understand the importance of their being impartial, but this one's different, in my opinion. And it's my blogpost, so nyah.

BE A ROCK STAR & INK on Nov 4th

EXPRESS YOURSELF, ROCK THE VOTE & INK - 11/4/08

Check out this Johnny Cash video "I AM THE NATION" a never released track recorded by Cash in Hendersonville, Tennessee. In the spoken word track ­ which was found in the iconic singer's personal belongings after his death in 2003 at the age of 71 ­ Cash speaks poetically about America's diversity and the fundamentals of freedom.

For 411 on the Electoral Vote


INK Inquiries -info-at-inkit-dot-com

SIDENOTES:

Game Tech Related:
Tres game chic guitar geek, Logitech is coming out with a Premium "Remote" aka Wireless Guitar to enhance the already blasted Guitar Hero experience. Its proven that Logitech kicks ass when it comes to remotes, this guitar seems in line with the Logitech quality design and performance keeping - featuring Wood Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, MEtal Frets and a Gig bag. How's that for street cred in the gaming world? Let see how she does, this baby ships just in time for the holidays.
Other Music Related:

(some interesting new 'ghetto tech music we found cuts of; trippy guitar, thought - provocative lyrics ala negative divine)

Slacker!!

COOL - AND - NEW
A "tween" of Ipod and Internet Radio its the SLACKER
Personalized Radio Player
Customize your own Radio Stations and No Advertizing

You buy the device and get Millions of songs free -available on Slacker.com



Oh, and there's an Obama station on it too.

LowDown:
The Slacker G2 plays unlimited free music on one sleek, ultra-portable player. Whether you listen to one of over 100 expert-programmed Slacker radio stations or custom stations that you create, the music evolves as you listen. New songs are personally selected for you and automatically loaded on the Slacker G2 so your radio stations are always ready to play wherever you go. The Slacker G2 delivers free access to millions of songs from thousands of artists, featuring the best music from all of the major labels and thousands of independents.

Listen to unlimited free music
Displays album art and reviews, artist bios and more
Built-in Wi-Fi automatically adds free music when connected
Music plays whether connected or not
Plays your MP3 collection

Legendary Jazz & Blues Musicians Converge for Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Finals - LA Oct 26th

Stellar Jazz evening at Kodak Theatre for the finalists in Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition; which is the most prestigious jazz competition in the world and is often compared to the classical Van Cliburn competition. It has launched the careers of a number of major young jazz stars including Marcus Roberts, Joshua Redman, Jacky Terrasson, Joey DeFrancesco, and Jane Monheit.

This very special evening awards and acknowledges BBKing and Paul Allen - who will receive the Institute's Founder Award- for their outstanding contributions to the world of music.

Guests include blues and jazz greats; BBKing, Herbie Hancock. Wayne Shorter, Keb Mo, Robert Cray....many more- including the just very recently announced addition of Bono.
For more on the Institute
Check this Epistrophy-Thelonious Monk

Mo' Shroom Jazz...,

Famed DJ Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz - 6- comes available Oct 21st.
For a taste of the delight from OM Records

Artists

TIM WELDON
Self-Taught Artist
Born 1961, New York

And so it goes…The story of a dreamer in focus, the “little man” larger than life, a metamorphosis of sorts, the juxtaposition of color that lives in the fiesta, echoes of music ranging from a bordello virus spilling into the backstreets of our minds, an ethereal world groove laced with American roots and the raw tap-tap of the dancer…and the word.

Before I touch upon the word it is necessary to address my subconscious instinct and the evolution of being a self-taught painter. Jean Dubuffet might refer to it as “art brut”, others would say “outsider art”, to me it is this… A word spawns an image, the image dances across the canvas to the beat of it’s own drummer and colors lead the way to new discovery.

My journey of discovery began some years ago within the confines of a chaotic environment. I was born in New York, the fifth child in a family of what came to be nine children. To some, being one in a large family might be overwhelming, for me it was truly an amazing experience and to this day I feel blessed to be so fortunate.

When I was a teenager, my family uplifted to a small town in New Mexico. The move was quite an adjustment, and at first New Mexico didn’t agree with me. Ironically, that changed when I moved away. Since then, the colors of “The Land Of Enchantment” have haunted me. My palette was born in New Mexico…it invokes the color of life; a photomontage of a primitive spirit.

The encouraging support of my parents and just the right dose of imagination allowed me to explore some of my wildest dreams no matter how crazy they seemed at the time. From cartoonist to theatrical dancer to music producer to painter with many odd jobs in between. I’ve come full circle after a long absence from the art world—my first true love.

This re-awakening to my first love started with a Bill Traylor painting I saw for the first time called “Runaway Goat Cart”. I’ll never forget it; Simple yet complex, raw yet graceful, child-like yet mature. It was a revelation for me and that day changed my life forever. You could say I felt the spirit move as the hair raised on my arms, tears fell from my eyes and a chill ran down my spine. Cliché, perhaps, but most definitely the truth.

The message was clear…It’s okay to paint from your inner child! Why not? The happiest times of my life were when I didn’t have a care in the world…pure and unblemished, wide-eyed and curious. “Real life” moved me into an illogical orbit that took me away from that innocence. Was that Bill Traylor sighting fate or chance? Probably both.

To find that inner child, I embarked upon a therapeutic adventure in painting…It was time. Fifteen years had passed since I last held a brush in my hand. All the other creative endeavors I had experienced left me with an insatiable appetite to bring the beauty of a musical landscape to life on canvas. Now it was time to start on the road to my release…but where would it come from? Since our consciousness is just a vehicle for our subconscious, one can never tell where this journey will lead.

Without looking, my muse came to me…Kitty. “In our garden of dreams whose beginning is at the surface of an infinite tenderness”. She inspired me to paint and became my muse, my love and my wife. Everything became brighter and more in focus than ever before. I finally let love in completely and was dying to express the way I felt. The canvas became my life-past, and present as well as a look into my secret world.

Three years after this adventure began, my wife and I gave birth to our son Finn…”The Little Man…breast fed for life in the wind and the spaces in between”. Now, as I strive to see life through his eyes, I feel compelled to dive deeper into my inner child, shed my adult skin one layer at a time and live in the moment. Everything around me appears new and exciting if only for a minute longer…oh, but what a wonderful minute! Is this reality or just a dream? Probably both.



MARK MOTHERSBAUGH

Mark's love of art started early in his childhood, just after it was discovered that he was extremely nearsighted and legally blind.

His first correctional glasses offered Mark a new view of the world, inspiring his obsession with imagery and illustrations. His first works, which he began creating in the late 60's and into the 70's, consisted of many different mediums, including rubber stamp designs, ink illustrations, screen printing, decals, and mail art. He participated in local showings, and received recognition for his work in his home town of Akron, Ohio.

With DEVO, his most successful music project, Mark was able to showcase his artistic abilities on a larger scale, and to millions of people. Through their films, videos, costumes, LP covers, stage shows, and printed materials, Mark and DEVO forever altered commonly held preconceptions of how a rock band should function in popular culture.

During his downtime on early worldwide tours with DEVO, he began illustrating on postcards to send to his friends, which he still creates, and has been creating every day for over 30 years; A very obsessive habit which still yields anywhere from 1 to 25 new images per day. These cards were originally created as his personal diaries, and were never intended for public viewing. That all changed when Mark decided to share his postcard works in his critically acclaimed solo shows during the 80's & 90's, and then with his gallery tour in 2003 titled HOMEFRONT INVASION!. This marked the beginning of many solo shows to come.

Mark followed the 2003 tour with his BEAUTIFUL MUTANTS tour in 2004, which showcased his photographic symmetrical creations and 'corrected' imagery. The tour distributed many more of Mark's works throughout the world, and attracted more first-time gallery visitors & art buyers to his shows.

Mark's gallery tours since 2005 have featured new works from both his Postcard Diaries Prints and Beautiful Mutants photographs, giving each gallery a choice of either visual theme. See the latest tour dates for 2008 here.




SOFIA HARRISON


I create because I have to; story telling under broken shards of glass amuses and placates the inner sprites. My work embodies the collective thought patterns of our society: fractured but connected, expressing the combat of individuality, encompassing desire, spirit and reason. I am mixed. Media: paper, words, glass, paint, discarded and found objects, glue and grout.


I started working with mosaics over 10 years ago when I was still working in my family’s winery. I made gifts for family and friends and while I enjoyed working with the various materials, the color and patterns, I felt something was lacking---I needed more. One night in my studio * ahem * laundry room, I set my wine glass on top of a magazine. When I turned my head to pick up the wine I noticed the word “explore” seemingly floating beneath the clear glass. Chance, destiny, does it even matter? A strange new excitement bubbled inside; I knew what I wanted to create. I would incorporate words into my art, and they would tell my stories.


The Materials & Process
I mainly cover old sash windowpanes, mannequin sculptures and furniture. Recently I have started working on wood boards. Truth is I will cover almost anything in glass and words if it’s not nailed down. I really enjoy using found objects, and I am a frequent ‘dumpster-diver’ and visitor to scrap yards --I like the idea of keeping things out of the landfills. I love glass, the feel the color and movement and I use a variety; stained, clear, dichrotic and mirror. I use oil pastels and or acrylics to paint out my piece first and then scrounge through magazines to clip out the words that will tell my stories. Each word is glued onto the hand cut glass and affixed to my ‘canvas’. I hand sand and grout the piece and then paint the grout. It is very much like traditional mosaic work but I have created my own twist through the incorporation of the word. When light shines from behind my windowpanes they become a different piece all together; I rather like the way the light can affect the piece.


JoeX2


JoeX2, is an urban artist. Previously limited to the underground subculture of municipal art, this past year he emerged with rapid fire in solo and group shows spanning from New York City to San Francisco. Learning the craft of fine art from his father, a painter and Trinidad native, Joe Joe’s talent is vastly displayed in his old school styles depicting everything from island flavor to cultural materialism.

Prior to being a visual voice of metropolitan expressionism, Joe Joe served as favorite of the entertainment trade with his work being seen regularly on the television shows CSI: NY, Everybody Hates Chris, and the music videos of P.Diddy, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Daddy Yankee. His work is also internationally publicized in magazines such as Mass Appeal, Vapors, Joints and Frank 151. With attention from industry heavyweights such as McDonalds and Telemundo in branding and advertising, his talent is limitless. He continues to prove his unique style and vision comfortably situated between the fast track of superstardom and starving artist.

His bodies of work include “Turnstyle”, a return to the roots of subway graffiti, “$treet Credit” a politically charged satire of issues affecting urban cultures set atop none other than plush black velvet, “Central Bookings” a highly stylized series of urban mug-shots ringing with tones of glamour-shots, and his latest signature patterned canvas in the series “Gridlock” and “Dope on a Rope”. His diversity is unique, his talent is limitless. Joe Joe currently resides in Los Angeles with his fiancé, Lucinda, and French bulldog, Bad Girl.


Mitchell Glotzer


After observing a presentation many years ago by famed night photographer, Michael Kenna, I became intrigued by low light, long exposure, night photography. The Napa and San Francisco Bay area, where I currently reside, have provided me with a playground to enjoy night photography.

I often experience a great sense of anxiety when I place myself in locations that are not without risk. The balance between the risk and the possibility of capturing a magical photograph is exhilarating. Night photography has allowed me to create beautiful images and to be at one with myself and the silence that surrounds me.

The ability of the camera to capture light over an extended period of time through long exposure photography often results in images that the human eye and mind are unable to duplicate. It is this law of long exposure photography that makes the night come alive.

Ink Studios: Opening : Distinct Saturation

INK Studios in the NoHO Arts District will host an open studio
Nov 15th and 16th, 12-6pm
Artist Reception Nov 15th, 6-8pm
Nov 20th, 6-9pm
Lofts at Noho Commons
11135 Weddington Street
(btw Lankershim & Vineland- map)
Studio 220
NoHo, CA 91601
Guest Parking under structure at Fair St. off Chandler or take Metro to NoHO

Distinct Saturation:
Featuring work from various artists

Tim Weldon, Mixed Media Paintings
Weldon practices what might be called "a carnival of folkloric figuration." As an artist with raw vision, Weldon’s vibrant, expressionistic and thought provoking works have gained him respect among artists, collectors, critics and the viewing public. He transcends the viewer into his imaginative world of passion-through flights of fancy and trials and tribulations. Throughout this journey of human emotion, Weldon’s energy and focus is directed by serendipitous exploration, uncovering dreamlike imagery and spirited movement.

Mark Mothersbaugh, Illustrations
During his downtime on early worldwide tours with DEVO, Mark Mothersbaugh began illustrating on postcards to send to his friends and family, which he still creates, and has been creating every day for over 30 years. Mark explains "I’ve probably got around 30,000 of them filed away now….and I keep making more every day. The limited edition prints are my way of sharing these personal images with other people around the world.”

Joex2, urban artist
Previously limited to the underground subculture of municipal art, this past year he emerged with rapid fire in solo and group shows spanning from New York City to San Francisco. Learning the craft of fine art from his father, a painter and Trinidad native, Joe Joe’s talent is vastly displayed in his old school styles depicting everything from island flavor to cultural materialism.

Mitchell Glotzer, Photography
Although I enjoy all aspects of photography, I am passionate about both the experience and photographic results achieved through long exposure low light-night photography. The ability of the camera to accumulate light results in images which the human eye cannot duplicate.














Sofia Harrison, Glass Mosaic Assemblages
Harrison's work embodies the collective thought patterns of our society: fractured but connected, expressing the combat of individuality, encompassing desire, spirit and reason. Media: paper, words, glass, paint, discarded and found objects, glue and grout.

I

Come by and enjoy life with us, we'll share the wine.



You are prepared to fully enjoy and appreciate the truth, beauty, and sacredness laid out around you in the form of your life. Reciprocate by sharing all the truth, beauty, and sacredness you hold within yourself. The Universe

Talkin' on Broken Glass

Artist Sofia Harrison "talks" openly on Broken Glass.

Harrison creates one of a kind mosaic assemblage on found objects including Dolls, Mannequins, Heart shapes and other forms.



"A MAN I FEST"
This particular piece is one of my favorite of her works and I happen to share a personal history with this particular "found object".

Carlos & Angels for the City

Santana swooped into LA for 2 nights of stellar performances with his 10-piece band and once again, did only what Carlos can; performed a healing ritual through the gift of his spirited music and message of universal peace, love and harmony.



Quote From an upcoming Rolling Stone interview with Carlos- talking to his band during rehearsals before the tour:
"As you know," Santana begins, "the theme of this tour is 'live your light.' I want the audience to be reminded that before they had all this stuff, this DNA and flesh and bones, they were made out of light. And that fighting and doubting and all that shit separates you from your light. And that the real light comes when you forgive and forget. And so what we want to do is not blind people but illuminate people. We want our music to make people's hair stand on end, and tears start coming down, and they don't even know why. That's our goal, man, in each town, each venue, and with each note. We are the architects of a new dawn."

Architects of a New Dawn is a new global network from Carlos.


The musical legend never disappoints .
With 4th row tix, we were blessed and fully ' in the healing' for 3 hours straight set, ending after midnight.

Smog Shoppe- LA

Miguel and Sherry from Marvimon have designed an amazing Green production event space in Culver City aptly named Smog Shoppe. Indeed a former shop of smog reduction, the space is private 6500 sq ft indoor and outdoor space, with cinephile quality surround sound, 20 foot digital cinema screen and is 100% solar powered.

Smog Shoppe is a great Sequel to their stunning existing event space in ChinaTown Marvimon, an old italian car dealership which they entirely revamped into an urban oasis, theatre and special events playground.



Both incredible inventive spaces. Stylish and professional, bravo!

Bejeweled

Some custom design beauties from our favorite designers...

Doria Ragland,
Lovely and distinctive as is she. I became a devotee of Doria when I discovered her at Agape soon after setting up shop in LA. Contantly get compliments when adorned in her designs. Bonus- and she also teaches classes on jewelry design...



Ruby Gallery on Haight St, San Francisco
One of my favorite spots, where 'The'famous MagicRuby necklace was found. We love these hand-painted, one of a kind pendants. Black Bird here


The artist makes tiny paintings on wood and uses it as the background underneath what ever has been embedded in the resin in the foreground.


Petals of Platinum, Diamonds and Rubies from 23rd Street Jewelers, Manhatten Beach, Santa Monica. So Sweet.

Julie Brown; Elegant and classy designs. Pictured: onion cut green amethyst with sterling hand clasp.

Capacitor Performs - San Francisco, NYC

Fusion Dance Group Capacitor performs "Biome" at the California Academy of Sciences Opening Ceremony Saturday Sept. 27th - FREE- at the Bandshell at 6pm.

You can catch them in NYC Oct 9-12th performing at the Joyce Theatre.

Temple Of Apollo at Delphi

Gateway at the temple at Delphi
Originally, Delphi was the site of an oracle of the earth goddess Gaia. The site was guarded by a monstrous serpent (or dragon, in some accounts) called Pytho. Apollo killed Pytho and forced Gaia to leave Delphi. Thereafter, the temple at Delphi belonged to Apollo's oracle.

Consulting the Oracle.
No one knows for certain how the process of consulting the Delphic oracle worked. However, over the years, a traditional account has been widely accepted. According to this description, a visitor who wanted to submit a question to the oracle would first make an appropriate offering and sacrifice a goat. Then a priestess known as the Pythia would take the visitor's question into the inner part of Apollo's temple, which contained the omphalos and a golden statue of Apollo. Seated on a three-legged stool, the priestess would fall into a trance.

After some time, the priestess would start to writhe around and foam at the mouth. In a frenzy, she would begin to voice strange words and sounds. Priests and interpreters would listen carefully and record her words in verse or in prose. The message was then passed on to the visitor who had posed the question. Some modern scholars believe that the priestess did not become delirious but rather sat quietly as she delivered her divine message.

Anyone could approach the oracle, whether king, public official, or private citizen. At first, a person could consult the oracle only once a year, but this restriction was later changed to once a month.

Influence of the Oracle.
The ancient Greeks had complete faith in the oracle's words, even though the meaning of the message was often unclear. As the oracle's fame spread, people came from all over the Mediterranean region seeking advice. Numerous well-known figures of history and mythology visited Delphi, including Socrates and Oedipus.

Visitors would ask not only about private matters but also about affairs of state. As a result, the oracle at Delphi had great influence on political, economic, and religious events. Moreover, Delphi itself became rich from the gifts sent by many believers.

PhotoSynth - MVStyle

We had the good fortune recently to be photographed by world-class photographer and gorgeous gentleman, Michael Vincent.
For more on MV










Photo sess pix

Ink: Own Your Essence

MY BUSINESS

MY
BUSINESS

A Story by Michael Mesmer© 2006
Cover photograph © Austin McManus www.theflopbox.com



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Mesmer wrote three full-length dramas for the stage in the 1970’s
and 80’s, and half of a fourth one that might become a story some day. He’s also
written or co-written a couple of dozen blues, techno, ambient and folk-rock songs, as
a producer, guitarist, bassist and percussion instigator, alone and with friends.
Michael has been reading detective and crime fiction since he was a teen,
when he first worked his way through “Crime and Punishment”, then devoured Arthur
Conan Doyle and Edgar Allen Poe. He escapes into the work of classic writers such as
Jim Thompson and Elmore Leonard and the hard-edged noir of James Ellroy and
Andrew Vachss, as well as the exotic alternate-reality mysteries of Jon Courtenay
Grimwood. Yet he finds equal pleasure in the criminal zaniness of Donald Westlake
and Carl Hiassen.
“My Business” is Michael’s first crime story. Write to him at:
Michael Mesmer, P.O. Box 2711, San Rafael, CA 94912-2711
mjmesmer@comcast.net




MY
BUSINESS
For Laurie,
forever


The Beginning Of My Day
You should know, I move slowly. I adjust my posture carefully. I have no
reason to rush, no reason to hurry towards anything. I get where I'm going at a
leisurely pace. Trust me, I am motivated to move, I recognize the dangers of
indolence. But I operate procedures at my own speed. I always have time to take care
of my business.
There’s a lot you don’t know about me.
I like to have a cigarette in bed first thing, light one up, suck it in, wake up
slow. I don't think about anything at all. My mind is empty. I just lie here, smoking. I
don't think about what's going to happen later in my day or something that
transpired during the previous twenty-four. I’m alert from the moment I’m awake. I
look up at the cracked ceiling, try to find something different, something new. Does
the stain look darker? Is that bug green or black?
At the beginning of my day, something’s usually happening in the building or
on the street outside. This room is in the back, but the window there opens on the
airshaft. I like to leave it up an inch or two, listen to the sounds of the city muffled by


the walls and the distance. I grew up in this building. Everything about it is familiar,
predictable. Safe. I know the sound of Jimi the UPS guy's truck and the rattle of its
tailgate going up as he says hi to Mrs. Simmons who's out walking her little rat dog. I
recognize the noise in the pipes when Mr. Gleason in 2F flushes the ancient toilet my
father refuses so far to replace for him. At that time of day, there's this background
buzz. Cars and trucks, buses, subways, taxis, kids on bicycles, a dozen kinds of music.
I know some people couldn’t sleep here during the day, they would find it too noisy.
To me, it's reassuring. It sounds like home.
Some days I wake up and right off I can hear someone breathing heavy over
on the couch, a friend or a relative sleeping off the night before. Or they’re quietly
shuffling around the room getting their gear together before they sneak out, trying
not to wake me up. It doesn't bother me. I never let anyone stay over I don't feel
completely safe around. Very rarely there's a woman here. When I get together with a
woman, I usually go to her place. She feels more comfortable in her own
environment. Most people coming here come for business, at night. That's why I sleep
until the afternoon. At night, I operate my business.


Some of the people who visit me in my room don't like the smell. I can tell,
even though they don’t say anything about it. I have a Calico cat and a Siamese
kitten. They use the litter box in the winter because it's cold and wet outside, in the
summer because we live in a city of concrete. I don't clean the litter that much. I like
waking up to that cat piss stench, fecund and funky. It reminds me of the jungle. Their
turds don’t smell, not like a dog’s. There’s this guy I know whose girlfriend has a
150-pound German police dog. Man, that dog’s shit stinks. With cats, it’s the piss
clumps that reek after a few days. Sometimes my eyes water from the ammonia smell.
Smell that? Smoking a cigarette clears out the room pretty well. I tried incense but it
gives me a headache.
It takes me a couple of minutes to smoke a cigarette down to the filter. I like
Camels but it's not a rule or anything. Then I begin to focus on getting out of bed,
swing my legs over the side and sit up. Occasionally, I crawl out. Sometimes my day
begins, I’m untangling the sheets while I feel around for my gun. Once I found myself
tucked down, lying on the box spring in the small space created by moving the
mattress away from the wall. Blinders, the Calico, likes to sleep against my face now
and then, and I’ll wake up in the middle of a dream in the tunnels, suffocating. Or my


little Slice, she operates unscheduled procedures on my feet. Any of these variations
can result in a change to the usual sequence of posture adjustments.
Eventually, one way or another, I sit up at the edge of the bed. This is one of
my favorite situations, especially when I first get up. It feels good, head hanging
down, arms on my thighs, hands on my knees, bare feet on the tile floor. I can stay
this way for fifteen minutes sometimes. In the winter my feet get cold, but still I don’t
usually change my posture until it’s time to use the toilet. I might scratch a little at
the scabs from the needle on my arms. Examine the veins running under the skin on
the back of my hands, twitching with my heartbeat.
I’m not sleepy, I’m just resting, taking in what’s around me in a relaxed
manner. People seem so hurried all the time. They try to do too much in the time
they’ve allotted. Simple solution: do less, or spend more time doing it. I can never
understand people rushing off to work in the morning. It’s nothing that can’t wait.
Everything can wait. Living, dying. Everything.
I might smoke another cigarette while I’m sitting here. This blue comforter
my mother made as a girl in Germany before the World War. She met my dad after it
was over and came here to America, to the big city, to live as the wife of a building


superintendent, have his son, raise him up, have a daughter who dies a day later and
then die herself from hemorrhaging that won’t quit. I enlisted the day after that.
Seventeen, but they didn’t care. They were taking everyone who wanted to go and
drafting the rest. I like the comforter but I don’t think about my mom much. Why
should I? There’s been as much of my life without her as came before. I get along with
my dad, but I can tell he misses her.
Too bad, huh? I don’t worry about it. I have my business to keep me focused
on the present.
When I feel the urge in my groin, I stand up and head over to the bathroom.
Once I’m in there, I get a lot done. Every day’s a mission, so I prepare for it. Shit,
shower, and shave, leave a full moustache on my upper lip. I check out my skin in the
mirror but I rarely have pimples or blemishes that are noticeable. I put a little
aftershave on, trim my ear hair and nose hair. I brush my teeth, use a toothpick on
my gums, and rinse my mouth out with mouthwash. I use a cotton swab to clean my
ears. I brush my hair vigorously and then carefully comb it to create a straight part
running front to back from over my left eye. Sometimes I use electric clippers to trim


my hair. For a full haircut, I go to a barber I know on 112th street who served in the
101st Airborne. Last, I put some talc in my armpits and on my face.
I think about my business while I’m getting all this done. I think about who
I’m going to meet with and what they’re going to want from me. I think about what
I’m going to get from them for giving them what they want. I measure out my
resources in my mind and consider the potential costs to me and those I care about. I
begin formulating the mission plan for the day, nothing too tightly organized. I
include an element of improvisation in every mission plan. One of my drill sergeant’s
mottos was, “ImPROV is the only way to imPROVE after preparations are comPLETE.”
I’ve forgotten his name, but I remember that voice.
When I’m done in the bathroom, I attend to my weapons. Field strip my M1,
clean it, and reassemble it. Put it back in its place behind the big armchair in the
corner, by that tall lamp Jayne gave me when we lived together. I still socialize with
Jayne more than any other person, but I can’t say we’re exclusive. She goes to acting
school at H.B. in the Village. She keeps busy. I go about my business. I sharpen and
oil my K-Bar and put it back under the mattress. Then I clean my Smith & Wesson
9mm, modified for full auto. The regular clip holds ten rounds, the backup fifteen


more. I use hollow-points to compensate for the smaller caliber, but I like the 9mm.
Easy to control in a tight situation. My nine comes with me everywhere. Next, I clean
the Remington pump. That goes over the door inside the bathroom, up behind the
ceiling tiles. I keep the shotgun shells in a waterproof case down inside the toilet
tank. Those blue toilet tablets hide the case pretty well. I leave a few shells lying
around on the top of my dresser for cleaner access. They’re also a reminder to my
visitors that I have multiple levels of response available to any set of provocations
presented by them. Including some procedures I won’t get into right now.
To be honest, I don’t clean every weapon on a daily basis. More often than
the cat litter, less than an injection or a cigarette. But I clean my nine every day.
There are people trying to get their hands into my business. If they’re not actively
trying, they’re thinking about it. I don’t even have to discuss it, it’s just the truth.
Some people cannot be trusted. You smile in my face and then try to cut my throat.
You bring me a gift and then attempt to steal from behind my back. Usually, I’m
prepared if you come at me.



Breakfast
After the guns, it’s time for breakfast. I enjoy food, when I’m not nodding
off. I can’t say I eat more or less than anyone else. I don’t pay attention to what
others are eating. I focus on my own food and the procedures for getting it into my
mouth from the plate or bowl in front of me. I always eat the amount of food I need
for the mission I’m on. If someone wants to share my food, I share and then order
some more so I don’t feel deprived in any way. Some missions require an empty
stomach, in which cases I don’t eat. Water is essential so I drink that every day,
maybe more than most people who haven’t spent time in a tropical jungle. I have a
good sense of how much water I need, I don’t piss or sweat much. My body uses all
the water I drink.
I go out for breakfast, usually to this juice bar on Broadway, the one near
105th. I think it’s important to consume something nutritious as early as possible in
my day. Junk food, drugs, business, all that should happen later when I’ve got some
momentum. A smoothie helps get me going. I got into them in Berkeley, California
one summer when I R&R’ed there for a month between missions in ’66 or ’67. Orange


Julius. I never did find out if the store owner was named that or if there was another
reason. It was a new experience for me. I operated daily procedures on those
smoothies.
I hope this is interesting for you. We may not have an opportunity to be
together again.
You know, my breakfast time is just about your tea-time. Are you into tea,
Mr. Down-Under? I could never develop a taste for it, even though this woman I dated
in Berkeley, Carissa, she tried to get me into tea. Peppermint tea, chamomile tea, I
need something heartier. Now I drink a smoothie for breakfast whenever I can. I’m
not into the vegetable option, fruit’s what I like. I remember sitting in the jungle one
night on a recon mission, full camo, invisible. We were situated on this hill that must
have had a hundred lime and lemon trees in bloom, remains of a plantation the
French planted back in the 50’s. Every other sense was almost overwhelmed by the
smell. To this day if I meet a woman wearing citrus anything, perfume, a printed
orange on her T-shirt, doesn’t matter. I will get fully focused on her for as long as
she’ll permit me to accompany her to wherever she wants to go. I don’t like citrus in
my smoothies, though.


So I’ll stroll down Broadway and operate my smoothie procedure, then over
to Riverside and down into the park. I find a bench and spend some time drinking,
thinking about my business. Not in the dead of winter, but almost any other time of
year. I enjoy sitting in the park, looking out over the river towards Jersey. I like the
late-day light. Not the sunsets, by then I’m about my business. But the afternoon sun
coming in from the west, shadows leaning back at me, it all fits together. When I find
something I like, I stick with it. Why change a thing? I had one today, a smoothie in
Riverside Park. Better than the food you eat in Australia. My last week in Vietnam, I
almost killed a “leftenant” in a mess hall for handing me a bite of his Vegemite
sandwich.
You’re pretending to be cool with this situation. I can understand. But I can
also see you’re having second thoughts about where you’re at and who you’re with.
Now, your Aussie mates in the jungle with us, they were some of the most
intense fighters I ever met. I admire that in a man, intensity. I admire the
commitment that intensity requires. I go all the way, too, I just do it quietly. I go
about my business and complete the mission successfully. I have a photograph of me
being pinned a Silver Star on by General Westmoreland. You would know it was me, I


look the same, hair trimmed, mustache. I didn’t get into the Hippie thing over there.
Peace sign on the helmet, long hair. I did acquire an interest in injections. But I didn’t
spend time in action with anything else on than a mild headache from the heat. I can’t
complete the mission if I’m high, I don’t even try. I started my injections when I got
out of the jungle and into a supply truck based outside Saigon. I got bored by the
relative level of safety. The slowness I could relate to, though. When I’m on a mission,
I move slowly, carefully, quietly. I don’t want to get noticed, just come in and look
around. Maybe hurt you a little but not so you know what’s going on before I am out
of there and somewhere else. It’s nighttime when I work. Daytime is for sitting on a
bench, drinking a smoothie after I wake up.

Going About My Business
When I finish my breakfast, I jog up the park, sometimes to 125th and back
again. Not too far, just something else to get me ready for operations. Every so often
I pass someone I know from business or from socializing. I just nod and go on my
way. This is a time for getting ready for business, not conducting it. Business should


occur at times and places of our choosing. Like tonight, you and me and your friend
who we both hope is on his way here at this moment. I’m guessing you would have
done things differently if you could, at least, now that you have some knowledge of
how the evening’s going. Looking back, you probably wouldn’t have come here
tonight to meet Pico, would you?
By the time I’m done with my roadwork, I’m ready for business. First, I stop
in to see friends. At this point in my day I don’t have any merchandise on me. That
would be foolish. Take the order, find out what’s wanted, then decide how I’m going
to fulfill the need. Between the time someone says, “Get me” and I get around to
getting it, lots of things can change about the situation. Sometimes I have to adjust
my posture to a more aggressive one. Other times, the usual procedure is all that’s
needed.
Friends are important to my business besides the money they bring in. I like
to socialize so I can have a full life. Friends expose me to different activities outside
my regular routine. For instance, this woman Jayne I see from time to time, she’s into
acting and music and film. She takes me to concerts and plays I would never go to on
my own. Because of my injections, I’m usually nodding off during the performance.


But it gets me out. I go to Carnegie Hall, Bleecker Street Cinema. Most people
wouldn’t think that I go out. I’ll bet before tonight, you hadn’t heard any of what I’ve
been telling you. Maybe you never thought you should know anything about me. But
if you had, you might not have found yourself tied to that chair you’re in.
Friends help me expand my horizons and learn about others. I’m interested
in other people, that’s why I made such a good Lurp. Long Range Reconnaissance
Patrol. L. R. R. P. I wanted to know what was going on, not just with the NVA or VC.
Everyone. If I saw an old woman out among the fields, carrying a basket on her back,
I would think, what’s her story? Kids? Family? I want to get to know people, so I
learned how to go out among them, find out what’s happening. I did that growing up
here. A lot of people moved out when the Hispanics and the Asians started moving in.
Not my dad or mom, not me. We figured out a way to make things work for us. I
learned Spanish, befriended the gangs. I got in a fight now and then, but my dad
taught me how to defend myself. He knew stuff from the war so he let me in on the
secret. You know what it is? Get close. A lot can happen when I’m in close, within
your reach. Most people think they’re better off keeping away from their opponent.


That’s a punk’s way. Get in there, nose to nose, see what’s happening in your eyes.
Tells me everything I need to know.
Sorry I can’t offer you a cigarette. I’m going to be firm about keeping that
gag on you tonight. In other situations I might bend the rules a little bit. But the way
you two have behaved towards me, everything about tonight’s mission needs to be
tightened down. Personnel, planning, equipment, execution. Everything.
Sometimes I stop off to see my friend Mark. He has the big dog I was talking
about, Max is his name. We walk him down the hill from Mark’s girlfriend’s
apartment to the park, let him off the leash. It scares some people to see Max off the
leash. A hundred fifty pounds. He’s a good dog, comes when Mark calls. Mark and his
girlfriend, they’re both actors, rent this nice place on 113th. I met them through Jayne
at a party. Mark works at a theater company in New Jersey. He’s interested in my
stories about the war. One morning last month I’m asleep, this detective from Vice I
know comes calling. Gives me half a pound of merchandise he liberated at a crime
scene. Take the package, go back to sleep. Next day, I call Mark, “Skip work today.”
We split the half pound in half again. Our half lasts a month, the captain gets a good
financial return on his. Why change a thing?


Mark doesn’t know the extent of my business. He knows about the teenagers
selling for me. He knows I can get merchandise when he or his girlfriend wants it. He
knows I nod off a lot at parties. I have some straight friends. I don’t have any friends
in business, though, just associates, customers and competitors. Which are you?

Risk Management
Don’t get me wrong, mate, I know there are certain risks in conducting my
business. I know other businessmen want to operate their own procedures in place of
mine. They seek money and influence. They believe it can be taken from me or anyone
who has it. They don’t know about my time in the jungle, they don’t know how I’m
prepared to respond or what I’ll give up. They think they know enough about me. I
understand how they could make that mistake. I try to mislead others so they think
I’m vulnerable. Sometimes it works.
I operate my business here in this room in my father’s building. My father
has no idea, he’s asleep by eight or nine p.m. and gets up at five when I’m closing


down. The watchman Gianni gets a twenty each night. I like to have several associates
present when I meet with others. Four nights, it’s Juan and his cousin Ramon, the one
from L.A. On Saturday night they have another job, so I use Pico and his father
Hector. They’re bigger, able to cope with most of the problems that arise. The kids
selling for me aren’t much trouble. They just want to make some money and get their
girlfriends stoned. They sell small amounts along Amsterdam to their cousins and
friends, maybe a random tourist outside Saint John the Divine. Students at Columbia
and my other direct customers come to the room.
I don’t work Sunday and Monday much, I’m usually nodding somewhere
after an injection. But I operate the same procedures every night I’m open. After
friends, I have dinner in the neighborhood, like the Greek place on 104th. Then I do a
little grocery shopping, or I go out with Jayne and some of her friends. Around 10 or
11, I meet Juan, get set for business. Ramon is always late. I don’t mind, he shows up
eventually. Pico and Hector -- clockwork. In five years, they have not missed or been
late once. They meet me at the room. Juan, I have with me. Ramon comes late, every
time.


Three weeks ago, Tuesday night, Ramon is on time. Juan and I get to the
building, Ramon is waiting outside. That’s all it takes, one change. If we’re awake,
we notice, we think, “That’s different.” We understand, in our gut. We adjust our
posture when something changes. I do not adjust my posture. I march inside the
building and let Juan and Ramon follow. I think, “I’ll take care of this inside. I’m not
going to conduct my business on the street.” I enter using my regular, Juan-and-I-are-
opening-the-room posture. I do not adjust to the presence of Ramon. The usual
procedure, Ramon comes in late. I’m sitting here at the table, counting money or
weighing merchandise when Ramon rings the buzzer. Juan checks the door. I give
Juan the go-ahead, he lets Ramon into the room. No one enters the room unless Juan
inspects and I approve. On Saturdays, Pico checks the door while Hector waits with
me.
This particular night, Ramon follows Juan into the room after me. I turn on
the overhead light with the switch inside the door. I cross the room to my chair, flick
on the lamp. Then I turn to talk to Ramon. I don’t really feel the bullet. It slams me
backwards over the chair. Forty-five? Loud, but these walls are thick. I’m unconscious
for a while. I wake up thinking, “Why am I in the corner?” I hear people moving in


the room, I keep still. Ramon says, “In here”, and I hear them lifting the bed and the
box spring and the false floor underneath. One of them says “Choice.” I understand,
it’s business. It’s about $10,000 in cash and a few handguns and a kilo or two of
merchandise.
These people with Ramon are not professionals. They shoot me, I’m behind
the chair. I’m still alive, why not finish me off? Maybe he thinks he’s a marksman,
the one who shot me. He’s good at the gun range, hits the bull’s-eye a lot. Maybe he
sees me go down and plans on getting back to me. Or he thinks he might need me
alive, save me for later. But the buzzer goes off. Ramon goes to the door, says to
someone, “He’s on the toilet”. The way he talks, he has to repeat it. The caller must
go away. A moment later, Ramon and the others leave. They close the front door but
they don’t have the key so they leave the dead-bolt open. The door doesn’t latch
completely.
I drift off. Then I hear a voice I recognize but don’t know why saying,
“Mierda!” over and over again in a tense voice, but quiet, almost a whisper. I move
just a little. Footsteps come towards me. I’m ready to die, believe me, I should be
dead already. I’m driving this truck in Saigon. One day I get out, there are three large


bullet holes, two and one, in the driver’s door, made from the inside. Understand? I
look across to the passenger door, three matching holes. The rounds came through the
cab, right across my legs, under my arms, in front of my body. Not a scratch on me.
Happened a dozen times at least, these near-misses. And that was driving supply
trucks.
This time, I’m hit pretty good. Pico, that’s who it is, sees beaucoup blood. He
can’t figure out at first where I’m shot. Shoulder, it turns out, high up, above my
heart. Even better, above my lung, no sucking chest wound. But my clavicle is history,
the scapula shattered. There’s a hole the size of the Midtown Tunnel in my back from
which bodily fluid spills onto the tiles. Pico moves the chair out of the way and helps
me stretch out on the floor. Kneels beside me, puts a pillow under my head.
I am wide awake. Pico says, “Juan es muerto, Pedro. Knife in the back.”
I look right in his eyes. “See anyone?”
He says, “Just Ramon and a couple of customers, I thought they were. I
screwed up, man. I let them go.”
“It’s okay, Pico. Get me a towel.”
Pico rushes off, comes back. Rolls me over to put the towel under me.


“9-1-1?” he asks.
“No, Pico, no, call my dad.”
He looks at me for a moment. He knows my dad has been kept out of it. But
the way I figure, it’s his building. Before this, there were no problems in here, he
could sleep soundly. Now it’s at his doorstep, I think he should know.
“Tell him to get Doctor Shachter in 6-B.”
After Pico leaves, I reach around under me and find my nine. A little late, but
who knows who’s coming back to finish what they started? Pico knows to shut the
door on his way out and the buzzer rings a few times while he’s gone. I don’t get up.
It takes a while to raise my dad, I guess, then some more to get Doc Shachter out of
bed. While I’m lying there, bleeding but not so fast now, I turn my head to the side
and see Juan lying on the floor across the room, near the bathroom door. He is very
dead. Sixteen years old. His mother lives two blocks away. Three younger kids, no
dad. I’ll take care of it, Pico will make a donation for me. The reason is, I realize just
then, I won’t be here to do it myself.


The Cost Of Doing Business
I lie there, adjusting to it, holding down the bile that tries to rise up inside
me. I’m going to have to leave. No living here with my dad anymore, where I grew
up. No smoothies on a bench. No Jayne, no off-off-Broadway plays. All this is finished
for me. I find the guys who ripped me off, settle up. Then I go away for a long time.
Not prison, if I handle it right, but away, definitely. I don’t talk to my dad ever again.
I can’t put him in that position. If the Man figures it out, there’s a tap on my dad’s
phone, or they’re stopping by now and then, hassling him. Better he doesn’t know
where I am, maybe even thinks I’m dead. I think about that, dying or pretending to.
It’s the same thing, isn’t it? Either way this life is over for me.
I tell some of this to my friend Mark the other day. I’m sitting with him on
some steps in the park, watching Max terrorize the joggers. I ask him how things are
going with his girlfriend. He’s not sure, she has a girlfriend of her own. When the
three of them have sex, he can touch his girlfriend but her friend won’t let him come
near. So it’s Mark in the back, doing his girlfriend while she’s doing hers. Everyone


seems to be having a good time with it except Mark. He’s pretty insecure, living a
sheltered life.
Finally I say I’m going away and he won’t see me anymore. He laughs at
first. “What do you mean, anymore?”
I look at him, nod. “Never.”
“Something I said?” Trying to get his mind around it.
“No, nothing to do with you. But that’s the way it’s got to be. As far as
you’re concerned, I’m dead. No funeral.”
He wants to understand. I relate a little about how you and your friend paid
me a visit. I tell him, “Let’s just say, a man has to adopt an aggressive posture in
response to certain provocations if he wants to operate his business. You’ll get it,
after I’m gone. Watch the papers, see what they say in the next week or two. Two
guys, Cuban, Australian, maybe in the river.”
Hey! I should have told you, struggling just pulls that wire around your neck
tighter and tighter. That’s it, quiet down. Shh. I think it might help to remember, you
still have a choice. If your friend doesn’t show up, I can find him on my own. But you
could assist. That’s up to you.


Maybe it’s the shock from the blood loss or the realization that my life is
ending, at least this part of it. The next thing I see, Doc Shachter is standing beside
me. I’m on the bed, bandaged and feeling the drugs he gave me. I know my dad is in
the room because I hear him say, “Thank you, David,” as he walks the Doc to the
door. Pico comes over and gives me a poke on my good shoulder. “You got nine lives,
Pedro.” He calls me Pedro, sometimes “El Roca” when we’re high. Pico and I get it on
sometimes, just for fun. I think everyone is basically bi-sexual. Of course, we don’t
tell Hector that. He’s too old-fashioned, thinks fags are not men.
I learned in the jungle what a man is. Sometimes his head is on a stick in a
village square next to a few of his squad members. Or a man is the guy who’s got the
barrel of his handgun against the village leader’s temple, asking, “Where are the
men who did this to our friends?” I shot six people that morning, two women, before
the seventh person in line, this old papa-san, starts rattling off, in Montagnard,
directions to the men who did this to our friends. When we finished with them, I was
done with the jungle. I took that transfer to Saigon.
There’s the buzzer now. Think this could be your amigo at the door? You
thought I couldn’t get to you. It was easy, Ramon is such a loud-mouth. By the time


we found him, he told half the neighborhood he was so tough, how he used you guys.
That’s funny, huh? He was the one being used, you and your friend from Havana let
him live afterwards. You thought I was dead, who cares if Ramon talks? “Good for
our reputation, taking over from Pete. People should know we took Pete down.” I can
see how that would make sense.
Sit quiet now. Pico, is that him?
Okay. Let him in.


THE END