Reality Checks

When I was in Hawaii I attended a Lucid Dreaming Workshop. One of the techniques we learned to aid in lucidity is to do reality checks throughout the day - that is, whenever things seem a little odd to stop and check to make sure it isn't a dream.

The other day, for example, I went to the gas station and while I was filling the tank I noticed a very tall man who seemed to be wearing no pants, or if he was wearing pants they were shorter than his shirt, so it had the effect of wearing no pants. He was waiting at the bus stop up until it was time for me to pull back into traffic, at which point he stepped right into the oncoming traffic motioning for the cars to stop. Horns blared, cars swerved, people shouted, nobody stopped, but luckily the man was not hit. Then unfazed, still standing in the middle of the traffic lane he turned and looked at me. I shook my head at him and pointed at him and then at the sidewalk to indicate that he should get out of the road. This he did and went to the corner waiting for the light to change before crossing the street, apparently forgetting about the bus. Maybe he realized he needed pants, or longer pants.

This was followed by a couple of days of things in general not functioning. The power went out for a few hours, an application on the computer stopped working and while looking for the software the lighbulb on a halogen light blew out. Hmmm, my dreams are so normal in comparison.

Unpack or Not?

I got back from my trip to Hawaii early on yesterday morning. By early I mean just after 5am. I didn't hear very much news while I was away. I heard a little about the stock market meltdown and a little about the debate, but while I was waiting for my flight home at the Honolulu airport I checked my messages and there were a couple that were alarming - something about a fire in the vicinity. I managed to reach someone on the phone (before my battery died) to learn that the fire was considered under control. However as the car approached the junction of the 118 and 210 freeways on the way home I saw a hillside in flames and then the car was driving through thick smoke. Apparently high winds had rekindled the blaze. Flames climbing the crest of a mountain on the horizon were visible from my house. I took pictures of the fire from my front door - which didn't come out due to darkness - and then, why not, I went ahead and hosed down the house and trees for good measure.

The fire was 5 or so miles away with the wind blowing the smoke and flames in the other direction. I did eventually unpack my suitcase. I thought that if things took a turn for the worse I should have clean laundry to take with me during the evacuation. I'm feeling lucky that it didn't come to that.

New Work, Small Works

I brought these two new paintings to TAG Gallery to be part of the upcoming "Small Works" Group Show. This exhibition will be in the East Gallery and running concurrently with a two person show in the West Gallery. Each of the paintings below is 12 x 12", oil on linen.


One of the artists in the two person show is friend Carole Garland. I'm really looking froward to seeing her latest pieces.

Overtaken By Dusk

Unraveling the Day

Small Works

"Small Works" Group Show

October 1st - October 25th, 2008

Artist's Reception: Saturday, October 4th 5-8pm

TAG Gallery

2903 Santa Monica Blvd. , Santa Monica, CA 90404

310-829-9556

Relax at Massage Envy

This week I delivered these two watercolors for hanging at Massage Envy, in Rolling Hills Estates. "Whispering Sticks" and "Silent Waiting" will be on display in the Quiet Room, which is where one waits for a massage after checking in. Appropriate titles, don't you think?

Whispering Sticks

Silent Waiting

And, just in case you should happen to fall in love with them - they are for sale!

Snake Visits Again

I was heading out the front gate just as my new friend was heading toward the same gate. This time I ran back in to get my camera. The snake waited obligingly in place until I could get back outside and allowed me to take these pictures. I shot a few motion pictures as well, but until I figure out how to edit them I won't be posting those.

I hope my snake friend can help out by reducing the critter population around here. This week I was surprised on two occasions by a rat falling off the bird feeder - he was startled by my stepping out the door and lost his grip. The third time he managed to hang on as I came out and then disappeared up on the roof. Every single young vegetable plant and seedling has been chewed down to the root, perhaps by possums, but I'm not sure. This only happens while I'm sleeping. Cole, my cat, has stepped up to the plate to catch one or two a day. He brings them inside to show me. Unfortunately usually at 4:00 in the morning.

Snake

I opened the front door to find a California King Snake, a beautiful, big one - about 3 feet long. The snake's appearance got the dog barking, causing the snake to slither away, rather gracefully down the steps and into the wood pile. I'm happy about having him on the property (now that I've Googled to make sure it's not harmful). Apparently they make wonderful pets, and they eat rodents. Maybe I should have invited him in.