I finally completed another acrylic painting! This one is my first attempt at the "Filadora technique", where you start building the painting with rough blocks of colour and refine the shapes, rather than do a preliminary drawing -- kinda like sculpting with paint, in some ways, I guess. It was interesting. [acrylic on canvas, 10" x 10"] 

New socks!

A while back, I lost a heel out of a sock. [Because I am an Old Man®, I routinely wear Identical Black Socks® so I never have to make a decision on them.] Most of my other socks have dangerously thin toes, and chances are some other heels are on their last gasp. I've had this batch of socks for well over a decade, so it should be no great surprise that they are wearing thin.

Anyway, I decided it was time to get a new batch, and I did. [From Costco, as per usual. Alas, they didn't have the exact brand and model I got way back when, but I made do.] That was a few days ago, and every time I put a pair of the new ones on, I marvel at how thick and skootchy and comfy they are! I even notice this anew at random moments during the day! I hadn't realized how thin the old ones had gotten, I just got used to them. But now I feel like my feet are being pampered all the time! This is one time I refuse to let myself feel any guilt over spoiling myself.

being supplied!

This morning I used up TWO different get-ready items and the cupboard contained new packages of both, so I didn't run out. I love not running out.

I've always said that I want to know the truth. And also said that reason is the greatest tool we have for knowing it. 

Today, it suddenly occurred to me that any knowledge we have, contains an element of faith or belief. If nothing else, we believe that our minds and our powers of reason are functioning correctly at this time.

A family member is currently experiencing dementia, and will answer the simplest questions incorrectly, and yet he knows. In some cases, he gets angry if you try to correct or disagree with him, because he knows. 

How can I be sure that my knowledge is any different? Ultimately I have to believe in my own powers of reason.

And also today, I found myself thinking [as I often do] about The Library of Babel. Somewhere in that library, there is a book that describes The Meaning Of Life in a way that will convince you, whatever that might take. There are millions of other books, some slightly different, others completely contradictory, all written in a way that will convince you. They can't all be true. But they will all seem like the truth when you read them. So, if we are presented with the truth, how can we know that's what it is? 

Things like this, I have to make a conscious effort to stop thinking about, in order to get on with my day....

the songs of robins in the back yard

my birthday!

For decades, I have usually treated my birthday as just another day, nothing worth making a fuss or big deal about. But, a couple of weeks back, I realized that I was genuinely looking forward to it this year.

And I don't know why. It's not like it's a landmark number, or like I have any unusual plans, or whatnot. I guess I'm just happy to be here.

I spent a while today whipping up quick loose doodles of one of my characters for my WIP, and ended up with one that was so "sloppy" that I got the shape of the head all wrong….

regaining my love for free jazz

Every now and then, I spend a year (or two) (or three) immersed in a new musical obsession... and in the early eighties, I spent about three years where the vast majority of what I listened to was free jazz. [The Art Ensemble of Chicago and OM were particular faves.] Eventually I burned out on it some, and decided to wait til I was in the mood to hear it. And that mood rarely came. [I gather I'm not alone in finding that music demanding to listen to, it requires actual energy and focus.] Many years went by where I said "pass" every time the opportunity arose.

But recently I was browsing thru old albums, came across some free, and unexpectedly decided I could muster the gumption to tackle it. And it paid off. I was exhilarated and satisfied in the way unique to those sounds. Since then I've been going back there much more often, but no longer to the exclusion of all else. Pacing myself better seems to allow me to enjoy it more now, in my dotage. I've also discovered that new bands have been working in this area all along, and there are lots of new things for me to discover....

Today I finished drafting the script for my graphic novel. Now to draw it! Now to figure out how to draw it!

This is such an odd project for me, and such an odd place for my head to be in during a project. I can imagine all sorts of problems and complaints readers will have with what I'm doing and how I'm doing it, but none of them dissuade me. I feel like I've never before made a comic that is so much for me, and if other people don't like it, that doesn't mean I'm wrong. It's weird not needing to worry about audience reaction....