Teaching Art

One time I decided to take a life drawing class at the local art league. The class was filled with about ten or twelve people with most of them being interesting. The teacher was a woman who painted ultra realistically. Her paintings were nice, but her teaching style was atrocious. I had asked her a question about something or other and her response to me was, I can't help you, I don't paint the way you do. I thought that was the lamest stupidest answer I've ever heard and I almost left the class right then and there, but I paid for use of the models so I was going to use them regardless of how useless the teacher is.

It just annoyed me that a teacher would say something that ignorant. It made me remember that not all teachers are good. In fact, most are not really that good and it's so annoying. A good teacher can elevate a student to their potential, this lady was just killing time on a Tuesday night.

Watching Programs

On Netflix, you can watch certain TV programs that you might see on Discovery Channel or PBS. I've tried to watch a view, but they remind me of why I don't like watching television.

This one program I tried to watch was about the Middle Ages. It sounded like it could have shown some interesting information. Unfortunately it was produced in that same old boring way all TV shows are produced. With an emphasis on theatrics and violence, the show plodded along without giving the viewer any useful information.

I should have known better, because the intro to the show was done with lightning fast edits between clips of dungeon torture scenes, muddy war battles and some so called 'expert' droning on about how horrible the times were. All these types of shows are the same. There's a system that works for shows about Vietnam, Ancient Egypt, or the Middle Ages. Show some dumb reenactment, show some 'expert', back to the dumb reenactment with a voice over, pan over some photos, roll credits.

That Ken Burns guy does an alright job with documentaries like Jazz and the Civil War, but overall this format for presentating information is pretty boring. So needless to say I wasted about ten minutes of my life watching this horrible show before I realized it wasn't going to get any better.

Letter from Nabisco.....

My Inquiry.....
I was wondering when you're going to stop putting in High Fructose Corn Syrup and Partially Hydrogenated Oil into your Premium Crackers.?

Their Response....
Thank you for visiting http://www.nabiscoworld.com and for your inquiry on our PREMIUM Cracker.
There are many types of fats and oils used in food products. Hydrogenated oils give foods the texture people expect and help foods stay fresh longer than alternative ingredients. Developing alternative ingredients with the same taste, texture and freshness characteristics but with better nutrition has been a challenge throughout the food industry. We do follow government rules for all ingredients used in our products; however, I will pass your concerns on to our Product Development.
Unfortunately, information on when these ingredients were introduced to the product is unavailable.
If you haven’t done so already, please add our site to your favorites and visit us again soon!
K. McMiller
Associate Director, Consumer Relation

---------------

Thanks for nothing Nabisco, and No. I won't be adding your site to my favorites.

Walking Home

I remember one afternoon walking home from high school. I think I had after school detention and then skipped football practice so I was left to my own devices. On my way home, my seventh grade reading teacher was driving by. (Mrs. R. for those in the know. She was also the lady who asked one of the students to leave the class room so she could tell the rest of the students to stop picking on this particular kid).

She recognizes me and asks if I need a ride home. I say no thanks, but she prods a little and I agree. I start directing her where I live, right on Ivory, right on Triadelphia, etc. The whole time she keeps asking me, are we close? are we there yet? I tell her that she can drop me off wherever she wants to. I'm fine walking.

But we finally arrive at my driveway and she drops me off and zooms away to wherever it was she had to go. It made me realize two things. One, if you're going to offer your help to someone, offer it kindly and don't complain about it. And two, most people don't walk anywhere for any length of time.

John McEwan Quote

The great thing about art is that no one can define it, even if we all know vaguely what it means.

roots

The other day I watched that movie called, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Looking back on it, I realize that was probably my first introduction to the Indian culture. That movie laid a seed, that turned into a thought that turned into action. All because of Doctor Jones and what's his face.... um shortbus, or shortcake, short round! That's it, Shortround.

Regardless, it's interesting to think of what seeds we are laying for ourselves now. All that we do and see are possible stepping stones for some greater venture.

Cool Painting of the Day

John Frederick Peto took an old drawer full of books and turned it into a beautiful painting. Well done, old chap.