shredly to the max!

Almost four years have passed since I helped fund this project on kickstarter. Ashley Rankin had a great idea for women's sports clothing, combining fashion sense with utter comfort and support. I believed in her, as did 127 other supporters.
At the time, her line was restricted to biking and hiking shorts, as seen above. A colorful bunch, for sure! All were made from thin chamois for total comfort. The bonus was the non-chafing design.
She also had jersey shirts in several designs, all flattering. Those were all in black, but with piping and pleating to emphasize femininity.
Fast forward to today.
In my email was an announcement from the folks at SHREDly about their latest products. Not only are the jerseys offered in several colors, but she has such a variety of bottoms that she offers this handy shorts guide!
Of course she still has the original mountain bike shorts, but that is now offered with a longer length, too. For those who don't want the thigh vents and the adjustable waist, the multi-sports shorts have you covered! Prefer to just lounge around in style and comfort? Choose the leggings instead!
There are even YOGACHAMS for underneath it all!
Black Friday blues?
Go see a movie instead!
Then shop Small Business Saturday and take 20% off at SHREDly. Just use the discount code SBS2015 and you'll be all set!
Maybe, one of these days, we'll have a store closer than Ocala, Florida. Until then, cyber it up, y'all!

Thanks, Ashley, for the kind words on the site!
Our intro into the market was through Kickstarter where we crowd sourced to raise a large portion of the capital necessary for our very first production run. It was a frickin’ rad experience and everyone that supported us can pat themselves on the back knowing that they helped get SHREDLY out there. Click here to view our funded project and see where we very first began! We still can't thank all of our supporters enough and remain eternally grateful for all that believed in and supported SHREDLY!

kiva: the gift that keeps giving

This young woman in Paraguay isn't one that my loans have helped, or are helping. But she sent this video to Kiva to remind the 1.3 million of us at KIVA that we are making a difference in lives around the world, twenty-five dollars at a time.
You heard me right.
Just $25 to be a hero to someone making a difference, not only in their lives, but in the lives of all around them.
You don't even have to join The Nerdfighters in our goal to "decrease world suck", but you would certainly be welcome in our group.
(smile)

I've been a member since July of 2012. Since that time, I have made $25 loans seven times. As a loan is repaid, I reinvest those recovered funds into someone else's dream of a better life.
Currently, I have three loans outstanding, in Ecuador, the Philippines, and Costa Rica.
Curious about the trustworthiness of the loan recipients?
Here are the latest reports.

Funded on Apr 16, 2014
Jesus De Nazaret Group
Ecuador | Perfumes
You Loaned: $25.00
Newly Repaid: $1.58
Total Repaid So Far: $23.26 (93.04% of your loan)
Repayment Status: Paying back on time

Funded on Jun 9, 2014
Elaine Marie
Philippines | Higher education costs
You Loaned: $25.00
Newly Repaid: $0.56
Total Repaid So Far: $2.72 (10.88% of your loan)
Repayment Status: Paying back on time

The Banco Mujer Los Girasoles Group, in Costa Rica, will begin repayments in February.
By that time, the folks in Ecuador will be paid up and I'll have $25 to fund another loan.
Marvelous!

flamingos to the rescue!

Who would have thought
a flock of pink plastic birds
could bring so much love?
Evidently,
the folks who organized
this Flamingo Fest!

Troy Wandzel believed in the mission.
Remember him from SeeSAW?
He designed this self-portrait for the event.

Jane Fishman, former columnist
for the local newspaper,
and local artisit Carmela Aliffi
created this bird.
Christened "Cotton Candy",
she's fashioned from found materials,
no doubt from Jane's garden.

Local birds were joined by
some from other flocks.
Karen Abato designed this bird,
then photographed it at a Buddhist shrine.
What great blessings!

Even tattoo artists
got involved with the birds!
Amanda Harrison,
with Good Fortune Tattoo,
lent her creative talents
to this fundraiser.

This other-worldly beauty
was photographed
in a marsh setting.
Created by Brian MacGregor,
the bird was a big hit
at the auction yesterday.

Fortunately, the birds had a layover
before their big flight to Muse Arts Warehouse.
Starlandia offered them safe harbor.
Clinton Edminster, the owner,
designed a circle of love with his one bird!
(The wreath is mine now!)

This one's red carpet fashion was created by the young son of illustrator Karen Bradley.
Named 'The Flash', I had thought at first
that it was called 'Still Wet'
as that was what the sign proclaimed!
(Quite lovely in my living room and
quite appropriate for this fan of Sheldon Cooper!)

'The Flash' didn't get "dressed"
until after his flight to the show.
This one waited until the last minute, too!
But Odd Lot improv artist Andy H
took on the challenge,
with his girl Friday's help.
And I got to watch the action!

Some of the birds were even decked out
with lights for flying into the evening!
That was good, as the auction proceeded
from mid-afternoon until after 7 pm.

One other in the flock
also boasted
running lights.
(Get it? Running lights?)
Adorable and functional!
(smile!)

The homage to 'The Rocky Horror Show' marks Jin Hi's leadership of this year's production.
The black bird to its right, with the 'prayer for peace', was created by my friend Patrick Young, up and coming minister.

Why was this flock of flamingos under this one roof in Savannah?
Why, in support of one whose stance resembles theirs, of course!
All were destined for new homes as they raised funds for
Jin Hi Soucy Rand,
our star of stage and screen,
as she battles cancer yet again.


Birds of a feather
flock together.
Good birds!
I'm so happy to fly with this crowd!

oskar and klaus paper pets!

Calling all kids,
big and small!
Here's Oskar the cat,
here to save us all!
Have no worries
about him being blind,
a more worthy hero
you'll never find!
He's always up
for an adventure
with never a care,
life is meant
to be lived,
if only you dare!

His good buddy Klaus
is a more normal cat.
I guess being sighted
has made him like that.
Still, wherever
Oskar leads him,
he's sure to go,
and if the path is dim,
he'll be sure to go slow.
Left to his own,
Klaus would sleep
on the couch
all day -
without a peep -
he's such a slouch!



For your very own pets,
go to valhallacats.com.
Go on, now...
you know you want some!

As for me, I got mine!
I'm now on alert for the books
and I'll keep you posted
so you'll know when to take a look!

venturing out says farewell

By the time I got involved in 2011, Venturing Out was already three years old and running for the spotlights onstage. I lent my support to their theatrical performance by former inmates and it was a great success. Hooray! I was not able to attend in person, but I watched it on Vimeo. You can, too.
Today, the founder of the Venturing Out sent word that the end of the year will mark the end of their mission. That's not to say that former inmates will be left in the lurch. Oh, no. Other groups have formed with missions similar to those of Venturing Out.
That is a very good thing.
Still, it is sad to see the end of this group.
Here are the reassuring words of farewell from Baillie.

***** ***** *****

Dear Venturing Out supporter,

Today, I am the bearer of sad news. By the end of the year, Venturing Out will have shut its doors. It is a painful day for me, and for the whole VO family. Over the last seven years we have worked hard to develop VO, and I am enormously proud of what we have achieved together. Ultimately, however, we simply do not have the ability to continue.

I set up Venturing Out in 2008 in response to what I saw as an opportunity - that men and women leaving prison struggled to find decent employment due to the stigma of having a criminal conviction, yet many had significant entrepreneurial experience and talent that could be repurposed toward starting their own legal enterprises post-release. Thanks to an incredible group of dedicated volunteers including our passionate entrepreneurship instructors, Venturing Out was born in order to provide practical entrepreneurship education to people in county and state correctional facilities, enabling them to support themselves sustainably upon release. Over the past 7 years, we've supported hundreds of men and women in prison to transfer or gain the skills to start a legal enterprise post-release.

We now welcome a new phase; our all-star instructors Judy Armell (judyarmell@aol.com) and Marilyn Feinberg (marilyn138@comcast.net) have been continuing to teach the course independently and the curriculum will be accessible to anyone else who would like to use it in prisons. If you're interested, please contact Judy and Marilyn directly. We will be donating our remaining assets to the worthy charity Span Inc, which offers a variety of programs to people who've recently been released from prison, and which has been a partner and friend of VO nearly since our inception.

I would like to thank the many people who've enabled VO to come this far - our volunteers, funders, and partners - to say we couldn't have done it without you is an understatement. I want to thank, in particular, our Board of Directors and our former Executive Director Laura Winig, who have invested an unbelievable amount of time, belief and energy into this organization. Above all, I want to thank you, our supporters, who have been there for us during the whole journey.

After seven years, the picture for the criminal justice sector is still gloomy. America's prison population remains the highest in the world at 2.3 million people, which President Obama has called "a source of inequity that has ripple effects on families and on communities and ultimately on our nation." People leaving prison continue to be marginalized and shut out of the labor market - despite the tremendous value they offer the economy, both culturally and financially. I hope there's a significant shift in this sector toward greater investment in rehabilitation and a less punitive ethos, and soon.

If running Venturing Out has taught me one thing it is that we have an incredible pool of latent talent in this country among people in prison, who - given the chance - have an enormous amount to contribute to our culture, our society and our economy. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

I hope we can keep in touch. And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me; my current email address is baillie@sparkinside.org.
All the best, and thank you again for your support,

Baillie
Founder
Venturing Out

***** ***** *****

I'll definitely keep in touch.
My youngest brother will be re-entering society at-large in just a while and I want to be able to steer him in the right direction.
Thanks, Baillie, and thanks to all of your crew over the past seven years, for helping inmates become men and women again.

they're gonna put me in the movies!

Cinema and Me - Savannah Film Festival 2015 from Stefanos Tai on Vimeo.

There I was, volunteering at the Lucas Theatre, smiling and chatting with the customers, when...
BAM!
I was asked to participate in a student film!
Lucas Borovicka was making a bumper film for the Savannah Film Festival and he invited me to be in it, to expound on my philosophy about movies and their importance.
Wow!!!
Savannah College of Art & Design was having contest for its student film makers. Lucas and his team had developed the concept of filming locals voicing their ideas and memories.
Bonnie Blue and Joe of New Jersey had been tagged to star with me!
So, we all were eagerly awaiting our grand turn on the silver screen at this year's film fest. Sadly, the contest was cancelled by the school.
Fortunately, we were given the link to the finished project!
Thanks, Lucas!
I wish you much success in your career!

hellyfish swims to my house!

It's been a long trek around the world, but "Hellyfish" has at long last returned to its spawning grounds.
That would be Tybee Island, Georgia.
Bwah ha ha!!!
I've been awaiting its arrival for better'n three years.
But the time has come to dive in and see what lies beneath the waves..
as soon as I can catch my breath from these first few weeks of the new semester...
just how far away is the shore, anyway?
(smile)
I'll just keep dog paddling and treading water...
but soon, I tell you!
Soon!

kitties to the moon!

When Mick Szydlowski and Travis Bossard contacted me about another book in the works, I was thrilled! Another book about Oskar and Klaus? Bring it on!
Even so, I was not yet ready to commit. Money has been tight and I was still reeling from the hit-and-run driver's demolition of my car and my psyche.
That was almost exactly a month ago.
Jump ahead to today.
Five and a half hours ago, they sent a reminder message. The campaign was coming to a close. If I wanted in on this new project, I needed to make a move.
Alrighty then!
I read the message only thirty minutes ago.
I am now part of the 625-member Mission Control Crew taking this kickstarter project into reality and beyond! How out of this world!
Yes, those two curious kitties, Oskar and Klaus, will be astrocats this time around! "The Mission To Cataria" promises to be a rollicking good time and I am so pleased to have helped them reach one of the stretch goals. Hooray!
Best of all?
I'll have my own copy of the first book, "The Search for Bigfoot". As you may recall, I had given that book to the bfe for his birthday last year.
As a MACH 3 backer of the book, I'm also going to receive a copy of the new book, another Oskar & Klaus Adventure Society Patch, the downloadable PDF of the foldable Oskar & Klaus: Astrocats paper dolls, and the downloadable Oskar & Klaus Wallpapers for digital devices.
How cool is that? But I'm not done yet!
As a special bonus for attainment of the stretch goal, I also get the downloadable PDF Oskar & Klaus "Space Camp" Activity Book!
Wow!
Pardon me while I retrieve those paper dolls...
...I need something to entertain me while I wait for the books!

astrological android 86 of 100

My goodness! I can't believe it has taken so long for me to have the time to truly enjoy this beautiful book!
"The Android's Astrological Companion" arrived back in April, during the busiest time of the spring semester for me. (I teach chemistry at one of the local universities.) Then I had my summer travels eating into my time. (I even brought the book with me, just in case I found a reading pause or two to slip it into. Didn't happen, sadly.)
Situation remedied!
That isn't the book in the photo. It's the very lovely bookplate which is mine, all mine! Cody Vrosh added his artistic talents to create this piece for we kickstarter backers. Elle est belle, n'est-ce pas?
She's a simple black and white creation, though.
You should see the book.
Seriously.
The cover is richly textured, in addition to being richly colored, making it seem as if the synthetic girls could step right off of it and into this world. I wish they could! And the pages have a weight that feels good in the hands, making the book immediately seem like a classic art book.
Seriously!
Go ahead and get your own copy here. It's a mere $20 for 60 pages of beauty and myth - the best deal ever!
Seriously.
Did I say myth?
Why, yes, I did.
There are twelve myths for the twelve misses, written by six authors. I don't know if it was intentional, but two authors wrote one tale each, two authors contributed two stories each, and three authors each have three creations. Nice symmetry there!
(Maybe that's just the analytical chemist in me... but I liked that pattern!)
The question then arose: in what order to present the myths?
Good question!
Unlike any other astrology-based books I've ever seen, this one did not allow the zodiac to dictate the sequence. Why did this begin with Libra and end with Virgo? I have no idea! But I believe that illogical sequence allowed me the freedom to start wherever I wanted and jump around from there.
Thanks, Cody!

I opted to start with tales from the bottom half of the cover.

Specifically, I chose the girl I have been seeing for the last few months, the girl gracing the Kickstarter Wall in my house. How could I resist reading her tale first?
(smile)
Bravo! Such an excellent first choice! Kelly Thompson, in her only offering here, had crafted a bio for my girl, Cancer the Crab! As a dancer cum fighter, this girl certainly was the perfect selection for my Ocean Room after all!
And to think, I had chosen this artwork based on the sealife depicted... coincidence?
Ha! There are no coincidences! That's the Universe in action, y'all!
Which tale would be next? Capricorn to the right of Cancer or Taurus to her left?
Well... neither!

I bounced on up to the upper half of the cover. To the left, to the left!
As it so happens, "bounce" was the right term, too! The Aries tale took place on a crumbling mountain, with a goatbot-enhanced Delphi-9 android pitted against time and Dave the ram. My favorite phrase from Joseph Hewitt's only tale was "Gravity-cognizant rocks crashed down..." Hahaha haha!
Next star system? Gemini, personal favorite! (c)Astor and (pol)Lux are synth bodyguards for a devious politician, and all three are working the crowd at a gala. What happens there? You'll have to read Megan O'Keefe's story for yourself!
Her second tale in this book of myths concerns Pisces, here imagined as interstellar fish composed of nanobots. The avatar for Cypris is dying and she has hightailed it to the great Koi-mother for aide...if that's what you want to call it. Great story!
Brendan Cahill's two tales merge comic elements with an exploration theme. Leo presents an android named Rhessi interacting with a smelly book and a Zen Lion. I just loved it when the Zen Lion, perplexed, gave a shrug! Scorpio was a love story, in truth, all wrapped up as a search for water by an unnamed 'droid and her two companions, critter and Junior, whilst fleeing an angry warlord. (I swear I am not making up those names!) With both stories, I found myself laughing out loud!
Also, one more note about these two stories. The two androids featured in them are diagonally located from each other on the cover. See the pink haired lass in the lower half and the purple and gray dreads of the miss in the upper half? Those are the ones! Cahill is the only author to have this positioning of his heroines.
Just so you know.
Maybe it's a simple coincidence...
that only an analytical chemist would notice.
(smile)
Three myths are created by Sheatiel Sarao. Hers is the first story featured in the book, a tale of a thief of terra-forming things, such as the Scales of Librae. You see, the Consortium Of Revenant Planets had confiscated the gravity-controlling Scales as an Impious Object and placed it into a storage area maintained by these cute little curator bots...and CORPs had to be stopped!
(Hey, I admit it. I like acronyms, too!)
Sagittarius takes place in a post-post-apocalyptic world inhabited by humans, Melters, Clunkers, and scared synths. Believe me, that second "post" is there on purpose. Why? Well, if you read the book, you'll not only find the answer to that query but also a world with Fleshrides and Behemoth Class Detritivores. Rawwwrrrr!
The third tale, Taurus, is of love lost through a foolish dare, love jeopardized on a Night of the Graveyard Moon. Sad and hopeful, with regret and a longing for a second chance, this poignant tale tugs at the mind and the heart.
Last, but not least, are the myths penned by her husband, the creator of the kickstarter project which led to this artbook existing.
As I have noted elsewhere, the artist who created all of these lovely synth-misses is also talented with the crafting of tales. Here, he offers three cheeky causes for contemplation, concerning Capricorn, Aquarius, and Virgo, the remaining three zodiac constellations for these astrology-minded androids.
The first in this trio from Vrosh is a love story...of sorts. The sea-goat, when rescued from its watery tomb, agrees to grant one wish. Fortune? Fame? No, the love-struck android has a yen for something the Little Mermaid should have considered. Very nice!
The second tale was a bit darker, but still with comedic touches. There, the mild-mannered menial, Minali, finds a "sparkly puddle dragon" whilst cleaning the water supply for the humans. Together, they set up a Trojan Squid surprise for the dinner party. Want the recipe? Buy the book!
Hahaha! Haha!
The very last tale, both here and in the book, featured Spica, the laser light unicorn. Imagine a community of sentient beings whose sole purpose was to wonder. If composed only by androids, such a community truly could exist, as they would have no need for food or water or money. Right? Free to wonder about anything, everything eventually would get tasted on their thought palate... everything.
This is definitely the right note on which to end the anthology.
Always leave them wanting more... mission accomplished!

zodiac of teeth for androids

Okay, I finally managed to read this little minibook!
What a hoot!
Thanks, Cody, for the autographed copy of your book, "The Zodiac of Teeth"!
Anyone wanting to grab their own copy can go right here. For only $8, you can have one of your own to carry around in your jacket pocket!
This book would be great fun at a party! You could just whip it out and give your friends a new outlook on astrology!
The book begins with Aries, the Space-Time Ram.
Why with Aries?
I suspect that is because Cody Vrosh is an Aries man. I know my bfe believes the world revolves around his birthday in November.
(smile!)
Apparently, he is a big fan of waffles, too.
Just like the Space-Time Ram.
(smile!)
Taurus the Bully Bull is part of The Sons of Malarkey, but I suspect he has a softer side and can be led around by the ring in his nose.
Desmond and Mulgrew, the Siamese (cat) twins like to discuss the nature of duality. Hey, me, too!
The Retro Red Crab, Cancer, is a lover, not a fighter, even though he looks pretty fierce with those pincers and mouth full of teeth.
The Corporate Carp, Pisces, jokes around all the time. You can find him hanging out by the water cooler, working on puns to make you grin and groan.
(smile!)
But if a fight is what you want, with a side of sarcasm, check in with Leo, the Sweater Vest Lion or Doctor Scorpio. From hacking computers to lampooning with the gift of gab, they're the ones!
The Cosmic Unicorn, Virgo, is the cover boy. Unlike other kvetchy beasts of that ilk, this one can throw a keen party! Dance, dance!
Yep, that is my kind of animal!
(smile!)
Libra the TacoCat and Capricorn the Winter Goat are all about the munchies. Tasty singing bird tacos with a cup of cocoa and a cookie... life is good. Nom, nom!
But if adventure is what you crave, seek out Sagittarius the Carrot Archer or Aquarius the Water Bear-AARRR. Whether you're hanging on the back of the hot Vespa or drifting in a spaceship built for two, you're sure to have fun! Sign me up, please!
Thanks again, Cody, for this bonus book!

atomic size matters to quasicrystals!

Well, well, well! The book almost made it for my birthday! Indeed, if I consider it an extended weekend, then it's right on time!
When I had backed this kickstarter project in February, I had been very impressed with Veronica Berns' intent. She was so excited about the research work she was doing for her doctoral thesis that she wanted folks who knew and loved her to have some understanding of it. She decided to construct a comic book to decrease the fear factor that many folks have at the word "chemistry".
I don't have the time to read it right now. I am about to embark on a trip to Alabama, north Georgia, and North Carolina. I know I will be quite busy with family every day.
However, after that, I'll be off to south Florida for two weeks. That will be a solo journey and I'll try to read the book during that part of my summer vacation.
So... stay tuned!

happy birthday from allegiance!

Such wonderful news for my birthday!!!
"Allegiance" has found a home on Broadway...
and the show will go on!!!
I can now use my Priority Access Pass to buy a ticket to the play!
Well... I can...
though I don't think I'll be able to take off during the fall semester to jet off to New York City...
but I could, thanks to my investment last year!
Where will it premiere?
Longacre Theatre.
When will it officially open on Broadway?
November 8, 2015.
Not that it will be the first performance of the play written by Marc Acito and Jay Kuo, after two chance encounters - at Broadway plays, no less - with George Takei in 2008.
No, the play had its premier in the world in San Diego, at the Old Globe Theatre, in September of 2012.
Now, just three years later, it'll be on Broadway!
Where the lights are brighter, you can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares...
pardon me while I break out in song!
I do hope I will be able to see the play!

astrological androids in my house!

My reward has arrived!
So very beautiful it is, too,
not just in appearance,
but also in satisfaction
of the tactile sense of touch!
Such a fancy upgrade to the cover!
What a superb job Cody Vrosh did illustrating "The Android's Astrological Companion"!
I want to read the stories now, but I must wait.
The school semester is winding to a close
and I have mountains of papers to grade.
Patience, my dear, patience.
The summer will soon arrive,
with time a-plenty for
many things postponed to be done.
Perhaps by a pool somewhere...

Cody also included his book,
"The Zodiac of Teeth"!
With a bespectacled,
goateed unicorn on the cover
of this minibook,
it looks to be great fun!
Thanks to the kickstarter project
reaching - and exceeding -
three stretch goals,
this bonus was added.
Way to go, y'all!
Again, sadly, I must wait
until I have time
to fully enjoy it.
Soon!

pardon my swoon - GHT Girl has arrived!!!

Is it Christmas? My birthday? Some other special occasion?
You betcha!!!
It's "G H T G Day" at my house!
i thank You, God!

No more
traveling to other towns
for the movie!

No more
paper copy
of the "Cast & Crew" pin!

She arrived early, too! I was not expecting her until this summer, honestly. Stuart had sent a message about the distribution date being April 14th, so I figured that meant just a few months longer. I was still hoping for her to arrive before my birthday at the end of May, but if a tad later, that would be fine.
How lovely it is to be wrong!

astrological android of cancer in the ocean room!

What a perfect image, right? The Android of Cancer, with its rich reds and golds and silvers, in a frame with a beautiful mottled coloration seemingly made for that artwork - perfect, right?
Almost.
I still need a piece of glass or plexiglass to protect the art.
But no need to let it languish in a box, unadored, undisplayed, unacknowledged.
"The Android's Astrological Companion" has not yet arrived, but will soon. While we wait, though, Cody Vrosh wanted to make sure his kickstarter backers didn't sit still twiddling their thumbs in anticipation.
Oh, no!
So, he tasked the fifty-eight of us who were receiving the single 11" x 14" prints to choose the one we most wanted.
The one most wanted.
But I liked five of them!!!
I wanted "Gemini" because that's my astrological sign. His take on them had a decidedly Cthulhu flavor, which was pretty cool, too.
I wanted "Libra" because of the fabulous watertones used in the backsplash - perfect for my Ocean Room! The tiny robots were so cute!
I wanted "Sagittarius" in memory of Mama, whose money helped me land me on my path as Fliss of Kickstarter. Plus, the Cthulhu touch, once more.
I wanted "Virgo" for the unicorn, mostly, but that mohawk maiden added a strong female figure that appealed to me.
But in the end, the strong female that stole my heart was the punk rocker in "Cancer". Oh, yeah! The fact that she had crabs didn't bother me at all!
(smile!)
Cody, if you ever happen to read this and want to send me some more, I'm certainly willing, and most appreciative, of the opportunity to take care of them for you.
Most appreciative!
(smile!)

old-fashioned speculative relationship, up against the wall

Nothing beats the right frame for the job.
I found this one at the Goodwill in Bluffton.
Perfect!!!
The frontispiece for "Speculative Relationships" has a good home on my Kickstarter Wall, too: high enough to raise the gaze, but not so high as to be unreachable.
That sounds hopeful to me!
I do believe the authors would all approve!

kickstarter wall in the ocean

As you know, I have several pieces of art which I have been granted as rewards for being a kickstarter backer.
They had been scattered about in my house or tucked away safely, waiting for me to decide what to do with them.
Well, last year, when I was catching up on recording the projects in this blog, I decided to dedicate one wall in my Ocean Room to my "fliss" rewards.
That probably followed from my thinking of myself as Fliss of Kickstarter.
After all, if I was going to have the moniker as part of my LinkedIn identity, then I needed to give that persona some acknowledgement in my house. Right?
I thought it only appropriate.
So, my Ocean Room now contains my Kickstarter Wall, an homage to the talent and creativity of the many artists I have supported for these past three years.
For some, the artwork is a piece created directly for the kickstarter project, as the basis of the project or as a reward.
For others, the brag bit will be a simple thing.

A bumper sticker.
A bookmark.
A patch.
A postcard.
A sticker.
A logo.
Another postcard.
Another logo.
A thank-you card.
Another postcard.
A bee, just for me.
A coaster.
A thank-you note.
A thank-you photo with butterfly.
A gawsy postcard.
A cast-autographed thank-you note.
A postcard from a legend.
An invitation to a bus stop.

This is a work in progress, obviously.
To be continued is my intention.

jelli and the gnawzler: creatures on the wall!

Swimming in the ocean of the Kickstarter Wall
Jelli Oculari floats among the Okinawan fronds
while the Orange Gnawzler creeps and crawls
through the flowery undergrowth.

My thanks, once more, to the two women behind this project!

wandzel muralcle valentine gift

The best things in life don't have a price tag.
The good folks involved with the muralcle just keep giving and giving.
When the Savannah Art Wall on Habersham was being demolished last year, word was sent to its kickstarter backers.
"Want a piece of the wall? Come and get it!"
So I did.
With Matt's help, I located my special brick in the wall.
The one painted by Troy Wandzel on a hot June day in 2012.
I had not remembered the day being videotaped, but it was.
For a last Valentine from SeeSAW, the video link was given to us.
No further exchange of funds, no rushing to buy anything.
Just a true gift from the heart.
(smile)
But that wasn't all.
When I watched the video, there was an extended segment when I was the subject. Starting at video time 0:49, and ending at 0:52, I'm in each frame.
I had forgotten that I was wearing Daddy's shirt.
But I can almost remember the conversations we were having. Especially when he had to mix that neon green for my sunglasses.
What a day of sunshine and good times!
I have watched the video, at least that segment, several times now. I even slowed it down, to step through it. Thanks to the huge monitors on the Macs on campus, I was able to snap a few photos to keep here.
While I am aware that they may not be in actual sequence, I still think they are a good document of the event.
I know I will treasure them... and that day.
Thanks, y'all!

atomic size matters

I needed to do something positive today.
Earlier, I found out about the deaths of two women in my social circles. I wasn't as close to them as I might one day have been, as our friendships are still fairly new.
Nonetheless, their deaths have left a dark place in my psyche.
How better to remedy the loss than by helping with the creation of something new?
As a chemist, this kickstarter project truly speaks to me. Veronica Berns, a recent doctoral graduate in chemistry, has inked a comic book to help explain solid state chemistry to her family and friends.
Pretty nifty, right?
What is solid state chemistry?
You know, the stacking of atoms to create micro-scale versions of old-fashioned vacuum tubes and transistors to help your computers, laptops, and even phones be "smart" for you, while still being physically small and lightweight. A scant 35 years ago, I was an electronics maintenance technician for the US Navy's "modern" computers, machines which were the size of refrigerators and required their own sterile, cool, environments - and had a fraction of the operating memory of today's electronic toys.
That's less than two generations ago! Amazing!
But I digress, as I am known to do...
(smile)
My $29 is not really needed by her campaign. Her science project has struck a chord and has garnered more than double the amount she had set as her goal.
Amazing! Does my heart good to know there are more than five hundred nerds like me who want a copy of her book. I wonder how many of the backers are also teachers like me?
I'll look forward to its shipment in May - just in time for my birthday!
Nice!

hellyfish approaching shore!

"I'll wait.... I want it ALL!!!
Wishing y'all continued success!"

That's the message I left for Pat Longstreth and Rob Maclean, the makers of the award-winning, terror-of-the-ocean, short film, "Hellyfish". The kickstarter project stalled for a while, as the creators had moved and life had intruded, as it will.
Then a flurry of action ensued!
The film was accepted into several festivals and proceeded to win awards like crazy!
That led to distribution deals and subsequent delays in fulfilling rewards to their backers.
Like me.

But on the 11th of this month, the newest updates were quite hopeful!
"Awards and Festival Roundup
With the fall film festival circuit officially over and a new year beginning, this seems like a good time to reflect on the adventure of our film so far. “Hellyfish” has been an official selection at 25 film festivals spanning the globe including America, Canada, France, England, Belgium and Australia. Unfortunately we could not make it to every one of them, but the ones we did attend included sold out screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and world-class hospitality. It was everything we hoped it would be and we met amazing filmmakers along the way.
Every festival was truly a magical experience, but my favorite was the Crystal Palace Film Festival near London. The “Sci-Fi and Horror Night” was a week after Halloween and patrons were asked to arrive in costume. So, dressed as swashbuckling pirates, my cousin and I took shelter from the driving rain at St. John’s Cathedral. Festival director Neill Roy, dressed as Beetlejuice, offered us a glass of champagne. The church was awe inspiring and the acoustics were out of this world. “Hellyfish” played to an enthusiastic audience and I had a Q&A with Neill afterward. Also I was able meet up with our main animator, Pryce Duncalf, who lives near London. We have been working together for two years, but this was the first time we met in person!
And we won a few awards:

Best Comedy Short
Buffalo Dreams Film Festival 2014
Buffalo, NY

Best Short Film
Scare-a-Con 2014
Verona, NY

Best Local Film (Golden Shovel)
Buried Alive Film Festival
Atlanta, GA

The festival circuit was a big success by our standards and we’re excited to see the online presence continue to grow. The entire 12 minute film was posted on Youtube just before Halloween and the response has been encouraging and entertaining. We’ve enjoyed fun comments, emails, reviews and we especially love this video from Tony of the Dead.
HUGE thanks again to everyone who helped pull this film together and make it a success!"

Then, a little later that day, came Update 17:
"You may be wondering about your DVD with special features. Unfortunately the festivals have pushed back production by a few months. I can't give you an exact date, but they are coming and they're gonna be really awesome! In the meantime you can watch the film on Youtube..."

The video is also posted on their website. So, if you're curious about the effect of radiation from an unexploded WWII nuclear bomb, buried in the waters off Tybee Beach, on the invertebrate sea life, go ahead and take a look at the movie.
I've done so several times.
Can't wait to get it in my hot little hands!!!

new horizon artwork on my wall!

There he is, lolling on my kickstarter wall, gazing at the window!
Looks right at home, doesn't he?
Yes, this art print from Jeremy Lawson, the man behind "Horizon Anthology: Volume One", features a young man who could have stepped right out of its pages.
A young man in search of adventure!
I like that!

Over here?
This young woman is just fine
on her own,
thank you very much.
I like to think that Morgan Beem
was continuing the tale of
Snow White's daughter,
now grown and able to slay wolves for herself.
Notice that nice fur coat
against that pinked alabaster skin!
I'm still looking for the right frame,
but she'll be up on the wall one day soon.
I promise!

up to the horizon and beyond!

Finally!
Not to mean "finally this has arrived" - oh, no. Jeremy Lawson did a fabulous job of getting rewards out to his kickstarter backers. I think I received my copy of the "Horizon Anthology: Volume One" in October, or possibly early November.
No, I remember now. It was definitely before the end of October.
All I can say for sure is this: I've read the book several times and truly love many of the fifteen tales! I've even made little notes so I can talk about the stories!
I just haven't carved out the niche in my schedule to sit here, in the laptop's glow, and share those notes.
No time like the present! Classes begin on Monday and that would only cause more delay.
Why did I support this project?
Because of my affinity for "The Incredibles", as I mentioned before.
Because I want to know "the rest of the story", as Paul Harvey would have said.
Because this is the only form of "what if" I like to play.
(smile)
So, let's take a gander, shall we?
But do we do so in order of appearance, or type, or author's last name?
Hmmm... reverse alphabetical it is!
David Stoll's "Ember" presents a king mired in settling petty squabbles instead of slaying dragons as he once did. Sigh. Enter two clueless hunters, add a switcheroo, and stir mightily! Great fun!
"Options" takes a different tack. Sarah Stern poses the question: What would you do if your evil lord died and you were free to follow your dream? Would "open a bakery" be your first choice??? Well, as it turns out, you might want be well advised to consider that, as it allows you to use pastry to win over your former enemies. Very nice! Lots of bright colors, too.
"Happily Ever After" is explored directly by Nicky Soh. A little boy is playing with his toys, acting out his favorite bedtime story about the Warrior and the Evil Witch Queen. Enter mom and dad... and blur the line between myth and reality! Cool! The simple lines and bright colors enhance its feel as a child's fairy tale. Nice work!
"Sun and Moon" has to be one of the sweetest love stories in the book. Between a prince and princess? No, my dear, between a boy and his grandma. Ally Shwed has crafted a gentle tale of keeping hope alive in a devastated future world. Beautifully done!
Laura Neubert's "Cast In Stone" merges Greek mythology with the world of modern thespians for something a bit different. Very nice retelling of Medusa's origin, too! This was also one of the few tales which didn't feature princes or princesses or royalty of any kind - quite original!
For this next one, may I suggest a soundtrack? Go ahead and tune up Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water". Seriously. I'll wait.
You need that for the driving action behind Moses Nestor's futuristic tale of humans and aliens. "Fire On The Horizon" is inked with deep flame reds and cool ocean blues and speaks a story of love. I really liked it!
In an odd way, it brought to mind Rinko Endo's story, "The Same Moon". I guess that makes it a "speculative relationship", too.
(smile)
Ian McGinty's "TRIBE." left me cold, despite the snugglies worn by his futuristic clan.
(smile)
Set in a world made barren by a dying sun, I'm sure that's the reaction he intended. Check and mate, sir!
Should I stay or should I go? That's the question of all three of Jeremy Lawson's characters in "Adrift". (Here's the song from The Clash for your wanderin' toes.) Is it nobler to forsake the familiar to roam the Earth or to stay and fight for what is local? So asks the fry cook aloud, the hired hand of himself, and the returning hero by his actions. Nice bit of philosophy there!
Hahaha! "The Adventures of Wilt and Zeed: Dragon Slayers" had a nice comedic twist at the end! Bryant LaMare is obviously riffing on Bill and Ted, which is cool by me - I love those guys! This finds the two adventurers as a human and an alien, on an alien planet, fighting to save the WORLD!!! It really is quite funny and has some interesting details in the backgrounds. (I like the shadows on the walls.)
Jen Hickman provides us a prince, not living too happily. Sure, he's married the fair maiden of his dreams and defeated the evil conjuror and his minions... but, now what? The thrill is gone, as B.B. King would attest. "Mind The Gap", y'all, between what you think you want and what you actually need, or the bad guy gets the last laugh!
Adam Del Re has a nice sense of humor, too. Take one knight, deep in a castle after slaying the dragon, now on "The Way Out". Or he would be if he could remember the path - poor guy! A neon EXIT sign sure would have helped!
(I can so relate to his predicament! Without my Garmin Nuvi, I am easily lost.)
"No More Villains" was the only collaborative piece in the anthology, crafted between Angael Davis (author and drawer) and Patricia Daguisan (colors). Here, we have a man in the midst of an identity crisis, confused about which type of person he is. His kids, on the other hand, aren't confused at all and set him straight! Lovely story, rich purples and soft crimsons in the palette, and a protagonist with a great family!
A similar theme runs through "Mr. Victory in the Age of Suburbia": a man with an identity crisis, though his is softened by age. Athena Currier's former hero has a close resemblance to Prince Valiant, down to the pageboy hairdo, but now he's an older family man. Still, he ponders the questions of life as he fetches milk from the local grocer... a very nice tale about appreciating becoming older. Even the color scheme speaks of a fading sunset with its soft yellows, muted salmons, and dusky grays.
Or maybe that's just how I relate to it, now that I'm in that middle-aged stage of life.
(smile)
Jorge Corona's tale, as the last in this book, takes us one step closer to the endgame of man's existence. "A Lifelong Battle" follows an aged warrior king as he refuses to go gentle into that good night, even after many years with a quiet reign. Nicely done tale of death with dignity.
Tales of aging men are plentiful, but what about those aging princesses? Who speaks of them? Morgan Beem does, in the very first story in this anthology. Snow White, "Fairest of Them All", has wed the prince, become queen, and birthed a beautiful daughter. And so the trouble begins. As her daughter blossoms, her own flower is fading, as is her self esteem. What to do?
Well, you'll have to read that story for yourself, won't you?
I'm so glad to have been part of this grand adventure!