Wow Factor Art

Red Wolf Art

I wish I could tell you I found Red Wolf. I did not. My husband did. We were at the San Jose Tapestry and Talent festival circa 2005. I became entralled with some artist's work, which meant I took up resident at the booth trying to select 'my' art. He instantly became fatigued with the process (as he always does) and motored on to admire other works of passion.

It was then that his feet landed in the extra large, open air Red Wolf booth. He was gone so long that I actually completed my art acquisition unharassed and started my trek to find him. I ran upon him several yards into the beginning of my trail. I will never forget how positively animated he was about finding Red Wolf. "You must see Red Wolf. He is incredible," he asserted.

On the way to Wolf's booth, I learned that the majority of my husband's absence was spent at that booth. Also, he spent 20 minutes talking to Red Wolf and his wife, Gazelle. My husband is NOT a social mixer. Now, I was thoroughly intrigued. This man stayed in one place and talked to somone he didn't know for over 20 minutes. Yes, I needed to see this art.

Side story note: My husband has an attention span of a gnat. Readily making this point, he only went to a 3-4 booths before he saw Red Wolf but forgot where Red Wolf's was. Therefore, we walked the entire festival in search of Red Wolf. The entire walk I only heard him discuss how outrageous and extraordinary Red Wolf's art is and was pestered into speedily leaving booths that didn't measure up. Translation - I wasn't allowed to stop at any booths until he found Red Wolf's again. With every passing step, the enthusiastic words flowed. He soon through down the gauntlet. "I'm going to get me a Red Wolf painting," he said. My legs posted into the ground like a streetlight I exclaimed the only word one could say in such a situation, "What?!"

Back on track: When we arrived at Wolf's booth, I was sufficiently overcome with awe. My husband and I struck a deal that Red Wolf was definitely an artist to buy. His work made our short list. I had to set aside a piece of art I wanted. It took us a few years to save up for his art, but we did it. We are proud owners of his work. Every person that comes through our house says "WOW" when they see Red's art in our living room.

One day I may write about "The day we bought Red Wolf art." It's worth a post.

None of these pics do his work justice. Yet, you need to see something other than my chatter.

Beyond

Silverfish Tear

Circle of Light

Circle of Life

Obelisk

For Star Trek: The Next Generation

The Obelisk was requested by Star Trek: The Next Generation television show. This piece was a window view of galatic space.

Bamboo Forest

Abstract 10

Opinion and Summary

In my humble estimation, Red Wolf is the finest unknown American contemporary artist. He deserves to eclipse artists like mega-machine "painter of light" Thomas Kinkade and exalted newcomer Michael Flohr.

I am not a snobby, uptight, and arrogant art critic, buyer, or curator. I, admittedly, am a salt of the earth Jane Doe geek that has an extraordinary eye for design and a love affair with art. I have been in it and around it for over 20 years.

There is no artist doing what Red Wolf does. He paints on metal. This is an oversimplification of his art. His art is anything but simple. Wolf somehow achieves a 3-D effect. Yes, 3-D!

Red Wolf was finally accepted to participate at the crème de la crème American art festival, Sausalito Art Festival, in 2008 and 2009. Artists all over the world attempt to jury into this festival. Few are chosen.

Wolf had been rejected for many years until the chairman of the Sausalito Art Festival saw him at another festival. That's the thing with Red Wolf's art. Pictures do not do it justice. You must see it.

If you know anything about festivals, you know most of them are free. Sausalito charges a $20 per person entry fee. So, that tells you something about this venue. This show is for the serious art purveyor and connoisseur.

If you want to see or learn more, visit Red Wolf's site here.

NASA Beauties 1

Spectaculars from NASA

Sombrero Galaxy

Andromeda Galaxy

A Weeping Heart

Another star forms. Another life begins in a new dimension. This is majesty – to transform. A soulful being starts anew, moves beyond physical confines.

Then, why am I extraordinarily sad?

Daddy died yesterday. He had a painful journey becoming a shell of a human being, but that mattered not to me. Why? He was still here.

He never complained about that horrid journey either. I guess I got that trait from him.

I prayed for many months that he would be restored to his rambunctious and quippish self. It never happened. Only the decline continued unabashedly and unabatedly. It was not until a couple of weeks ago that I came to terms with the eventuality of Daddy's transformation.

My prayers transformed into requests for a peaceful and loving homecoming. One where each of his siblings, totaling 9 now, are there to welcome him and shower him with Love. I prayed that his parents, extended family, and friends in this realm pay tribute, respect, and envelope him in affection.

It was a long, slow journey to the end. Daddy had a massive stroke about a year ago. The stroke attacked the right side of his brain and paralyzed the left side of his body. The doctor’s told my mother and I that he would never be the same. Yet, after that stroke, he was very alert, could speak, and reason.

We did not accept this. We knew Daddy. He was as stubborn as an ox. He had strokes before and recovered nearly whole. Why would this one be so different? One stroke in particular rendered him unconscious for weeks, and he gradually bounced back. It took him awhile, and there was a lot of rehabilitation. Yet, he came back.

Though, I think deep down inside I knew. I knew this one was "the" one. I will never forget when I first saw him after this last powerful stroke. I hugged him and he raised his only moving arm, found my hand, and clasped it solid. My heart was in my throat. We never exchanged words. We just held each other's hand.

The sustained trauma of this stroke crystalized the reality. Month after agonizing month, the truth revealed. He will never recover. Yet, my hope and prayers flowed fervently.

It’s odd how Mom and I came to the same place at the same time. We never uttered a word about letting go until we were both standing at the precipice.

Of late, I questioned ardently why we live if only to die. I used to think, "I know this answer," but I find myself with a complete loss of reason. I know what the Good Book and Sunday School taught us. Yet, when it comes right down to it, it simply does not make sense. Well, at least, not right now.

I’m certain I will get an answer. I always do for a ponder, wonder, and wander.

Yesterday, I said I was going to transform my blog into an image inspiration notebook.

The need to write about my Dad was bigger than me.

I will conclude my feelings with a quasi streaming consciousness poem.

Daddy,

You lived and loved.

And you picked the right beloved.

You supported and praised.

You believed in family even with their unfriendly ways.

You taught me dedication and stamina to boot.

You found things to laugh at and were a real hoot.

You loved learning and had a passion for singing.

On the latter, I will forgive.

The mere thought of those crazy notes you hit send my ears a ringing.

Ting a ling, a ling, ling.

You gave back to the whole family no matter the cost.

I will miss you, mourn you, and know our loss.

At last, you feel no more pain.

‘Cause you have moved to a higher plane.

May you walk among the stars forever.

For that is your rightful place.

We take peace in knowing your spirit dawns a new face.

May the wings of Love keep you above the clouds and catapult you beyond the skies of low.

A new journey begins…

Let us in the now remember you as the man you were

and the soul that graced us to know.

Daddy, I Love You Always.

Kaja

Fireplace Redesign = Hot, Hot, Hot

A Traditional Rethought

Fire Orb

New Direction For Kaja Loves...

It is hard to believe how much time soared by since my last post. I have researched much, come across amazing products, and have seen very cool designs. I thought of putting posts up about them. Yet, when you are focused full speed on something, you don't stop to write a mini-dissertation about it. Unless, it's a career choice, or you're POd, or you just have nothing else to do, or ... I will stop now because I am writing myself into a corner.

The bottom line is I have been busy. Busy working on other creative projects and busy working on business issues for my parents. Writing the "p" word at all should indicate the very nature of this time sucking vortex.

If your Mom is anything like my Mom, the average phone call is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Yes, I started tracking them. It's very easy with cell phones. Every time I get off the phone with her, I have to charge it.

I Love my mother, but let's be real here.

Here are the "Mom call" events.

1. Phone rings. I see incoming number is "Mom."
2. I look at the charge on my phone. It's typically around 80%.
3. I answer the phone, "Hi, Mom."
4. And she ALWAYS says this. "Hi, baby. You have a minute. I have something quick to share with you."
5. I find a chair if I'm not already sitting.
6. We talk. Have several false positive conclusions.
7. Call ends.
8. Phone goes on the charger.

Like clockwork every time.

There are events 9 and 10. These are the 2 types of Action Items - "Preferred" and "Assigned." Need I say more?

I digress and lapse into serious blogging.

My new way to blog is - "The Cool of the Day."

When I see an exciting design, product, art, or hear amazing music, I will post it. And post it with sparce commentary.

Let the daily inspiration begin.

Public Enemies is Hot

This film is not for kids. It is violent character-driven presentation.

Johnny Depp was fantastic. He, once again, excelled. He transformed himself into John Dillinger in this bio-inspired picture.

Dillinger was a restless and troubled soul. He thrived on criminal activity and lived a life always looking over his shoulder. He also was a creature of habit, which cost him in the end.

This film delivered on the cinematic, cast, and story scales.

I have only one criticism of the film. It failed to show the gravity of his lifestyle and choice of his profession. His died at age 31 having already spent 8.5 years in prison and a childhood history of being a bully.

Picture vs Film - Is Pres. Obama really checking her out?

It has been said that pictures say a thousand words. I say No. Film says that better.

The web is all a buzz on the paparazzi pic that tells one story. The whole thing is laughable if you take the paparrazi out of it. Celebrity victims know about this all to well how. I think I heard them say "Damn" collectively.


Here's the full story in moving pictures frame by frame. Obama Checking Out Lady? Judge for Yourself

I wonder what Faux news (aka Fox News) reported. Hold On. I have to check. Just as I suspected. Faux news is still reporting that President Obama took a sneak peak even after one of their own Greta Van Susteren, host of On the Record, aired a video July 9th that debunked the picture.

This image will go down in history as "pictures really can be deceiving."

Pelham 1-2-3 Actually, 4-5-6. Let's talk...

A Tale of Two Actors and a Fantastic Cast.

If you don't know by now, the "Taking of Pelham 123" is yet another one of Hollywood's classic remake. In this case, the classic was the 1974 "Taking of Pelham One Two Three." See the difference. The movies do share a common bone structure, but there are interesting differences.

I have never been a fan of remaking a film unless it's a pure dud. The original Pelham was anything but. Yet, it appears that in today's movie industry anything older than 20 years is fair game for a remake. I digress.

Incidentally, the math on that is: 20 years/1 generation = new movie.

Leaving me to ask...

1. What's the deal on paying all those writers to come up with NEW stories? I have read there are huge script vaults of stories that have never been made.
2. What's the deal with those vaults too?

I simply do not understand. Once again, I digress.

The green-lighters keep going back to the same old shed and blowing dust off films that have already been done before. I guess that's Hollywood. I digressed, again.

I'm ecstatic some studios have homes outside Los Angeles (like Los Hooligans, Lucas, and Pixar). Last ramble.

Original made 1974

A Snapshot of the 1974 Version

I saw the original (1974) movie twice. Both times on TV. The second time was pretty recent. I guess the studio wanted to promote the new movie. Not sure if that helped them or hurt them. The only reason I watched it again was because someone else wanted to see it. At that point, it became background noise for me. I do not mean that in a bad way. I was doing something else and well you know...

Advantages of the 1974 Version

1. Great Actors - the primary, supporting, and incidental cast.

Walter Matthau was the shrewd, affable Lt. Garber. Matthau's affability was disarming and charming. He seemed like a good ol' uncle you wanted to sit and have a chat with.

Robert Shaw (lethal nemesis in the James Bond's From Russia with Love) played a sinister villain. You really hated the man. This man you would remember as an image to avoid. The poster on the carton to look out for not save.

2. The Pace. Well trimmed tension and release.

3. The Style. The transit authority employees felt real. They interacted with one another with that special New York crass mixed with a bit of humor. The dialogue was fantastic, and in hindsight, probably thoroughly researched.

When you watched the 1974 version, you were immersed in New York lingo. You felt this was an authentic portrayal of how the working class New Yorker talks and acts.

Negative, a fairly big one

This version kowtowed to the stereotypical images of people and types of people. It was rather condescending in that way and in this way this version went off rails.

On the train, there was a Spanish lady, a maid, a hooker, a homosexual, a pimp, a Jewish man, a salesman, and on and on. They wanted to create melting pot but it felt contrived. If you ever watched Speed, you have an understanding of what I mean. The bus was filled with people going to their destination somewhere. Unlike, all of these specific people handpicked to be in the same location at the same time. It didn't feel like a typical cross section of people. It felt like a Hollywood cross section targeted at making preconceived statements about people.

This is where the new Pelham 123 excels.

I do, however, recommend seeing the Matthau and Shaw version. It is a study of characters in a particular profession living in a gritty location (NYC).

This one inspired Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs action thriller in dialogue, action, and names. I do wish Tarantino would be more progressive with his dialogue too. Remember Mr. Blue and Mr. Brown? They first appeared in this Pelham One Two Three (1974).

Pelham 1 2 3 Redux

This version had two major things going for itself:

1. The Actors and
2. The Story Rewrite.

Surprised? Yeah, I was about the writing. Never on the acting.

The writing was fairly tight and brought in more supporting cast. You learned more about the people involved in this nightmare as humans, not workers versus evil people. In the first Pelham, it was all about the hijack then some light character development. As a rewrite, I tip my hat to the 2009 version.

The strongest aspect of this film hands down was the acting, from everyone. Every cast member shined. I was particularly impressed with Denzel Washington and John Travolta performances. I did not believe they would disappoint. Yet, I was not prepared for how much they gave.

Denzel Washington usually plays a very strong character. This role required him to pull that back, restrain. He had to be a respected albeit beaten down high ranking transit official, Lt. Garber. He even transformed himself into a hefty man to further imbue that civil servant role.

Looked the civil servant part and acted like it.

John Travolta was the maniacal antihero. You didn't like the guy but he had personality. And he was real. Robert Shaw's villainous character you wanted to die. You could not connect with this guy. He looked and sounded like a man that he if he ran you over, he would stop the car, get out, and pour acid on you then leave.

Travolta's Pelham 123 mastermind was a guy you'd like to have lunch with as long as there was a bullet proof glass wall between you. That is a fine balancing act. I'm not sure if that is what Tony Scott (director) wanted, but that is certainly how I felt.

Look at the crazy eyes - Travolta in complete character.

The supporting cast was an array of familiar faces with rock solid talent.

John Turturro


James Gandolfini

Gandolfini showing range in playing an empty, lame duck politician.

Aunjanue Ellis

You may remember Ellis as MSgt. Jocelyn Pierce in the short lived Benjamin Brait TV series E-Ring.

Ramon Rodriguez

If you watched TV shows "The Wire" or "Day Break," you know Rodriquez. We will see him again in Transformers II opening June 22nd.

The new Pelham 123 had a refreshing visual style. It reminded me of one of the Bourne Identity sequels. I wished the film editor did more intercutting between four key scenes: the train, the station, the mayor, and the police. But that's nitpicking.

A movie's ending is critical. How will the audience feel after that final scene? Bittersweet melancholy. I doubt Tony Scott wanted me to leave his movie holding that emotion. I didn't either. I popped over to the adjacent theater and caught the last 15 minutes of Up for my feel good boost. That immediately did the trick.

Conclusion: I will watch it again. Through Netflix.

Kaja's Rating:

4 soaring rockets

Summary: Well done revision. Well done, indeed.

Tickets Suck!!!

I got a ticket today. And I have to say, this rates right up there in the top 10 things that suck.

Okay, here are the facts.

1. I was driving on the freeway (Hwy 280) towards Palo Alto.
2. I was driving in the passing lane (far left).
3. I got in that lane to pass a biker who entertained himself by doing a speed-up-slow-down dance.

The officer that pulled me over said I was doing 81 in a 65 mph zone. I have a hard time believing this because the car in front of me dived into the next lane to avoid being tracked. That action forced me to put on my brakes because I didn't know why the car swerved. I thought maybe the driver had one to many drinks or something in the road. Then in a distance I saw two motorcycle cops on the left shoulder and understood all. When I looked down at my speedometer, it read 62 mph.

Okay, me and my quiet-big-mouth told the cop this, the car diving part, which he had to have seen, not the drinking or debris stuff. That probably didn't help any. But I do know, he had to register my complete sincere incredulousness because he cracked a slight smile.

Of course, he could have been secretly laughing inside because the other driver was smooth enough to jerk his car out of the firing lane and let the next sucker take the hit. I'm not sure. Yet, even I'm laughing as I type because that joker was smooth. Dang It!

I was so startled when one of the motorcycle cops swung in behind me and turned his lights on. I literally scanned the right lane to see who he nabbed, then I realized, "Oh, he wants me." That fateful out stretched arm signaling for me to pull over and I still looked around to see if he really meant me. Can you believe that?

Yep. It was me. I was the only car in the far left lane. Drats!

Perhaps it was a slow day, the government needs more funds, which it does - desperately. I do know that I rarely have a cop sighting on that freeway. Perhaps, I've been lucky. I have seen police cruise it to go places not to stalk speeders. Whenever I have seen police sitting, it was for accidents on the 280 San Jose - Mountain View corridor.

Heck, perhaps all this happened due to my stomach growling at 1:30 PM. Doubt it. I wasn't hungry afterward or was that a side effect?

All I know is another one got it mid-day on a fairly empty freeway during the economy of pits.

You know, part of it still feels like a dream. When the ticket arrives, I will feel the next sting.

This wasn't me, but I feel their pain.

As facts go, the last ticket I had was 10 years ago. And that one was an assist too. There was a tall truck in front of me obscuring the light. He ran the yellow turning red that I could not see until I was into the intersection. Every orange moon I wished I fought that ticket. The evidence was on their film - the truck, the light, and me.

Oh well... I paid that bloody fine because I was moving to California in two weeks and the court date was in four.

I wonder... could this be a sign?

After the frustration of today's ticket, I started to return home and somehow ended up at the movie theater and watched 2 shows. The first movie, Pelham 1-2-3, was riddled with cops.

So, you know that wasn't going to do. After that flick finished, I patrolled for another. I boldly entered where I had gone before and received goosebumps again and wanted so more.

Everyone needs an escape every now and then.

Car Innovation Chronicle

Every Car Has A Story

As I researched the history of automobile innovations, I thought it would be nice to include the history in the Skycar post. Then it happened, the blog got too long.

The research is in two formats: text based and the graphic based.


Timeline of Car Innovations and the Unfortunate Crisis

1807 - Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first internal combustion engine.

1860 - Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir built the first successful 2-stroke gas driven engine.

1881 - Gustave Trouve demonstrated a working 3-wheeled automobile powered by electricity. (Yes, electric cars have been around awhile.)

1885 - Karl Benz created the first 4-stroke gasoline engine named the Motorwagen.

1886 - Ransom Olds received a patent for a gasoline powered automobile.

1896 - Henry Ford built his first car the Quadricycle.1901 - Ransom Olds patented the production line concept and debuted the large-scale production automobile manufacturing.

1908 - Henry Ford built the Model T.

1914 - Henry Ford perfected the assembly line and revolutionized the automotive industry cranking out a car every 15 minutes. The total time of assembly for a single car fell from 12.5 labor hours to 93 labor minutes.

1966 - US Congress introduces the first bill recommending use of electric vehicles to reduce air pollution.

1972 - Victor Wouk, the "Godfather of the Hybrid," builds the first full-powered, full-size hybrid vehicle out of a 1972 Buick Skylark provided by GM.

1974 - Vanguard-Sebring debuts the CitiCar Electric Vehicle in Washington, D.C. By 1975, the company is the 6th largest automaker in the U.S. but is dissolved only a few years later.

1976 - US Congress passes the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act. The law intended to spur the development of new automotive technologies including: improved batteries, motors, and other hybrid-electric components.

1990s - Emerging interest and primarily the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate for production of oil alternative cars. GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda created the electric vehicles (EV) in response for lease only. All but Toyota actively campaigned to eliminate EV production.

1997 - Toyota unveils the Prius. The world's first commercially mass-produced and marketed hybrid car.

2000 - GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, and Honda shutdown their EV production plants by 2000. Ironically, Toyota was the only manufacturer committed to EVs and took CARB seriously.

2008 - GM, Ford, and Chrysler became another casualty of the global financial crisis. Many critics blamed the inability of the big 3's executive staff to innovate, eliminate redundant lines, overhaul lackluster models, and significantly improve gas mileage. Some blasted that their arrogance in the face of serious market share depletion since the 1970s was mind boggling. Instead, they continually spent hundreds of millions to fight mandated progress at the federal and state levels.

Nov 08 - GM, Ford, and Chrysler asked Congress for taxpayer bailout bridge loan to stem succumbing to the global financial crisis caused by Wall Street. All three CEOs arrived at Congress via their own company private jet.

Dec 08 - President Bush grants the big 3 $17.4 billion emergency bailout to be paid mid-January 2009 with the condition that each company submit a viable restructure plan by 31 March 2009.

2009 - GM, Ford, and Chrysler worked on their restructure plans first quarter of 2009.

19 Mar 09 - Obama administration announces plans to lend up to $5 billion to struggling U.S. auto parts suppliers.

30 Mar 09 - GM CEO Rick Wagoner resigns as President Barack Obama unveils tougher terms for federal aid to the domestic automakers.

10 Jun 09 - Italy's Fiat owns of Chrysler, thus, saving it from an 11th hour collapse.

mid-May 09 - Toyota launched 3rd generation 2010 Prius hybrid in Japan.

201x - Moller Skycar becomes a reality.



Visual Car History

1885 - Karl Benz Motorwagen




Ransom Olds Racing Car 1896




Ransom Olds Gas Powered Car 1896




Henry Ford Assembly Line early 1900s



Ford Model T 1908



Ford Model T c. 1927




Victor Wouk builds 1st hybrid 1972.




Vanguard-Sebring CitiCar 1974




GM's hallmark EV1 from 1993-1999.




GM recalled all EV1 cars and crushed them.




Toyota Prius 1997



Tesla Roadster 2009




Toyota Prius 2010

Skycar coming 201X.

We live in the era of the next leap in personal transportation.

Our future is very bright despite our current stinky economy.