Roby Duke

It's been over a year since Roby Duke passed on to the other side...found a neat video of him tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Mw8A5B-gs

Rest easy in Jesus' arms brother.

150 Dots - Higher Definition

Today I came across this fabulous quote from painter Chuck Close -

"I discovered about 150 dots is the minimum number of dots to make a specific recognizable person. You can make something that looks like a head, with fewer dots, but you won't be able to give much information about who it is. " - Chuck Close

If you've ever seen Chuck's work in real life you know how truly stunning it can be. To stand 20 meters from a Chuck Close painting will amaze you, but to stand 6 inches from it will drive you to truly ponder the astounding depth of his gifting and how he translates it onto canvas. His work is largely composed of smaller "dots" or other types of minor markings, that at a distance blend into a tapestry of amazing detail and accuracy in representation of his subjects. If you've never stood before one, stop what you are doing immediately and drive to the closest museum that features one to check it out. (and trust me, pictures of his work online just cannot compare to standing before the real deal!)

Anyways, this quote made me immediately ponder each of us and those we encounter in life. How many times we think we truly know someone and yet we don't really know much about them at all. Or vice versa. Sometimes we can grow up in a parent/child relationship and still not know one another, or maybe we do or have lived with a spouse that we don't really intimately know. Sometimes folks we feel are friends are really not as close as we might think. Or others may be far more devoted than we even imagine. Sometimes we can realize that our impressions of people are completely wrong, built on assumptions, past experiences, hopes, fears, expectations (realistic or unrealistic), ignorance, guilt, shame, love, lust, desperation, you name it. We sometimes see each other in less than the 150 dots. Vague, blurry images of one another that we tell ourselves are accurate. Sometimes we choose to distance ourselves from others. The safety in not really being intimately known keeps us from possibly experiencing pain or risking vulnerability. Like a Chuck Close painting, when seen from up close we may not be as attractive as from far away. We may be far rougher and less polished. Less the perfect tapestry that others perceive when they don't know us well.

I have high-definition television at home. It's interesting because I get many of the same channels in both regular television and high-definition. I sometimes like to flip between the two. It's interesting to see the same news anchor in the soft blurry halo of regular TV and then in the crispness of high-def, where every wrinkle, freckle, scar and beauty mark shows. I imagine some of these anchors wish they weren't seen in such detail. We are after all, most of us, interested in some respect as to how others see us. But you know what? I still prefer the high-definition. I prefer seeing the real and the true nature of things, warts and all. I think we all do. Because that's what we relate to.

I think of the "higher-definition" that God must see us in. The omnipotent, omnipresent God, who knows every thought, every heartbeat, every hair on our head. Every tear that we cry. Every wrong we have done. Every good deed we have endeavored to do. He reads our mind, knows our heart, witnesses our deeds and foresees our future. The depth of His knowledge of us is incomprehensible to me. And most amazing of all, yet He chose us before we chose Him.

Have you ever seen the difference in quality of early photographs of the universe from the ones we are capable of taking now? We can now take bright, vibrant, sharp pictures of planets at the edge of our galazy, and we've even recently had our first glimpses of planets in a galaxy outside our own. Compare that to the grainy black and white images of the late fifties in which planets are hardly decipherable. My how far we have come in such a short time! And the more we discover, the more we realize that we do not know.

Now imagine the depths of the one that formed the Universe. How amazing that we understand virtually nothing of His creation, let alone Himself. And to think that one day we will see Him and know Him so much more clearly. How stunning that will be!

Scripture says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. " I Corinthians 13:12

I'm not sure about you, but I'm waiting for a Higher-Definition experience!

Change

Here we are post our recent historic election of the first African-American President in our nation's history. My intention in this post is not to indicate which way I voted, due to the fact that I think each candidate and their respective running mates had pros and cons, and that most intelligent and experienced voters are usually selecting the lesser of two evils in whomever they select. However I think one thing is clear, the public is craving change. Voters that I talk to are largely apathetic. They have heard it all before, they have seen politicians talk one way to get their vote and then do their best to forget whom they are representing once in office. Many people told me that they were not going to vote at all. And although most Americans are in dire financial straits and media projections anticipated one of the highest voter turnouts in modern history, it turned out to really just be a typical election in terms of turnout. And although the numbers appear greatly stacked in the victor's favor due to the electoral college system, in the popular vote it was actually far closer than I think many expected.

I'm sure that you are as concerned as me. Every day the news appears to be getting worse and worse. They are talking about possibly bailing out the car companies now (who have been in trouble for years). Just another casualty in a long line of troubled industries (banks, housing, airline, trucking, fuel, etc.). Every day I hear of another large company closing or greatly reducing it's workforce. I live in California where Arnold Schwarzenegger is raising taxes through the roof on us, and the astonishing thing is people are voting for many of these increases. Unemployment is nearly 10% in my county and home prices have fallen in half over the last few years. We are in the epicenter of the home mortgage crisis with a massive number of foreclosures, which are projected to continue for at least another year. Our country now has a high school dropout rate of approx. 25%. Staggering. We spend more money on education than anyone else and our students are failing at appalling rates. Personal freedoms and privacy's are being removed, restricted or are in jeopardy. Religious freedom may someday become a thing of the past, with Churches relegated to glorified community organizations. I keep hearing how crime is supposedly going down, but it seems like every week now I hear horrific stories that we have now become so accustomed to hearing that nothing shocks us anymore. This great nation is a shadow of it's former self.

So I look to my television screen and see a man who appears to be interested in bringing us all change. I see throngs of people crying their eyes out and believing that he will surely save us from ourselves. I hope they are right. However I know the problems that we are entrenched in are far too deep for a great orator to rescue us from. Will there be substance to the change he promises? Will he bring us more than simply inspiring speeches? Lord knows we have had far too many years of politicians that could sweet talk us. Like the thrice-divorced woman who has repeatedly picked lousy men to wed, we have matured and know what we need in a President (man). We need real change. Regardless of political affiliation, please join me in prayer that it will come.

Free Dr. Pepper for every man woman and child!

I like a company with style and class! Evidently Dr. Pepper was so skeptical of the long-awaited Guns and Roses album ever coming out that they promised a free Dr. Pepper to every man woman and child in this country if it came out before the end of 2008. Well it looks like the album will drop on November 23rd, and Dr. Pepper is stepping up to the plate and fulfilling it's promise. Very cool! A soft drink company with style and integrity! Too cool!

Now I feel even better about my addiction to it. So when you see me on TV one day in Dr. Pepper rehab you will know that at least I chose the drink of a truly top-notch outfit. You go with your bad self Dr. Pepper!!!!!!

http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/10/22/guns-n-roses-bring-a-free-dr-pepper-to-all-americans-heres-how-to-get-yours/

The Five Most Important People In Your Life

Who are or have been the five most important people in your life? Take a moment and think about it. If you had a serious issue to deal with, who would you go to? Who's opinion would you respect and trust? Who could you trust to hold your deepest thoughts and emotions in confidence? Who would love you enough to firmly challenge you if they felt you were wrong? Who inspires you to achieve something fantastic and amazing with your life? Who makes you believe that you can achieve it? Who makes you feel truly loved? Who astonishes you with their concern and care for others above themselves? Who do you know that is truly courageous? What person that you know fights for what they believe in? Who inspired you as a child to believe in yourself? Who stuck with you when others walked away? Who recognized a greatness in you long before anyone else noticed it? Who always chooses to see the good in you no matter what? Who listens to you? Who cares about what you have to say? Who do you know that stands out from the crowd in a good way? Who do you admire? Who do you know that unites people instead of divides them? Who do you know that solves problems unlike anyone else? Who has allowed you the opportunity to fail over and over? Who gave you a chance when no one else would? Who sticks up for you? Who do you look at and pray that the good Lord would make you just half of the person they are?

Sometimes a significant person in someone that showed you how NOT to live your life. Who do you know that lets you down repeatedly? Who can you never trust? Who seems to be squandering their lives or talents? Who is constantly negative? Who always sees or assumes the worst in you or others? Who is always trying to get money from those around them? Who is always requiring of you but never giving back? Who has ruined their Christian witness? Who would rather avoid a conflict than deal with it properly? Who manipulates others with guilt or fear? Who has no empathy for others? Who is ungrateful? Who is hateful or unforgiving? Who will tell your deepest confidences to anyone and everyone? Who gossips? Who tears people down instead of building them up? Who is full of pride and arrogance? Who do you want to be the exact opposite of?

I'm sure no one person is all of these things for you. But it makes us think about those individuals that have had the most impact on our lives. Those that have really helped shape who we have become. So now here's the big question...who would say that YOU are one of their five greatest influences? And would you be one of the good influences or bad ones?

I remember Billy Graham being asked one time that if he could do anything over what would he have done, and he replied that instead of trying to impact large numbers of people as a whole, he would probably just pour himself into 5 people a year. Just REALLY pour his influence into them. And those 5 would each touch 5 each year, and each of those 5 each touch 5 each year, etc. etc. It's exponential, but it's a deep ministering to others.

It seems to me that we are living in an increasingly superficial culture. There are alot of reasons for this, but I want to encourage you to give this question of influence some thought and think about the legacy that you want to leave. Once you decide the person you want to become, then formulate a plan on how to get there.

In my band we have a regular prayer, that we desire significance over prominence. Although it appears grand, prominence is fleeting and superficial. Significance however, remains long after we have left this world. Seek significance.

Beauty In Diversity

A Musicians’ Look at the Body of Christ

I can remember being hit with sort of mini-revelation one weekend a few years ago. I was playing lead guitar with a worship band at a very conservative Church from a conservative denomination. A day or so before my own band had just played an outreach in a very bad part of town with a Church of tattooed bikers in leather and metal studs, playing largely to a crowd heavily impacted by the drug culture. And a couple days before that I had played in a very “contemporary” type worship service at my own Church with a very “seeker-sensitive” vibe. Three very different type of events, different crowds and congregations, purposes, and styles of music. So what did they all have in common? Jesus Christ. As I stood on stage getting ready to begin the worship set, I felt the Lord impressioning me with thoughts of just how much He loves the multi-faceted body of Christ, and how He chooses to use different ways to reach them. I also felt honored to be allowed to take part in each type of event and to be used in different ways.

In my band (The Steve Riddle Band), we are blessed to play about 50 percent Christian events and 50 percent secular events. And of the events we play they can vary greatly, everything from a secular blues club such as BB King’s in Hollywood, to a prison outreach with the Billy Graham Crusade, or leading worship in the local Church. Our attitude has always been to follow God’s lead into whatever opportunity He presents us (I have only had to turn down a couple situations where to play in certain environments would clearly have been to compromise significantly). We feel that in every one of these different types of events God has had us there to minister to some group of people in a different way.

I’m also reminded of an event back when two of my grandparents were still alive. They had just recently moved to California and were looking for a new Church. They came to my home Church and experienced their first taste of what I call a “contemporary seeker-sensitive” Church (although that’s very broad). The congregation was into it, everyone was involved in worship and coming forward for prayer and altar calls, etc. Afterwards I asked them what they thought of it. They both agreed that the music was way too loud, that there was way too much time spent on the music and not enough on the reading of scripture, and that everyone dressed way to casual. Months later they found a Church home in a denomination that they were familiar with. As I attended their Church as a guest it was apparent to me just how much my “style” of Church had changed over the years as I found many of the traditions I grew up with seemed to now be lacking to me. And that’s ok. But their Church was perfect for them. I felt that God had showed me through my grandparents just how necessary it was for the body of Christ to be so diverse. Each of us needed a different environment to flourish in as we worshipped and grew in the Word and in fellowship with other Christians.

So in conclusion I would just like to encourage you, wherever the Lord has you at the moment, and in whatever manner He is using you, to trust that your situation has been perfectly designed for you and your talents alone at this particular time of your life. Instead of worrying about worship wars concerning style of music, etc. let’s focus on the one we worship.

Chinamerican Idol

I was so disgusted by seeing this article today. I am including it here with my commentary below:

From John Vause CNN

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- A little girl and her song captivated millions of viewers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. But what they saw was not what they heard.

Yang Peiyi's voice was heard during Friday's opening ceremony, but her face was never seen.

Games organizers confirm that Lin Miaoke, who performed "Ode to the Motherland" as China's flag was paraded Friday into Beijing's National Stadium, was not singing at all. Lin was lip-syncing to the sound of another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, who was heard but not seen, apparently because she was deemed not cute enough. "The reason was for the national interest," said Chen Qigang, the ceremony's musical director, in a state radio interview. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. ... Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects." The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.
"We had to do it," he said. "We'd been through several inspections. They're all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change."
Few who watched the Olympic ceremony realized the deception. "Tiny singer wins heart of nation," read the headline in Tuesday's China Daily newspaper. "Lin Miaoke might be only 9 years old but she is well on her way to becoming a star, thanks to her heartwarming performance," the article gushed -- without mentioning she never sang a note.
But as word has gotten out on the Internet, some Chinese bloggers are outraged.
"If you're not good-looking, no matter how well you sing, you'll not be onstage. Do you know you're twisting a whole generation?" read one comment. Another said, "If foreigners found out, they'd think we can't even find a girl who is good at both."
As for Yang Peiyi, she's been quoted as saying she was honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony, even though few realized just how big her part really was.


We all know how so many other countries are notorious for exploitation of women and children. China being no exception. So it shouldn't be surprising that this is another example of that. I guess the saddest part to me is that they would use her voice and prop this other girl up as the supposed singer in an Olympic competition. In effect making her the Milli Vanilli of the Olympics. That's fine if you are American Idol crafting the next pop wonderkind, but isn't there supposed to be something genuine about the Olympics? Isn't that why we test for steroids and performance enhancing drugs? Don't we teach kids that if they work hard they can end up on the Wheaties box? Now they are given the idea that if they don't look the part then they just don't measure up. Next time you go to the Opera try to see how many of those amazing voices are coming out of supermodels. Not many. In a world where we need to be encouraging the next generation of young men and women these leaders are ruining them. I'm glad CNN ran this story. Bring some shame to these people for their careless attitudes of who this girl is and should be. Is the Olympics genuine? Nope. I guess it's like everything else.

What Will It Cost?

When you decide to live radically for Christ there will be people who will be upset, no doubt.

In the Book of Acts, Chapter 16, a story is told of a young girl possessed with an evil spirit. A spirit which evidently helped her to see the future (a psychic of sorts). Older men were taking advantage of this and using her to make themselves very wealthy by marketing her and her painful affliction for gain within the community. So the disciple Paul casts the demon out of her. The reaction of her (let's just call them "pimps" for the sake of the closest modern day comparison) pimps is ugly as you can see:

Act 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
Act 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].
Act 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast [them] into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

So they beat the tar out of Paul and Silas for helping the poor girl and jail them. Every good deed won't go unpunished as they say. Have you ever encountered unfair treatment for your faith? I have. Many times. It is not unusual at all. You are swimming upstream in a world that wants to pound you into conformity with it's desires. Never lose heart in doing good. Remember Jesus's words:


Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Picasso...

I'm pretty fond of most of Picasso's work. But I think what I love most are some of his quotes, which can be pretty amusing at times...



God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant, and the cat. He has no real style. He just keeps on trying other things.

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.

My mother said to me, "If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope." Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.

Never permit a dichotomy to rule your life, a dichotomy in which you hate what you do so you can have pleasure in your spare time. Look for a situation in which your work will give you as much happiness as your spare time.

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.

Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.

Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility.

The people who make art their business are mostly imposters.

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.

The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?

Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.

More Great Quotes...

I know these are not all Christian sources but there is great wisdom in these quotations nonetheless:


To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
-- Abraham Lincoln

Every saint has a past and every sinner a future.
-- Oscar Wilde

Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer and philosopher (1803-1882)

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet (1807-1882)

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.
-- Japanese proverb

I believe that the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own powers. But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.
-- John Ruskin, author, art critic, and social reformer (1819-1900)

It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.
-- Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

The higher we soar the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.
-- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
-- Kahlil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist (1883-1931)

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
-- Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784)

If you believe the doctors, nothing is wholesome; if you believe the theologians, nothing is innocent; if you believe the military, nothing is safe.
-- Lord Salisbury, British prime minister(1830-1903)

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
-- Leonardo da Vinci

There is no one, no matter how wise he is, who has not in his youth said things or done things that are so unpleasant to recall in later life that he would expunge them entirely from his memory if that were possible.
-- Marcel Proust, novelist (1871-1922)

The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.
-- Plato, philosopher (427-347 BCE)

Talent is formed in solitude, character in the bustle of the world.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.
-- Louis Nizer, lawyer (1902-1994)

It is always the secure who are humble.
-- G.K. Chesterton, essayist and novelist (1874-1936)

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
-- Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)

A person usually has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason.
-- Thomas Carlyle, historian and essayist (1795-1881)

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
-- George Santayana, philosopher (1863-1952)

Once upon a time a man whose ax was missing suspected his neighbor's son. The boy walked like a thief, looked like a thief, and spoke like a thief. But the man found his ax while digging in the valley, and the next time he saw his neighbor's son, the boy walked, looked and spoke like any other child.
-- Lao-tzu, philosopher (6th century BCE)

You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
-- Anne Lamott, writer (1954- )

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.
-- Abraham Lincoln, 16th US president (1809-1865)

It does not require many words to speak the truth.
-- Chief Joseph, native American leader (1840-1904)

Lying is done with words and also with silence.
-- Adrienne Rich, writer and teacher (1929- )

I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies.
-- Pietro Aretino, satirist and dramatist (1492-1556)

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
-- Abraham Joshua Heschel, theology professor (1907-1972)

Beauty, unaccompanied by virtue, is as a flower without perfume.
-- French proverb

A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.
-- Chinese proverb

True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.
-- Louis Nizer, lawyer (1902-1994)

Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.
-- Japanese proverb

Men of genius are often dull and inert in society, as a blazing meteor when it descends to earth, is only a stone.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels? We make tools for these kinds of people. While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
-- Carl Sagan, astronomer and author (1934-1996)

Crazy Gas Prices - Energy Plans for the Future

We all know that gas prices are insane. Our dependence on foreign oil is a nightmare that we need to work our way out of. To give you some food for thought here's a great website from a Texas Billionaire and former oil man with some ideas on how we can get the job done.

http://www.pickensplan.com

See what you think.

Attitude - My Favorite Quote

I think Chuck Swindoll had what is probably my favorite quote of all time.

Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. - Chuck Swindoll

How Clever...

One of my favorite quotes...and something just way too true...

"There's such a thin line between clever and stupid isn't there?" - Nigel Tufnel

Christian Tough Guys

I was looking through this Christian Music magazine that I get sent in the mail sometimes. A pretty cool magazine (I'll leave it nameless for the sake of this post). But anyways it's usually filled with these Christian metal bands. And I don't know why it just struck me as funny that you see all of these pictures of these guys trying to look so dang tough. It's like I was trying to imagine them having Jesus pose for the magazine cover and Him saying to them, "Hey guys, make sure I look like a badass!". Yeah right. Somehow I think he'd pass on that photoshoot...

The Responsibility of Our Giftings

I know that many of the fans of the music I write are also musicians themselves. And as such I think one of the most important things that we can do for each other is to encourage each other with our own unique visions. This is so essential. There is probably no more difficult path you could choose in life than to put in all the hard work essential to developing your artistic vision, which is largely done at your own expense of time and money, and then all the work of promoting it, paying your dues, etc. And even at the end of all of this there is no guarantee that anyone will appreciate or embrace your vision, regardless of how groundbreaking, unique, truthful, or powerful it may be. But that's a topic for another time...

My point here hinges around a comment that someone made to me today. As my new exterminator showed up at my house to help me wage war against the pests in my neighborhood, his first comment when he walked in the door upon noticing the paintings on the walls and an easel in my foyer, was "Are these your paintings? I wish I had a talent like that. The only talent I have is to kill bugs." It's a comment that I get often from visitors (not the killing bugs part), but my point here is not to point out my painting ability. Artists out there please pay attention. Here is a man showing up to do a job, completely unrelated to any artistic works that he may encounter. But he notices them. Why does he notice them? Why would he even be looking for them?

Before I make my point let me tell you about two other conversations I remember having. One was with a friend of mine in construction. He knows that I am a musician and have a band, etc. etc. I remember talking with him one time about his brother. A guitar player. How his brother has always kept his music as a passion in his life. How he always took jobs that allowed him time to practice and improve at his instrument and to play in bands, etc. As we wrapped the conversation up he mentioned how he would have loved to have the talent that his brother has.

Ok, here's the other story. In producing my last CD I had many wonderful conversations with our fantastic engineer. A performer and bandleader himself, we had some great conversations that I think we both really connected on. And he said something to me that really sticks with me. He said "You know most people would give ANYTHING just to be able to be up on stage. To play a song in front of people. To have people enjoy it." Isn't he right? To quote Jeff Tweedy quoting someone else (forgive me I can't remember who) he said that "People go to a concert to see someone believe in themself".

And as artists we can get so numb to it sometimes. Because we are always looking down the road. Anticipating what our next fully developed vision will look like. So when we play that song that we've played a million times before even WE get tired of it. And that's when the magic of music stops.

So I go back to my original question...Did he show up looking for artwork to take in? Did he anticipate anything speaking to him? No. But it happens because of the power of art. That's where the magic lies. There is no perfect formula for it. You cannot anticipate how a human being will interact with it. It just happens or it doesn't. It's magic.

One of the things that tyrannical regimes do when they take control of a country is make sure that they destroy literature, musical instruments and other tools of expression. Because they know that when the hearts of men and women are moved by them powerful things can happen. Remember David's guitar playing soothing Saul? The guy that was out to get him! Art can even impact your enemies.

So for all you artists that are out there reading this. Be encouraged. Your talent DOES speak to people. More than you probably know. And the next time you paint that picture, strum that guitar, dance across the stage, pen that poem or complete that novel, remember that you have been gifted and blessed. And that there are people out there wishing they had maybe just a portion of your gifting. Knowing full well that if they did, and what it is really worth, they would make the most of it. Whole-heartedly.

Hands Free....

Ok, first off let me say that this is the start of my first "real" blog. I'm known to rant through the band newsletters, but from now on I'll try to limit the REAL madness to this place....

So I live in California. As you know, most ideas. good and bad usually originate from the West Coast and migrate East. So you have us to thank and blame for quite alot. Our newest stroke of genius is the "Hands Free" cell phone ban for drivers which recently kicked into effect. The concept sounds good, get cell phones out of the hands of distracted drivers, thereby improving highway safety, saving lives of countless citizens and bringing praise and honor to our glorious leaders that we have elected (or picked as the worst of all evils since you know we never have too much to choose from) and who are saving us from ourselves with their infinite wisdom. The problem is once again they seem to have just enough intelligence to be dangerous. Can you believe that the braniacs instituted a law in which you are banned from talking on your cell phone unless you have a hands-free bluetooth device, yet you can still legally TEXT MESSAGE! There is NOTHING more dangerous than text messaging while driving! And this is further confused by the fact that the studies that were done showed clearly that drivers were more dangerous not because they had a cell phone in their hand, but because they were distracted in conversation period. Therefore blue tooth devices are no safer than hand held setups. So we have politicians passing more ridiculous laws, unsupported by the studies that were done, and imposed on a public that they seem to have less interest in educating (remember this is the state that has now removed driver training from high schools, and also wants to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens).

I would like to know how much lobbying was done by the manufacturers of cell phone and bluetooth equipment to pull this one off. I smell a rat, and I figure it's lining the pockets of these fat cats in Sacramento.

I heard recently of a comedian that posted a clip on the internet of him driving "hands free". Evidently doing all sorts of things that were dangerous to prove the ridiculous point of this law. I haven't seen it but I love the concept. Since this law came into affect I was thinking of some other distracting and dangerous elements that we should initiate legislation for. So enjoy my list and let's get a petition going....

Children - these are VERY distracting. I have some myself. Always talking to you, asking questions, dropping things, needing to stop and go to the bathroom. I think they need to be banned from vehicles. Not sure how they will get around, but I'm sure that the legislature will figure that if they are forced to walk it will also help cut down on the childhood obesity epidemic and kill 2 birds with one stone.

Pets - that cute little ball of fur in your lap is more of a hinderance than an asset on the road. I don't care if it does fit in your purse. People thinking you two look cute together shopping at the mall is not worth the death machine you both create on the interstate. Let's leave the little fleabag in the kennel and go it solo by making them illegal.

Food - Sure. Breakfast bars sound great. A dinner on the run. But wait until you stuffing your face with this thing makes you take out a family of five on Route 66. Let's leave food where it belongs. Off our streets.

Makeup, shaving devices, and other assorted grooming materials - The only thing you are doing here is saving the mortician the work of prettying you up after the 12 car pile-up. Ban it!

Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Spouses, "Life-Partners", friends, relatives and significant others - Again, much yapping and danger going on here. The cars of the future should seat no more than one person at a time. C'mon automakers, maybe you can improve our gas mileage if we get out of the car! Let's hear it for no more passengers!

Radios - isn't this obvious? Maybe it's time they go the way of the dinosaur. Bring on the silence for safety's sake!

Air conditioning and heating - you can't tell me that fiddling with those temperatures and vents is a good idea in rush-hour traffic. Let's ban these distractions and instead encourage people to dress appropriately for the climate conditions. Ban it!

I could go on and on, but I'm not going to do the work for you. So get out there. Organize! Let's work together to see a safer tomorrow!