Pure Art...

A few short months have passed since I've been matched up with a 6 year old boy named "Daniel" through the "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" program. It's hard to put into words how my life has changed ...and to describe how fulfilling some of these experiences have been. In fact, I don't really even know where to begin. But today was a really awesome day. So awesome in fact, that I was compelled to share it.

About a week ago while I was picking up Danny at his house, he handed me this coloring he did for me that day. It was such a nice surprise for me that day because I never expected it at all. Perhaps it means that much more to me because I'm an artist myself... which means I rarely receive art, and usually am the one to give it. It amazes me sometimes how such a simple gesture of kindness can mean so much to someone. And so I proudly display it on my fridge now :) I think art that is done by children have such a pure innocence about them. So I think that whenever we see that, it hits us right at our core... and it really is hard not to be moved by it.





When I first saw how Daniel was with his mother, I knew they had a special bond. On the very first day me and Danny hung out, I was dropping him off and slowly driving towards his house... when I noticed his mom had come out to greet us. I noticed this from a distance so I asked Danny "oh look Danny, someone's at your house... who's that?". He replied: "Hey, it's my mom.... Hi Mom!" ... and softly said to me "Isn't she beautiful"? Words can not describe how cute and moving that moment was. He then shocked me even more when he yelled loudly out the window to his mom "Hey Mom, we had fun!". Such moments are priceless :)

So since I knew Danny loved to draw, I had come up with a plan for us to do some Art together. My plan was for Danny to do some artwork for his mom, while I did a drawing for Danny at the same time. Yesterday I finally pulled it off :) I decided that working with Pastel would work the best... since it's such a fun medium to get messy with and it's very tactile. Also, had I asked Danny what his favorite animal was earlier that day... and he said it was a horse. So of course, I ended up drawing him a horse. Anyways, we ended up having an amazing day drawing together... but we also walked around a park and played with RC cars before doing art too. In life there are days that are Good and Bad, but also days that are just simply amazing... the ones that make you feel truly blessed and happy to be alive.

Danny's finished masterpiece for his mom... the kid's got talent!
(probably more than me! :)

A horse drawing for Danny... and yes, I signed it on the back :)

Spiderman Spiderman....

It was around sunset when I was watering my garden the other day when I spotted this beautiful (yes, I think it's beautiful) big spider that had spun a large web across some wildflowers and a small tree. The web was about 2 feet across and the spider was about the size of a quarter. I grabbed my camera from the house and watched it as it finished its amazing web. I was surprised how quick and precise it's movements were. I'm glad I'm not afraid of spiders because I had to put my camera right up close to get these macro shots. I think I almost touched it with the lens a couple of times... but the spider seemed not to notice I was there. It was too busy spinning it's grand masterpiece. I think this is some sort of Orb Weaver Spider... but I'm not sure. Anyways, I hope you enjoy these photos that are just in time for Halloween.

It's a bird, it's a plane.... it's Spiderman? :)

Here are some close-up photos of the wildflowers that
the web was attached to.

Strange and beautiful blue bug

Early this morning I was watering my garden when I spotted this amazingly strange and beautiful blue bug sitting on a leaf on one of my rose bushes. I've never seen a creature like this before, so I ran inside my house and grabbed my trusty Canon S2 camera. If I had to take a guess... I'd say it was some sort of moth species. I was really happy to have caught it on camera before it flew away. I'll have to do some research and see what it is later.

An hour at the Zoo

Last week was sort of the week from hell... I had to work 8 straight days of 12hr graveyard shifts. Half the days were for my regular job and half was done working on a Sci Fi movie shoot called "Project Angel". Anyways, after those 8 crazy days... I had a one day weekend. So for my one day off (Tuesday), I decided to go to the Zoo with my friend, Molly. I hadn't gone to the Rio Grande Zoo for years. The thing was... I was so tired from working my "hell week" and the night before, that I woke up really late! So by the time I got to the Zoo... it was already 4pm. Now, I thought the Zoo was going to be open later than 5pm, but I was wrong. So here is what we saw from our 1 hour run through the Zoo :)

As always, click on the photos for a larger view.

Baby Giraffe... he's only 12 feet instead of like, 20 feet tall

Not so Baby Giraffe. Is it me, or does he look a little...
I dunno... "stoned"?

The "Zebra Parking Lot"... this is where I parked mine
before embarking on our adventures :)
I guess that concrete is part of the natural habitat
for Zebras in Africa... who knew?

Close up of baby Zebra... Awww how cute!

Rare white Rhino... I think this one is the very last one
in existence, so uh... enjoy

"Daniel-san... come, I will teach you the secrets of the
crane style"

"Mister Miyagi... how long do we have to do this for?"

"Daniel-san, ignore Bob the Buzzard... he has a hangover"

"Hey Sam, I think I slept wrong today... my neck hurts"

"Sam! Are you even listening??? Oh God, whats wrong with your knees?
They bend backwards???... Cool!

"munch.. Munch.. munch...."

"chew... chew... Chew..."

"Man! Those are some Hungry, Hungry Hippos !!!" ;)
(sorry folks, I know it's cheesy... but I had to)

I've heard of the term "beaten with an Ugly stick"...
but thought it was a myth, until now. Damn, he ugly!
"Dude, you have something on your face... oh wait, That IS
your face... so sorry!" :)

This little guy was only like a foot tall!
I wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home...
but then I thought "No, I don't want him to
crap in my pockets!... even if the crap was itty bitty"
If there is one thing I've learned in life, it's
that crap in the pockets... Not Fun!!!"

Here is a close-up... but this is pretty much how
big he is in real life. I love his little one inch horns, ha ha!
They're like little toothpicks.... of death! :)

This guy was following us around all day... (I mean for an hour) so I decided
to snap a quick photo... they run free on the grounds.
I wanted to take him home too, but wasn't sure
if peacocks tasted any good... just kidding!

"Who YOU lookin' at?... wanna piece of me"??

"Yeah, that's what I thought buddy.... keep on walkin' !"

Mesa Museum of Natural History... in Arizona

Two weeks ago I was in Phoenix, Arizona... and while I was there, I decided to check out the Natural History Museum in Mesa, AZ. Why??? Well, I'm a big nerd and when I find myself in a Museum, I feel like a kid in a freakin' candy store!!! :) I feel the same about Zoos... if they're nicely done. So, here are some photos I took.... except for the ones of me (which were taken by my good friend, Janel)

Ixora flowers

I bought some more plants and flowers for my house a few days ago to brighten it up. Here are some super tiny flowers called "Ixora Flowers". They were taken on my Canon S2 using Super Macro setting and natural lighting.

Fun Fact:
According to Wikipedia: "Red Ixora flowers are commonly used in Hindu worship, as well as in Indian Folk medicine"

International Auto Show hosted by Motor Trend

Today me and an old buddy of mine went to check out the International Auto Show in Albuquerque. It was the last day of the show... so if you missed it this year, check out the photos below and hopefully it'll make you feel a bit better. There were many beautiful cars at the show, but me and my friend really were most interested in the "Concept Cars"... the experimental designs that will most likely never be mass produced. Car shows like these are usually the only way that you can see these rare cars in real life... before they become just a memory. So here are some photos I took for you to enjoy. They aren't the best quality photos because I took my little Canon Elph... I wasn't even sure they'd let me take photos. But sure enough, they did ...and I did my best :)

Oh, and there was one nice surprise at the show... two motorcycles named after yours truly... The "Duke" and "Super Duke"!

The Nissan GT-R

The Lotus - Exige

Yeah, that's me checking the car out... from the driver's seat.

Buick - Cielo (Concept)

Chrysler - Akino (Concept)

Dodge - Challenger

Ford - Shelby

Ford - Interceptor (Concept)

Dodge - Daytona

Meet "Duke", The Motorcycle :)

Meet "Super Duke", The Super Motorcycle :)

So, I hope you enjoyed this virtual photographic tour of the International Auto Show... Now I'm going to Jet away with my new "Super Duke" Moto. See you later! :)