The cool and the warm... a dichotomy I know too well. As an urbanite, I enjoy the 'pictures' (pitchers?) you show me from time to time, your living days I'll never go to (the bike trip this summer...sorry, but the irony made me laugh...a lot...outloud)mostly, because I get a nosebleed when I see too many 'eggs for sale' signs or have a panic attack if I'm not within crawling distance of a coffee shop. Left Coast...Right Coast...the 21st Century has made it possible to know without really knowing.

Within each of us, at least every each I have ever met, lies the desire to be noticed. Some have the courage (or stupidity) to express it. Others hide it in some dark closet with other secrets and hope to lose the key. For those of us that enjoy being noticed there is an unstable path, suprising obstacles and numerous pitfalls.
I have always found hollywood types to be boring. Never any personality, never any biting opinions. I don't have much respect for actors.
I have always preferred struggling artistic types. Painters, musicians, writers. Therein lies one of the contradictions of my life. I am what I consider a red republican (look it up if you have a good dictionary). I am completely conservative. But I love artsy types. People that fall into this category are almost ALWAYS of some sort of liberal persuasion. BUT, this has allowed me to do something else I love, HUNT.
Now, now, don't get scared. I only hunt four legged hooved animals. I work for my food. How does this relate to artsy folk? There are few that have real character, I have to find them. Anyone can descibe a rose, or a star. Or a tree with a squirrel on it.
I like people that SEE. This world is stratified.
I believe that most people go through life seeing only the first couple of inches into the water. It's good enough for them. You could say they're not "deep". I like people that hurt their eyes trying to see all the way to the bottom. If they can't see it, they jump in and swim down till their lungs about burst. Just to see everything. Then they tell me about it. Thank you.
I know I don't tell stories well, that is why I read, look and listen. I do demand quality from my artists. If I don't get it, I will smack them around a bit. The work I do requires some artistic talent and I do consider myself an artist. If what I create sucks, I rip it out at my cost. Oh yeah, I LOVE contraversy. Absolutely ADORE it. It is fun. For those of you that want me to shut my mouth, Fuck you.
I am having so much fun.
And falloutsis, I think you are beautiful. keep it up. pitcher you should visit her site and take notes. Of course a woman talking about crying in the shower would be hard for you to top emotionally. But it is a good goal.
John Rensing

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John - Practice the art of humility. It may do you wonders.

In the master/slave dialectic the master becomes subserviant. The sadist becomes masochist. What does the master get from beating down another? Recognition of his power. But the recognition is worthless. A coaxed confession is not admissible in court. Without reaction he becomes powerless, a child pulling on the paintleg of an absent mother. Most children end the tempertantrum post haste. But the sadist keeps on whipping, drawing blood but not tears, as he slowly becomes invisible...

First off, I want to be no one's master. I just like getting people to through out quasi wisdom.
This just keeps getting better. Consider me this websites Al-Queda.
John Rensing.

What makes you think that was directed at you, John?
Jeff, I came to this website on the advice of a friend. She has passed your cds to my girlfriend and I. We came to see a show that you played with Christian a few months ago and really enjoyed it. We're looking forward to hearing your new stuff. Happy holidays and look into filing harassment charges against this John guy. Equating oneself with terrorist organizations in a public forum is a genius idea in this political climate and at the dawn of of internet law!

Ahh, hubris (on my part).
My equating myelf with a terrorist organization was an attempt to rile people up. I kid because I care. pitcher and other visitors to this website sharing his pacifist views should commend themselves on staying the course. Few people lashed out at me in anger. They just typed nice messages asking me to stop, showing me how foolish I look. But I am still here. Looking foolish? I have selective shame. Pacifism doesn't work. I am not suggesting we become fascist, not by any stretch. Some of my first comments here were a reaction to pitchers pacifist drivvle. At first I was hoping to be blocked from posting, and momentarily thought it had happened, just an apparent internet glich. Once again it is getting boring. In the words of our esteemed gov.,( that I didn't vote for) "I'll be back."
John Rensing

and now the air hangs still. the silence is unfamiliar and newborn and fears the next time the dust is kicked up. the bones of the wounded remain. still the shopkeepers and bartenders keep a watch through the blinds. waiting in horror and lust.

"give evil nothing to oppose, and it will disappear by itself."
-lao tzu

Perhaps Lao Tzu quote, Dave.

Beautiful. Sweet. Quiet.