Hey there, Mr. Talktoomuch...

I love fashion. And, yes, it was a bit disappointing to see Heather go home from America's Next Top Model. But I also have reservations when it comes to models taking on areas such as music or...say...talk shows with "riveting" social experiments. (Eegads!) That said, Milla Jovovich made her musical foray in the mid-90's and her freshman effort did catch my ear and my eye. (The overall album?....Eh.) I really like this video for The Gentleman Who Fell. The slightly macabre element, the smokey eyes, the Man Ray-ishness of it all. Granted, it does play a bit like a well-done film student's junior project but I love it just the same.

Misfit?

When I was a kid I felt like a misfit a good deal of the time. Sometimes I still do but I have more appreciation for it as an adult. If you've ever felt misunderstood or misunderstood someone else this should resonate. It's all about perspective. Wonderful.

I guess this would be me.

Well, my friends....after much rumination and running around like a lunatic it would appear that I may have "jumped the gun". Sadly, the Etsy shop will have to be shelved until 2008 I'm afraid.

I am a notorious sucker for a deadline and nothing gets me going more than a target date. (Especially if it's yesterday.) So with that in mind, I put my sites on getting things in gear a.s.a.p., you know, to get the ball rolling. As Kristine's husband, Bob, said one time..."All this talking is great and everything, but at some point you have to do." Sage advice...unless you're talking to someone like me.

Let's face it, I tend to function at extremes a good deal of the time. I love things Japanese-simple or Baroque-ornate, country-slow or city-fast, totally controlled or chaotic frenzy, over-thought or why-think-at-all. But I'm working on it....yes, really. I usually chalk it up to the artistic mindset but that can only take one so far. And while I have never been fond of the combination of "starving" and "artist" the melding of "business" and "artist" presents its own challenges when being forced together. But one can learn.

After discussing some of the intricacies of becoming an "Etsian" with, well, other "Etsians" the resounding consultation advised waiting. I'll spare you the details but I clearly need to get my ducks all in a row before taking this plunge. In fact, I realize that I still need some of the ducks! The fact is that I need to exercise restraint and be more prudent and judicious in my decisions...not easy when you're use to using your heart more than your head. (See...I am learning. I hope.)

But there's nothing like a year's end to render contemplation I suppose. So I'll continue with design ideas, product development and further research whilst the clock ticks away to 2008. But, mind you, this cannot become another episode of "analysis paralysis" and "doing" must remain in focus. So I trust that you'll help keep me on track...you know, in case Bob needs a day off.

Heavens to Etsy!

Had a great time at our Thanksgiving potluck last night. (Hope you all had a lovely evening too!) The best part? I think when Max the resident 4-year-old was convinced that my Dad was Santa and my Mom was Mrs. Claus. I told him that I was an elf and he wanted me to help hook him up with a Transformer. I told him that I worked in the wooden toy division but that I'd put in a good word to Elsa who is Senior Executive of the Technological Division. He seemed most pleased. Then he went on to tell me that he wanted to be Spiderman when he grew up. Are you kidding me? Too cute.

So now the holidays are officially underway. And given my elf reference it would seem rather ironic that I will be working in the workshop getting ready for the opening of my Etsy shop next Saturday. I'll start out with a few things but will keep adding new items as often as possible. So I hope you'll stop by and say "How do!" And keep checking back for shop updates!


In the meantime, I hope you're all enjoying some down-time with friends and family. There is one more spot in my Pay-It-Forward exchange so sign-up (read here for details) if you'd like a little somethin' from your Uncle!

"Happy Holidays Everybody!"

Cut yourself some slack...and another piece of pie.

Oh Kids...the holidays are really bearing down now. You know how I know? Because it's really just a question of who arrives first today...my parents or the local Housing Authority. That pressure to have things looking more like they should and less like they do. Honestly, I pat myself on the back that after that observation I am still drinking coffee...and just coffee.

What else let's me know that sleigh bells will soon ring (aside from the fact that they already are at Kohl's)? I give you the infamous Suburban Mall Gangstas. Now somehow someway I find myself living in the tony little community of Bainbridge Island. As the majority of retail outlets are small and local (thankfully), if you wanna get your big box retail groove on you head on down to Silverdale to the Kitsap Mall area. Here are the native hunting grounds of these Mall Gangstas. Amid the wafting scent of Cinnabon, and more silkscreened wolf t-shirts than would seem possible in one location, lurks my nemesis. Really? I mean how old are you? Is that cap being on sideways really more comfortable much less cool? You know you're driving a Dodge Neon right? That belongs to your Mother? Is Rihanna at pitch volume really the image you're trying to project? Suffering through these throngs of overly-waisted-sag-bag pants is almost more than I can bear at this time of year. Thank goodness there is a bar at the Applebee's. On that note....This should help you get through the holidays. While I can't say I would, well, 'strive' to create a tablescape in the exact way that Amy does, it does help me to feel better about what efforts I have made in the end. Takes the edge of those self-imposed Martha standards (Carolanne...don't go into the light!). Given that I'll be up to my eyeballs with the imminent holiday, this may be it for a few days. So please all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Try to be thankful for something....but not those pants.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" "SWAK!" (That's "kiss" in cartoon language.)

Inka, binka, bottle o'ink...

These are some ink sketches that I did. Gee, wonder what I had on the brain? Must be Thanksgiving on my mind. I love the unpredictable line quality that using a brush over a pen gives. That and the richness of the black ink on coffee-stained paper makes me swoon.

Pay It Forward

So here's the 411...I was invited by Anjie at Studio Wellspring to participate in a pay-it-forward exchange project. I will receive some wonderfully handmade gift in the mail with the understanding that I would do the same in return. Seems simple and kind enough, right? So this is what to do...as per the rules that I have agreed to, I will send something handmade in the mail to the first three people who leave a comment on the blog (...keep reading). You must agree, then, to do the same with at least three people in return...pay-it-forward by sending them something that you've made. Now, I was told that you should have a blog to do this but as long as it's all getting paid forward I'm all good. You don't have to copy and forward this to 400 people or risk receiving bad luck for life, no money need be wired to some remote location in Africa to free an unjustly imprisoned prince who's assets have been frozen...all you have to do is leave a comment indicating that you'd like to participate. I will let you know via the "comments" if you've made the cut and then ask you to send an email to unclebeefy@gmail.com with your mailing address. (I wouldn't leave your address in the comment section.) Then, get busy gettin' your craft on while waitin' for Mr. Postman. That's it! What could be a nicer way to get the holidays going?

Daddy? Where do bleeding ears come from?

Well, Billy, oddly enough, I believe it's from the same self-indulgent place that sparked the phrase "Know when to say when."

With I in my kerchief...

My current holiday reading list. Domino & Blueprint magazines just to inspire and get me in that holiday state of mind. (Is there a magazine cessation program of any kind? I'm not ready to quit, mind you...just asking. You know, for when it becomes a problem.) And, of course, David Sedaris' Holidays On Ice. A collection of short stories about all the things that should probably, in theory, make one avoid the holidays altogether. But y'know, you take the good, you, take the bad, you take 'em both and there you have...uh, let's not go down that road right now. Suffice it to say, how one family produced two such hilarious people (David & Amy Sedaris) I am not entirely certain, but I do believe it may have started with a little dysfunction served on the rocks with a side of shag carpeting. Love it!

Best Picture 2007, and then some.

Came from seeing Lars & The Real Girl. Beyond any of my expectations. One of my all time favorite films. Oscar, Oscar, Oscar. If you don't ever see it...you're extremely unfortunate. That's about it really.

This could save the world.

This is from, perhaps, my favorite photographer & cinematographer Mr. Josh Goleman. It's a video of the day his friends Chap & Maura were married. I know I post a fair number of YouTube finds up here however...do not pass up the moment to watch this.

Quite simply, this is love made manifest.

I think, therefore I must be crazy?

(This is a long one...hang in there.)

I meandered by Keri Smith's blog yesterday. I love Keri's blog and her courage and enthusiasm about her creative journey. Her latest entry talked about blogging and her current viewpoints on that very subject (and I really admired her candor and honesty). Oddly enough, the earlier part of my day found me thinking about much of what she brought up. Then my friend Kristine and I had one of our marathon phone sessions and talked about it too. It made me ask myself...why blog? What is the motivation behind it all? What is my motivation?

One of the primary purposes of doing any of this is to share a part of myself. Maybe not all of myself but also not an entirely contrived version of myself either. Blogging can be such a freeing experience and yet riddled with fears of overexposure so some form of self-editing is important...I think. But sometimes blogs can be a little self-defeating and present others' lives in Technicolor...y'know? I may admire Martha but let me just say...I have a ways to go and will not lead you to believe otherwise. But also, let's not beat around the bush and pretend that this is purely philanthropic either, for any blogger would have to be in some denial to believe that ego had nothing to do with the process. And, you know what, that's okay. The ego inspires and creates as much as it can deflate and destroy. All in all, it doesn't have to be one or the other as motivator but, much like life, an ever-changing dualistic percentage.

The topic of advertising is one that I find comes up more and more. Some believe it elevates a blog and makes it more important and bonafide all the way to the idea that it cheapens a blog to the level of a streetwalker saying "I love you". I don't know what your viewpoint is and, in some ways, don't know my own. I think it's the way that individual bloggers approach the subject. Sometimes I feel beaten over the head by solicitation (eew) other times I feel delighted or informed because I was just introduced to someone or something I never knew about before. Blogging can be time consuming and definitely a fair amount of work and I'm not going to begrudge someone for trying to keep the lights on or add a little to their Roth IRA. Will I ever advertise? I don't know. (And not knowing...it's okay.)

Right now I know that I'm enjoying the process. It has become time consuming in a way I hadn't anticipated and, honestly, I'm probably slipping down the slope into Procrastination Valley. But for you, the reader, that may be neither here nor there. Therefore, just so we're clear (for the moment)...what I write or post about is simply an effort to bring a little something to your day. Maybe something to ponder, to be inspired by, to have a laugh, or to learn something new. And, just maybe, to learn a little more about me as a blogger, person, and/or artist/entrepreneur. Take what you want, leave what you don't.

Keri pointed out that sometimes blogging feels like it's become this big popularity contest. And I can't say I disagree. People vying to have their lives oohed and ahhed over. But who am I too judge? I'm an artist and entrepreneur who's trying to find his place in the world. And I'd be a fool to act like it doesn't matter at all to me if people like what I do or not. What matters is that it doesn't become the rule/s by which I measure what or how I create. It always has to come back to me and what feels most genuine. A battle that at times never seems to be entirely won...but I persevere.

Like anything in life blogging has its good and bad sides. Some solicit, some pontificate, some motivate, some impress. But whatever a blogger does it is sharing in some capacity and one is free to relegate just what and how much is divulged. Just as a reader can walk away or sit and stay for awhile. The beauty of blogging is in it's freedom...even if that's a vague term at best.

So for those of you who have already hopped on this eccentric journey with your ol' Uncle Beefy thus far...thanks for your support and readership. For those who may just be joining me...well, hang on. Who really knows what any of us are in for overall? I can tell you this...I'll share things that personally inspire me for whatever reason, artists/crafters/entrepreneurs whose work I admire, my own artistic endeavors and offerings, elements of entrepreneurship, things that might make us a bit more informed, or things that make me laugh and take joy in a moment of life. And I hope you'll buckle up and come along for the cockeyed ride.

Here's to knowing me, knowing you. (See...an ABBA reference already! Oh! You are SO in trouble now!)

Best,
Bradford aka Uncle Beefy

ps - C'mon! You didn't really think I could resist did you?

Pickle you! Kumquat!

Why? Cause it's hilarious? "What the French? Toast!" - Genius!

Not gone to the dogs.

On something of a more serious note...

Some may be aware but it would seem many others are not (myself included) that grapes, raisins, or anything containing said fruit is toxic to our four-legged friends. As few as 7 raisins/grapes could cause renal failure in dogs and even death. For more information just Google it or here is a link to a brief article.

Just a head's up to those with puppy love.

Home, home, on the range...

Back after my lengthy departure. My aunt is now safely back in Nova Scotia and I to my little island. After a week's absence it always takes a bit of adjustment to get back in the swing of things.

My parents consume more CNN than is probably reasonable for good mental health. I mean, knowledge is power, but too much...well you likely see where I'm going. Information is much like health food, it's good for you, yes, but good gravy we all need a little candy delight from time to time! So after hours of being inundated with the ever-declining American economy and dollar (yes folks...Canada will be Christmas shopping in America this year to save money!) I tried to temper things with a bit of "Top Model". I won't even go into the comments from the peanut gallery! It wasn't much of an episode and I found myself drifting back to concerns about the state of Pakistan. Now that I am back home it's more about the state of my garage!

I've utilized the smallest room in my house as a studio of sorts for some time. But silkscreening and carpet cleanliness don't always go hand in hand and are often a precarious relationship at best. So some weeks back I went ballistic on my garage - a two-car-sized structure that has housed many things but none of them being our two cars! I had a pile of rubbish sized just slightly larger than my car (!) hauled away and now am staring down the last of the battle. A good deal of reorganizing and I should be able to carve out the rest of the space for a small studio and resting place for my auto. I'd show you the before pictures but good sense tells me not to until the "after" is in place. Time to get cracking!

Have a grand weekend!

Martha, Martha, Martha!

Well, Halloween is now past us and, despite the signs of bauble trees and blaring carols - already?!!, we are now facing the Thanksgiving showdown. While altogether a reasonably stress free holiday, there are those whose inner divine hostess gets a bit stir crazy at the thoughts of the perfect bird, the mesmerizing tablescape. This should help alleviate the pressure....