Lucky Uncle

PHOTO BY CARYL LYONS.

Yes, kids, that means you! Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to read through, comment on, and email me about, my last post! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the time you all took to go through it - 'cause lord knows your uncle can get wordy - and then write down your thoughts! (If y'all were lookin' for some extra karma points, I'm sure you racked up a few at the very least.)

While I'm recovering from a cold [insert sympathy "Awww!" and virtual chicken soup here], I have lots to think about and consider and I'm so grateful to have your feedback. A redesign? Seems probable. "Kids"? Sounds like that is here to stay! The 'scripty' font? I'm either going to find another place to utilize it or ditch it altogether, but no more posts to read in that one. Too much time to format, too hard to write anything substantial, and too hard to read for a lot of you. Done! More original content? I'm a plottin' and a plannin' for that one. Ads? If they're a good fit, then yes. A shop? I need to put all of my art-making and printmaking training to use somehow don't I? So, as you can see, a lot of things to mull, plan, design, launch... in due time.

Thanks again for all of your support and thoughtful observations, kids! Means a lot.

p.s. - Did you see? I'm in the latest issue of RUE!

Easy Like Monday Mornin'

It's the early hours of the morning and the light has begun to break. (What a relief to have daylight coming earlier each day!) I took the dog outside, cup o' tea in hand, and stood in the wake of the world's rise. Fergus bopping around taking in the scent of the air while looking most official in his morning rounds. A crow passes overhead without a sound except for the unusually pronounced "woosh... woosh" with each flap of its wings. It's cold and crisp, it's Monday, and I'm feeling easy. I have a lot on my mind these days and yet, for the first time I can recall, I don't feel frenetic. There seems to be a calm and collected sensibility that has settled in and I'm most grateful for however long it chooses to visit.

On a very personal note, I am facing the failing health of my mother who is experiencing increasing moments of memory loss. That alone is difficult to face for a whole host of reasons that you can likely imagine, but she also refuses any attempts to get her to seek proper medical attention which has my family facing some seriously difficult decisions. However, in spite of these painful realizations, I'm finding myself much more willing to savour the present over stressing over the future. Conversations that I had with her previously which could be done while answering emails, cleaning, or other assorted forms of the much overrated "art" of multi-tasking, have now been replaced with a quiet room and an attentive ear. She could repeat the same story ten times in two hours and I'm now in a place to feel joy and gratitude to hear her voice and gifted that she still knows who I am. This is delivered grace for which I am immensely grateful.

On a more practical side of things, after coming back from Alt Summit, all sorts of thoughts have been swirling around my head concerning "The Bedlam". I've been mulling over ideas of a redesign, putting together an editorial schedule vs. spontaneous postings, producing more original content, starting a small online shop, work/blog/life balance, advertising, etc. This leads me to a couple of things I'd like to address.

First, let's just get this one out of the way, shall we? Advertising. There, I said it. It kinda makes people want to take a long shower when they hear it, and, yes, I'm experimenting with it. I know this can be a somewhat controversial topic in the blogosphere so I didn't want to just start throwing up ads without some kind of conversation about it with you.

I know there are many who consider it more noble to have an "ad free" blog. But, anymore, that feels an awful lot like the "nobility of the starving artist" diatribes I'd hear in art school. Is it really any more noble to spend the bulk of your time being a waiter/banker/real estate agent/etc. in an effort to scratch some time out to be an artist, than it is to make a line of your own stationery to help fund your artistic pursuits? It seemed most want/ed to consider the latter selling out. But, I see the former as much more inclined to sell your soul. And, that is a much more egregious offense in my mind. All in all, I think a good many of us can find it extremely difficult to place any kind of monetary value on anything that we enjoy doing or are considered talented at when we do it. So, in an effort to avoid the discomfort, there are many who will dismiss taking those steps by deciding to attach a greater value in the sacrifice of taking nothing. It's classic "people pleaser" and I'm working to shed that skin.

Now, that said, this is an experiment and I have it on good authority that it ain't gonna have you calling me "Daddy Warbucks" anytime soon. Not by a long shot! But, if it rewards me with enough to buy the ingredients to share a recipe with you or, let's face it, enjoy a little cocktail? Cool beans! It's one way to say to myself and the universe around me, "Cheers! I'm worth it!" But, it also doesn't have to mean that I'm going to sell us all down the river for a bag o' chips either. I think that's the "ick" side of advertising that we all dread and I'm not interested in having us swim through that sludge. Auto parts ad? Yeah, I don't think so. An eco-friendly line of handmade clothing ad? Awesomesauce! Diamond importer? Have you even looked at my blog?! A little kickback from Amazon or Chronicle on the sale of a cookbook that I have and think is rockin' and, thus, recommended? Thanks! Are ya' feelin' my flow? I'd like to think that I've got a good head on my shoulders with the concept of advertising and I want to have both of our backs on this one. So let me know your concerns should they ever come up. Deal?

Secondly, speaking of your thoughts and concerns, last week I received a comment from a reader. It was a pretty harsh and judgmental one and took me back for sure. But, despite the glaring lack of graciousness in its delivery, there was what could have been some constructive criticism. Basically, this person hates the way and the frequency with which I say "kids". Now, in my day to day dialogues this is par for the course and you'd just have to deal. But, I don't write this blog in a vacuum and things that work in the course of face-to-face conversation may not read well in the written word. Thinking about this, for some "kids" may come across as jovial and welcoming, while others may find it condescending or schticky. So, while we're at it, what do you think? "Kids"? Love it or leave it?

And, while we're on the topic of your thoughts, do you have any other opinions you might like to share about "The Bedlam"? What you like and don't like? What you wish there was more of and less of? I'm totally open to hearing your input and constructive criticisms. And, while I'm all for honesty, "brutal" honesty can be left at the door. I'm gonna side with Mary Poppins on the whole 'sugar helping the medicine go down' theory. So, feel free to be open while remembering it isn't open season on your uncle. (And, if it makes it feel easier, you are welcome to leave your comments anonymously.)

I'll be happy to take into account all of your feedback and we'll see what happy medium that might leave us with. Whatever that is it's going to have to remain authentic for me while engaging for you. It's kinda like any good party. It can't be all about the host and it can't be all about the guest, but if each is thoughtfully considered then they can all have a great time.

Thanks for sharing... kids! (Eh, one last hurrah! Maybe.)

(Oh, and if you'd rather, you can also feel free to email me at unclebeefy@gmail.com.)

Happy New Year!

Cheers, Kids!

Photo by your Uncle Beefy.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

My vanilla yellow cake with fresh raspberry buttercream.

Checking In

(Thanks for hangin' in there with me, Kids! I mean that most sincerely.)

Blank Slate

So, y'know how I took some time off a few weeks ago? Just wasn't feelin' it? Well, there have been some aspects of my life weighing heavily on me as of late. Don't worry... I'm past the "pity party" stage at this point, Kids, so you should be fine. But, I've felt restless, anxious, and, as is typical with me, worried. About career, money, family, aging parents, health, etc., etc.

All of this has me looking at things a bit differently. Trying to come at things with fresh eyes or fresh perspectives. I don't know. It just has me thinking more about what's important and that this life we're given is all too short and fleeting. Not in a morbid way but in that, "What the hell am I doing?!!" kinda way. Do you know what I mean? It has me thinking more deeply about the choices I'm making for myself and what I'd like to see be a part of my life... or not a part of my life. People, places, things, jobs, food, home... (again) etc., etc. It has me thinking about authenticity.

Okay, y'all know I love me the blogosphere. It can be a fabulous place full of fabulous people. But, as I will find the topic of conversation when I get amongst a gaggle of bloggers, it can really work a number on your sense of self. Everything can appear so polished and so put together that you leave a plate in the sink and suddenly you're feeling a little "less than". I mean, ultimately we make those choices but it does make me consider part of the artifice that can become all too tempting when blogging. And, I kinda wanna bust through that a bit here.

Kids, I really try and keep things on the positive and clean side here at The Bedlam and, lord knows, I clearly love me some pretty, pretty a good portion of the time. But, behind the scenes, I'm working with popcorn ceilings and a serious potty-mouth. Don't get me wrong... I for one appreciate the art of editing. And, believe me, right now you do too. Trust me. But I'm also sensing a personal need to be a bit more forthcoming.

I sit here for hours every single day sifting through emails, phone calls, blog posts, websites... working to bring together a post or two for your perusing enjoyment. Afterward, I'll usually guzzle some kind of lunch, head off to work, come home, late dinner, hour of some TV, sleep... repeat. Meanwhile, I'm scraping together the means to pay bills and wishing I had "that house", "that job", "that life". The reality is I'd probably spend a little less time wishing if I spent a little more time doing. I say that but don't really know what "doing" would mean...??? But I'd really like to find out.

Y'see that photo up above? A bunch of blank pages surrounded by a cacophony of clutter? That's pretty much a visual metaphor for your Uncle. I have tried on SO many hats in my life but still find myself a blank slate. Part of that comes from spending too much time being a beefy-of-all-trades-master-of-none, part from your everyday creative a.d.d., and part from spending way too much time trying to be what you think will make you rich, popular, praised, and/or liked (preferably a full-meal-deal combo). But enough with all of that I say! I mean, I'd be lying if I said I was completely beyond the aforementioned temptations but I am tired of them. I'm tired of a lot of things, frankly. And now I want to do something about them.

What does that mean exactly? Hell if I know?!! But I will, for now, be spending a bit less time blogging and a bit more time doing, well, something. No lofty plans at the moment and no high-horse pontifications to brow beat you with, Kids. Just a guy who's looking to be a little more himself and needing to make a little more time to figure that out. But the top hat stays!

I'll see ya' around, Kids.

p.s. - Kids... to clarify... I'll still be blogging just not as much for a while. That's all. Okay? I ain't takin' the saddle off the horse just yet! So stick around.. ya' here?

Attention, attention!

Eh, Kids... so it looks like Blogger got all up in my bidness and decided to reformat some of their publishing tools. So your Uncle has been spending the morning trying to figure out how to upload photos with the new system. I think I may have it figured out but, suffice it to say, it ain't an improvement on the previous system! [insert wagging finger here] I will tell you what!

So now I gotta reformat my own game plan with doing posts, and the morning is getting away from me, and I'm trying to figure out a way to fulfill a cupcake request for this Saturday, and I gotta try to look like something other than a homeless person before going to work! See, Kids... and you thought being a celebrity was glamorous? Quite the contrary! ;)

You'll see me pop back up whenever I get all this flim-flam figured out!

[insert pouting face with excessively furrowed brow here]


UPDATE: My sweet Miss Jane has come to save the day!
THANKS, Jane!

So, now I'll be back again tomorrow for sure! Hi, ho, hi, ho... it's off to work I go!

Yeah... it's Tuesday.

Don't let that picture fool you... it ain't that "Springy" here.

Baby Got Bundt

Outta Light, Outta Mind

Hi, Kids!  Okay, so here's the 411 tip...  we had a big ole wind storm here today and power is down all around. Because of the number of outages I can't be sure how long it will be before your ole Uncle Beefy gets turned on again.  That's the electricity, people!  Honestly, y'all are terrible!  So if I seem to be absent, yet again, tomorrow... you'll understand?

Oh yeah, just in case then... HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Story of My Life

Flaky... but sweet!

Happy Weekending, Kids!

Photo by your Uncle. 

Good Friday morning, Kids!  So before I get swept off to work I just wanted to wish all y'all a very happy weekend!  I know things were a bit hit and miss this week so thanks for being patient.  I am working on a few projects behind the scenes (which may add a bit of "hit n' miss" to next week as well) but I hope to share some of the scoop with you in the near future.

And, while I've got you here I just want to say "Thanks!" for stopping by the Bedlam and following along.  It really means a great deal that you choose to spend a little of your time with me. Be well, Kids!

HAPPY WEEKENDING!

"Yo, Homies!"

Kids, if there is one thing that we both share in common and that brought us closer together in 2009 it's the extreme love of, well, ME!  (Okay, it probably had more to do with cupcakes, or design, or fashion... but I digress!)

So, Miss Tula, of fabtastic Whorange fame, tipped me off that Apartment Therapy's 2009 Homies nominations were underway and that I had gotten a few votes placed in my direction! (I know! You're all, "Why don't they just give Uncle Beefy the top honors already?!! DUH!" But there are processes in life, Kids. And we want everyone to have a "fair" shot, don't we?  Now where to put that trophy?  Ooh!  Sorry, where was I?) Anywhoozles!  Would I love ya' if you stuffed a vote or 50 in my ballot box?  I bet I could muster up some human feelings of warmth and affection, sure!  Why not?!!

So why don'tcha head on over and do us both a favor?  Huh?  Time's running short (deadline is the 29th)!  You'd really help make my year if ya' did!  Or, if you're too busy to show me just a small token of your affection, then we'll just chalk things up and accept the dismal beginnings of my 2010.  You just do what you feel is best, Kids.  I understand.  [Uncle Beefy sighs and looks forlornly off into the distance. One tear streams slowly down his unbelievably handsome cheek.]

Sacre Boeuf!

Hi, Kids. Okay, so couldn't get logged in to blogger yesterday which derailed getting any posts done. And, more important, our friends Jeff & Kathleen are visiting from Paris for a few days. So instead of giving y'all hours of delight with my endlessly fascinating insights and scathing wit, I'm gonna have to give what I got to my peeps. Y'feel me?

Blogging will commence on Friday morning. Yes, just before the weekend! Look I am doing the best I can! Jeesh! Y'all get so greedy. ;) Happy Tuesday!

Back in [not so much] action!

Kids, sorry for triggering any abandonment issues. After tearing up the town with some Texans (more about that later) I tweaked my back out and so have been laid up. Needless to say, not sitting for hours reading and writing and blogging. I'm on the mend though and will get back in the saddle soon. Three cheers to feelin' geriatric! Ugh.

Nice pants, dude.

True(ly), Mad(ly), Deep(ly)

Did you think I was ever coming back, Kids? I know it was a long absence but I guess it was needed. The holidays came and went without feeling particularly holiday-ish. Quiet and contemplative into 2009. And here we are now...game on! 

Ugh! Doesn't that smack of cliche? "Game on!"? Like the New Year is something to tackle like a football player or a bridesmaid going for the bouquet. I, like most others, typically rally at the end of the holidays and fuel the fires of all that is to be in the upcoming turn of the calendar year. But, for me, not this year. My one resolution is "no resolutions". Somewhere in the dregs of this blog is my resolution list from last year which is likely to contain much of what might get added to the current list...if I were to make one. I am not. Of course, I have goals and aspirations as we head into what may well be a tumultuous year at best. The thing is, in 2009, I really need to get some serious stuff moving. But I need to be easier, gentler, clearer with myself as well. 

This is the year that your Uncle turns the big "40". I have been anxiously awaiting this for a long time as I always felt really good things about being 40. And I still do. But, admittedly, I am not quite where I imagined I would be. Frankly, I feel a million miles away from where I thought I'd be at this point. Sometimes I feel hopelessly lost and other times I feel like fighting furiously to keep steering the rudder through the perfect storm. Sometimes I throw myself a pity party and other times I am kicking my own butt. But, you know what, not anymore. If I feel like I am being guided toward anything right now it would be toward... surrender.

Oh no...not "give up" surrender but "go with the flow" surrender. I have tried to control so much and yet seem to have ultimately maintained control over very little. So maybe it's time to do the opposite? At this point, I don't see a lot of other options. And, you know what, that feels okay to me. Truly...okay. One day at a time and we'll see what comes of all of this.

*********

So how have all of you been doing? Any big plans for your New Year? Hope that the holidays went well for everyone. And "THANK YOU!" to all of the sweet well wishes in my absence. That picture up above ain't no lie, Kids! :) Mwah!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

A New Year doesn't approach that I don't feel pretty reflective on where I find myself. Don't worry, Kids, you'll be spared my lengthly musings...for now. ;) I've much to ponder and plan and (for goodness sake!!!) DO in 2009! My one resolution for 2009...no resolutions! Yep, that's right! What about you? Are you taking it all on or just going to take it easy? For the moment let me wish you all a VERY Happy New Year 2009, Kids! Hoping for the best for all of us in the coming year!