The Call

Yesterday afternoon I received a call from my wife, Estelina, informing me that she was just laid off. When she told me the news, it felt like I had just been punched in the stomach. She was working part-time while she attends graduate school at St. Edward’s Universtity. Estelina was in surprisingly good spirits, which helped elevate my mood as well. There had been grumblings of organizational changes and possible layoffs through the grape vine at her work, so we were mentally prepared for this outcome. In fact, the more we discuss it, the more we are coming to terms with it. It could even be a blessing.

The Secret

Why in the world would getting laid off be a blessing? It isn’t like we don’t need the income. The truth is that for the last two months, Estelina has been working very hard towards open a children’s entertainment facility. If you are a parent you’ve no doubt seen the places with inflatables and moonwalks were kids can have birthday parties, run, jump and play. Well, we are hoping to be the preferred destination for parties and good old fashion fun. If all goes according to plan, we will open the doors in June 2009.

We’ve never done anything like this before and to be honest it is all a bit scary. There is a lot of work yet to be done and a lot of uknowns. But Estelina is dilligent. She continues to research and run the numbers (over and over again). Her passion for it is infectious. Even the developers she met with could not help but be won over by her knowledge and enthusiasm. Most importantly, our faith is carrying us through. No matter what happens, we are going to be alright. Just keep us in your prayers.

See the commercial here.

The Ragnar Texas Relay starts in San Antonio and meanders its way through Fredricksburg and other Central Texas towns ultimately ending in Austin. Each of the 12 team members will be required to run relay legs ranging from 4 to 8 miles in length. The hilliness of the course will make some relay legs more arduous than others. I have not been training nearly as hard as I should, but that all changes this week.

I am going to try and step up my training to get in 4 or 5 runs each week, with at least one of those being a long run (6+ miles). My injured hamstring is feeling much better so I should be good to go. I’ve never participated in any event like this, but it should be fun. Just pray that I don’t keel over and end up like a piece of road kill on the side of the highway.

The motorized parade continued the creep along at a turtle’s pace until I reached the first traffic light, at which point each successive vehicle increased its speed to the legally mandated 35 miles per hour. Only one long, sinous, two lane road permitted access into and out of my quiet little subdivision. The air from my automatic temperature controlled heater had not yet began to fill the car with warmth. My teeth chattered slightly as I began to reconsider my choice of medium weight black leather jacket to insulate me against the winter chill.

As I approached one of the many familiar curves that adorn my commute, I was struck by something quite unfamiliar. On the opposite side of the road, looking in my direction was a small creature. This critter was slight and about three feet in height. I was captivated by the strange look in its eyes. Its breath was heavy and rhythmic, manifesting in stringy white clouds that dissapated as they rose slowly into the twilight sky. In one fleeting moment, the breaths halted and the creature bolted out into the procession of automobiles. My heart stopped and my stomach seemed to drop out of my abdomen, falling headlong into a deep dark pit. From that point on, everything seemed to move in slow motion. A large red backpack, topped by the lifeless hood of a black sweat jacket bounced and danced as the tiny animal raced across the street. Time seemed to resume normal speed as the child disappeared in front of the large champagne colored suburban that was now frantically braking in front of me. As I stamped my brake pedal into the floor, I saw the little bastard emerge unscathed on the grass flanking the passenger side of my vehicle.

Furious, I rolled my passenger window down and proceeded to chastise (without the use of profanity) the tiny scoundrel. After realizing that he could not hear me, I drove on dumfounded. I thanked God for watching over the little heathen, greatful that I did not begin my week as witness to another roadkill incident.

History has defined numerous painters, sculptors and other fine artisans throughout the world. Most primary and secondary (and even some post secondary) art education in the United States is Eurocentric in focus. We learn about artists like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cezanne, Picasso and Mondrian. Many of the artists I learned about were Americans, such as Pollack, Warhol, Hopper, Wood and O’Keeffe. In retrospect, I realized that the overwhelming majority of my early art education focused on caucasian men. I was oblivious to this fact for many years. That is until a very good friend of mine, an amazing artist in his own right, introduced me to a number of black and hispanic artists. Why does it matter? Why is it so important that I, or for that matter you, be introduced to artists of different cultures and backgrounds? The amazing thing about art is the fact that it transcends time and cultural boundaries. All pieces tell a story. Some stories make political statements, while others give us insight about a particular person, culture or historical event. By studying art from people of different backgrounds, we are in essence, obtaining a more well-rounded understanding of our world.

With diversity in mind, I would like to periodically discuss the artists who have influenced me. One such artists is John Biggers. I went to middle school and high school in Houston, Texas. It turns out that Dr. Biggers, one the most influential black artists of our times spent much of his professional career as an artists and educator right there in Houston, Texas. John Biggers was educated at Hampton University under the instruction of Viktor Lowenfeld in the 1940’s. He later went on to establish and run the art department at Texas Southern University. Dr. Biggers was a painter, printmaker, and sculptor. Many of his most famous works were murals. His paintings showed a complete understanding of composition. He filled his canvases with interesting figures, geometric shapes, light, shadow and color, which combined lead your eye throughout his pieces. Exaggerated hands and deep set eyes are predominant in most of his human figures. He often used familiar household objects like washboards and cast iron pots to identify the characters in his work. The use of these items give us an understand of the subjects’ social status and a peek into their daily life. In 1957, Dr. Biggers took a trip to Africa as a part of a cultural exchange program. The trip had a profound affect on his art. In particular, the use of afrocentric patterns, symbols and spiritual imagery. Much of his post Africa pieces remind me of quilts. Dr. Biggers uses patterns of squares and triangles to fill his backgrounds and adorn his figures. He is truly an American Master.

Dear neigbors
You know who you are
The ones who walk your dogs
And hide by my car

To your miniture schnauzers and shitzus
And boxers with mits who
Like to leave their poo
On my front lawn

I have but one request
Please change their diets at my behest

Because tiny kibbles n’ little bits
Result in urine and …
Well a bit more than bits
On my front lawn

To those who think they are wiser
And claim its good fertilizer
That these modest piles of steam
Will make my lawn green
I have but one reply

Experts that chime in
Say doggy doo is good for your skin
So mix it with water and aloe and pound into paste
Then smear the product all over your face

Now be smart
Now be frugal
Leave nothing to waste
I am sure cretins like you all
Will enjoy the taste

So if you walk by
Please be so kind as to scoop
Or better yet, keep your canines so cute
And there nourishing poop
The hell off of my front lawn!

You see about two years ago, around the time of my daughters birth, he was experiencing the same ailment. He underwent a colonoscopy in which they removed some pollups. After further examination, it was brought to his attention that the mass of tissue that the doctors removed contained a small group of t-cells. For those whom are less familiar, t-cells are often found in cancerous tissue. Fortunately the cells were benign, but it certainly put a scare into my family, most notably my father.

This latest incident began his mind racing. What if it is cancer this time? What if I am not here to see my grandchildren grow up?

In typical fashion, my father called me and apologized profusely. He felt bad that he and my mother would not be present for the birth of my second child. They had missed the first birth, and vowed they would not miss the next. Of course I told him that his health was more important. I told him I loved him and hung up the phone in shock. My mind then began to race as well.

In a few hours my son would be born. A joyful occassion by any account. But my father lay in the hospital not knowing if a nemisis which he evaded before, was back to exact revenge.

I am happy to inform you all that the day ended much better than it had begun. My son, Ellis Antonio Hall, was born at 12:17 p.m., Thursday afternoon. I chose the name Ellis, because I admire the jazz musician and former music professor, Ellis Marsalis. Jazz music is profound and soulful. It is artistic and has a certain depth of character that I hope my son will also have someday. Ellis weighed in at a whopping eight pounds and a towering nineteen inches in height. In no time he asserted himself, by urinating over the edge of the glass enclosed warming bed, and onto the floor. I call it the shot heard round the world. It was pure and primal. He surveyed his surroundings, yet out a Howard Dean like yell, and began marking his territory.

Later that day, my mother called me and informed me that my father had diverticulitis. While very dangerous if not addressed, it was a managable ailment and certainly not as formidable as cancer. Sunday, my mother and father finally came to see their new grandson. The picture above is very significant to me. It will always serve as a reminder of the day on which god gave me my son, and allowed me to keep my father for at least a little while longer. I am currently working on a site for Ellis and his big sister Gabriela. Be looking for it over the next couple of weeks.

What once stood as a way to provide a balance of ideology and points of view, seems now to be more for form than function. A matter of aesthetics. What America needs is more people like Senator John McCain. Public servants whom are not afraid to stand on principle regardless of how their party wishes them to vote, instead of politicians whose only concern is to tow the party line and get re-elected. Yet even Senator McCain falls prey to the “game” at times.

Something that recently caught my attention was the complete inaction on the renewal of the Assault Weapons Ban. House Majority Leader, Tom Delay, suggested that the current legislation was nothing more than a “feel good” piece of legislation, since there were a number of loopholes that still allowed consumers to purchase many of the banned weapons. The question that comes to my mind is, why not try to close up the loopholes and give Americans some legislation that really works as it was intended. If our security and the fight against terrorism is truly important, then how is easing restrictions on high powered assault weapons helping us achieve those ends.

So if you have not already guessed, I do not associate myself with either party. But this makes things difficult. Instead of voting a straight party ticket, it means I have to actually look at each candidate and determine if their ideology matches that of my own. Now I am not saying that I have done a good job of this so far, but I have found one resource that has aided me a great deal. Project Vote Smart provides detailed information about national and local candidates whom are running for political office. Campaign financing, voting records, and third-party affiliations information are all provided on Project Vote Smart website. Another great resource which the organization provides is the 2004 Voters Self Defense Manual which you can have mailed to you, or download a PDF version straight from the website. The manual provides detailed information on how each candidate voted on major issues as well as other useful information.

Just remember, your vote is your voice in both national and more importantly, local politics. Exercise your right to vote or shut the hell up!

Due to an extremely busy work schedule, I have not been able to update my blog over the past few weeks. I had a big project that finally launched. I am not very happy with the results, but seeing as the clients basically requested an entire redesign a week and a half ago, I guess it will have to work for now. Yes, the client and project manager wanted the site completely redesigned after all of the mock-ups had been approved weeks earlier, and the entire site was constructed and 85% functional.

If I was not a believer in the value of CSS before, let there be little doubt that I am now. Since I had originally used CSS to build the site, it only took me one day to recut the graphics and rebuild the site. Had I used old school techniques it would have taken much longer. The entire experience left me overstressed and exasperated.

I am currently the only creative person on staff with my company. The means when any of my 7 accounts needs creative, they come to me first. When I cannot handle it, we are forced to use an outside resource. I recently came to the conclusion, that I am going to have to start telling people “no.” No longer can I try to be the creative superman. Being all things to everyone has only gotten me in trouble. I started to make mistakes. Though they were small mistakes, they were mistakes nonetheless. The thing about mistakes is you can never get them back. Each error diminishes you a little. They remain as indelible marks on your reputation. Lingering notions about your professionalism and reliability (at least in my mind they do).

By being honest about my ability to complete projects in a specified time period, I am not only benefitting myself. My company and our clients also benefit. It is hard for me to say no, because I want to please everyone. But I realize that if I give unrealistic expectations, everyone gets hurt in the end. This new approach seems to be working. My boss has approved the request to hire another designer/developer. Soon I will not only have some one to carry some of the workload, but someone to bounce ideas off of as well.

During this stressful period , I seemingly abandoned my wife, 9 months pregnant, and two year old daughter. My wife has been exhausted, achy and irritable. Understandably so. Why with carrying around an extra 20 pounds on her petite, five foot frame. And dealing with a, let’s say, rambunctious two year old is enough to drive someone with normal hormone levels right off a cliff. And let’s not even begin to discuss the chores that did not get done. I am sure that my abscence disrupted my daughters schedule a bit. By the time I would get home, it was already time for her bath. I think this is what bothered me the most. I just felt guilty because I was not there for my family.

I hope that the upcoming addition of a new designer and perhaps a laptop to make it easier for me to work from home will cure the woes of the past few months. Oh, did I mention that my son will be here this week? My wife is scheduled for a c-section this thursday! I am looking forward to some time off with my family.