art?

so, it's a fault of mine, where i watch something on television and think,

"i'm an engineer, i totally could do that! and just as good!"

i think you can see where this is going...

my awesome, multi-talented wife, the super imaginative cake decorator, found last summer (with my help) that the spray colors that can be purchased for cake decorating don't do quite the job we were hoping for. so, when the opportunity came up shortly thereafter to purchase an airbrush and compressor for way cheap (50% off!), we jumped at it. it was purchased "for cakes" but my engineer brain started thinking about all of the extra money making opportunities i would have... yeah. the airbrush sat in the box for almost 6 months before i even got it out... i have this problem of not wanting to screw something up once i have it (plastic car models, using stickers, etc.). i have a good friend who has now approached me to help him out. he is a goalie, and wants to repaint his helmet. currently, the helmet is black with "stock" stickers of a devil of some sort on it. we spent about an hour tonight discussing the new look. a pretty sweet skull and crossbones variation that his family designed for a board game, with either waves or a plain dark blue background. along with that, he is wanting a few other cool touches on it. i'm definitely nervous, but a little more relaxed about the whole thing, as it's not MY helmet we're working on. but if this works, i may paint my own helmet. i've got a duct tape decepticon logo on it currently. i'm not sure how i could improve on that.

pictures will follow. i promise!

musings...

just some thoughts...

• will someone PLEASE explain to me what it is about watching people play poker on television that is so darned interesting?
• why did american gladiators ever go off the air?
• there was once a time when cartoons were awesome. what happened? about the only current ones that are "for kids" that are any good are Phineas and Ferb, the Spectacular Spider-Man, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. (all highly recommended, BTW!)
• cheese. tasty, tasty cheese.
• speaking of food... "organic" fruits and vegetables? really?maybe i'm wrong here, but aren't ALL fruits and vegetables sold in the produce section organic? i like my dad's approach - "excuse me, could you direct me to the inorganic lettuce?"
• one of the most fun things in the world to do? cats with laser pointers. on linoleum.
• if there is any advice i could give myself when i was a kid, it would be to enjoy being a kid, read plenty, spend time with your family, and learn to study, stupid!
• when i come up with ideas to write about, i really should write them down, or just write.
• monkeys.

wow. where did all that come from?

first!

well, here i am, interwebs! i like to think i have something deep to offer, but knowing the way these things work, probably not.

so, is the proper way to start these things with a rant? if so, here goes.

why is it that people can't be more considerate when they drive? i swear, around here, many drivers have a switch in their brain that, when the ignition key is turned, their common sense just turns off. driving my wife to work this evening, some guy in an SUV (denali) decides to turn right, in front of me. there was about a civic length between me and the vehicle in front of me. needless to say, i was annoyed, so i laid on the horn. (i'm learning from my wife. she readily encourages horn usage to broadcast displeasure with other drivers.) the DIAD (dummy in a denali) decides to brakecheck. now, i hadn't backed off as much as i would have liked, as this was only about 100 feet from where he decided to insert himself into traffic. so, i had to slam on the brakes to avoid him. luckily, there were NO cars behind me, so all possible accidents were avoided.

oi. times like that, i wish for a red shell from mario kart. had to satisfy myself with some minor swear words and a little fist shaking. somehow, i don't think he cared.

sad.

but on a lighter note, welcome! and hopefully i can keep you entertained for many [insert plural increment of time] to come!