How I Spent My Summer CoV-acation




          There are a few interesting things to see in Westford, Vermont.  Besides a 180 year old covered bridge, there is a 700-pound (318 kg) carved wooden 'fuck you' gesture on a lighted pole and a 30-foot (9 meter) boat painted like a shark with a hand-painted sign: 'THIS VIRUS SUCKS...I WANTED ZOMBIES'.

          The reason I rarely permit myself to be photographed and, subsequently, don't publish photos which include my likeness, or visage, is because a UW-Milwaukee professor who taught me watercolor painting in the early 1980s said (as an explanation for why everything he wore, or owned, consisted of shades of grey):
          I believe the most successful artists are the best observers.  To be a good observer, one must strive to always blend in.  Nobody pays attention to some grey-haired old guy in a grey suit, wearing a grey tie and driving a grey car.  Like a scientist preventing their research from becoming contaminated by his or her own DNA, artists should be observers; not the observed.

more snap-photos of me:

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Meditate on the Fractal and Remain Aware of Infinity while You Don't



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shun the fleck in my roar




Looking at myself in the grungy mirror of who, what, where and when
For the first time in my privileged life, I hate the world today times ten
Things I have no control over which nobody has control over but then...
Some may cure others elect and twelve may incarcerate those bad men

Frame of window glare in tunnel awareness focused switch-plate the ken
Train of thought: removing all untoward distraction, until everyone is zen
I want to cry, I want to yell, I want to teach, I want to bash n bash again
Please empathize, listen, engage, delve and then agree to quit only when


continue contemplating art-poem combinations:


image excerpts from Chad Abramovich at Obscure Vermont
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Mailbox Philosophy - Jainism



          The foundation of Jain philosophy is based on three intertwined thoughts and behaviors which they have determined to be correct:
  • Faith
  • Knowledge
  • Conduct
          Adherents to the Jain way of living strive to avoid:
  • Violence or harm to living things (which includes food; most are vegan and intermittent fast)
  • Deception or lies (if speaking truth might harm someone, a Jainist chooses silence)
  • Stealing or misappropriation
  • Passion or lack of chastity
  • Acquisition or possession of material goods
          Jainism is not a religion because they do not believe in a creator.  According to Jain teachings, the universe has always existed (with fluctuating levels of energy) and will always exist.

          My artwork, Mailbox Philosophy - Jainism (Now in letterbox and living color) depicts an ascetic Jain (possess no clothing) wearing a traditional mouth cover (prevent inhaling small insects) while carrying a feather whisk (to remove insects from the path).  Strict followers of the Jain philosophy do not have residences or mailboxes (an octopus has, instead, camouflaged itself as a mailbox); above which, the octopus's stretched skin bears the Jain's motto, in Sanskrit, Parasparopagraho JΔ«vānām, which translates approximately to:  All Life Is Dependently Inter-connected.  Although self defense is permitted, the Jain's posture is not one of fear (from the Japanese Spider Crab) rather, she appears to be glancing at the Jain flag while she takes advantage of the water (Jains do not waste water by bathing).



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    PARSE (Philosophic Argument Relating to Socital Emblems)
             The Thin Blue Line vs Black Lives Matter


          Police officers unjustly killed another black man.  This time it was in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Protests—ranging from peaceful sit-in's to destructive riots—are currently happening worldwide. 

          If you want to learn why you should never display the "thin blue line" flag, patch, or banner as well as why you should never say the words: Blue Lives Matter or All Lives Matter, read on...

          Driving thru the Oregon countryside in 2018, my wife pointed to a pickup truck flying two large flags and asked if I knew what the black and white one represented.  Although I'd never seen an "American flag" with: black bars instead of red, a black field behind the stars instead of blue, and a horizontal blue bar thru the middle—I was able to make a reasonably informed guess (because the other flag in the back of the pickup was a confederate battle flag).

          There are a few variations of banners with these blue lines.  Even though they range from those with solid black backgrounds, or are combined with the stars and bars, or the union jack (as well as with the aforementioned stars and stripes) I've discovered one strong common denominator:  all appear to have been created after 2013—when the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement began.

          For decades, the descriptor  thin blue line has been used as a simile.  By referring to the police force as the "front line" of law enforcement, the phrase successfully brings to mind a line of blue-uniformed officers fighting valiantly to separate and protect law abiding citizens from criminals.  I joined the Military Police in 1985 but it wasn't until 1990—with the film The Thin Blue Line—that I learned this term was a label for police.

          If someone wants to show police solidarity and also wants to display their support in the form of a banner (on the back of their Ford F150, as an example) they should consider a emblem from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).  This organization is over a century old, advocates for the safety of law enforcement officers, and the FOP logo contains no words intended to usurp the message of another group.

          There are a growing number of flags, banners, and signs which bring universal scorn to those who publicly display them.  The Blue Lives Matter banner is now joining with the signs of the "Church" from Westboro, Kansas; the flag of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (the Nazi Swastika); and variants of the US Confederate Battle Flag (Confederate Southern Cross).

          Specious claims of "pride in one's heritage" are no longer palatable and displaying one's racism proudly is less and less tolerated every year.  But still, there are many who feel a need to display an emblem decrying their hate, so the white supremacists have recently adopted the thin blue line flag, which provides a superficially plausible explanation (claiming to support the police) while actually displaying their hate-filled message (which is that black lives don't matter to them).
  •      The Thin Blue Line Flag is equivalent to the Blue Lives Matter banner.
  •      The purpose of stating "Blue Lives Matter" is to oppose the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
  •      The primary "Black Lives Matter" message is to stop police violence against people of color.       
               Thus:  Displaying a Thin Blue Line flag means you support violence against people of color by the police—there is no other rational interpretation.  Any statement/emblem which contradicts that of the Black Lives Matter message, logically, stands in support of violence and murder of black people by law enforcement personnel.

          Keep following the logic...

          If someone declares Black Lives Matter (by banner, statement, or flag) they are protesting police violence on black people by sharing that organization's slogan.

          Any replies similar to:  all lives matter, or blue lives matter, or everyone's life matters, are contrary statements made by those disagreeing that black people have been and will continue to be unjustly targeted with violence by law enforcement personnel (which is what the Black Lives Matter movement wants to stop).

          After posting this article in 2018, I received a few proudly ignorant commenters claiming they were unaware the blue lives matter banner meant black lives don't matter, but rather than accept this rational argument, they all seemed to prefer keeping their emotion-based ignorance.

          Hate is a strong emotion.

          Nobody ever likes to think they previously made a wrong-headed decision—at the same time, we all like to hear others admit when they discover they made a mistake in judgement; we consider those who are able to recognize their mistakes (and are "big enough" to admit it) to be leaders who possess mettle, strong character and emotional intelligence.

          When was the last time this was you?  Could this be you in the future?

          Maybe a change, which we all can contribute to making, begins with your awareness that racist police violence has to stop.  If you change your apathy today, tomorrow maybe you'll be big enough to tell the ignorant multitude around you that they are part of the problem.


    are the same as 





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Recommended Products
      (unsponsored)

         I provide this small list of items I wish I'd discovered when I was younger, don't know how I got-by without previously, strongly recommend now, and would immediately replace if lost.  Although approximate 2020 prices are included, I suggest using camelcamelcamel to know if the current price is high or low (relative to previous prices).  The links to Amazon are for ease of identification and are not sponsored links.

          This CGEAR ground-cover/mat is not only for camping and picnics, but can be staked down in high winds with attached eye-rings.  It was designed to be utilized as a beach blanket, to prevent sand from being carried back to the vehicle, but I use it primarily as a base for stargazing (keeps clothes / top blankets dry) and as a 'home base' when exploring the forest with my cat.

          Available in several sizes; the 8' x 8' is between $50 - $80.


          The DURALEX Unie glass has a perfect heft, volume, shape, and size.  It holds 20oz (560ml), weighs 9 ounces (250g) and is made of tempered Duralex, which is the same material as vehicle glass.  If it breaks it shatters into tiny square pieces and not into sharp shards. 

          There's only one perfect size: French pint tumbler goblet $10 - $15.



          Having a favorite bar of soap is a first, for me—but I am so dedicated to the smell, creamy texture, and longevity of these triple-milled Wavertree & London (lemongrass and lemon myrtle scent) bars, I keep a "back stock."  (It's not hoarding if you only keep a 6 month supply is it?)

          Large bar, made in Australia:  $9 - $10.


          This Ibiyaya double-compartment backpack is sold as a pet carrier (definitely great for cats) but—as a backpack—it is durable, ergonomically-comfortable, and luxuriously outfitted with great details (which you weren't even aware you'd appreciate, until you discover them in this fantastic piece of high-end luggage).

          Overall size:  22"x15"x11.5"; $145 - $160. 
    
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A Flatter Curve Means...


  • People not wearing a mask or social distancing (until 2021 or 2022) are more-than-probably narcissists, sociopaths, or fools.
  • In the narcissistic sociopath's mind, everyone else is either insignificant or unimportant; their dysfunction causes them to only focus on their own convenience and comfort.  It's uncomfortable to breathe your own exhale.  It's inconvenient to maintain awareness in order to keep your distance.
  • Psychopaths try to blend in, so they'll not be as easy to spot.
  • Governments have begun to loosen restrictions because their hospitals are below capacity.
  • Fools take this to mean: "it's all clear, we can go about our normal lives."
  • Narcissistic sociopaths never wore masks or kept a distance.  They are just glad to be able to blend in with the fools now.
  • Doctors and historians say this will not go away until at least 80% of the entire population contracts it (if antibodies prevent re-infection, which is still unproven).
  • I had it and don't want it again.  I (and scientists) don't know if I'm still contagious.  I still wear a mask and keep a distance because empathy causes me to not prioritize my comfort and convenience over other people's life. 

continue covid19 creations:
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Arthouse Bizarre Convoluted Dark Films (ABCD Films)


          Continuing the theme from Chasing Svelte (films from 2005-2008) I provide eight of the most convolutedly-bizarre, dark-humor films of all time (as of 2019).   These ABCD Films are not in alphabetical order, best-to-worst, or oldest-to-most recent; they are in my recommended viewing/re-viewing order, which is referred to as mix tape order (explained by Rob Gordon in the very non-bizarre film High Fidelity).

           If you are unfamiliar with this cross-genre niche, welcome to discovering something you will either love or hate.   


Rubber is the first on this list because it rolls somewhere between unexpectedly-strange and oddly-hilarious.  Why do the characters speak English in this French-Angolan film?  No reason.  If Rubber is too surreal and unsettling (even though all great films, without exception, contain an important element of no reason) then you have already learned not to keep watching down this list.


Bad Boy Bubby is so much more of everything (which is why it's in the #2 spot).  This underground, extremely-dark Australian comedy contains some thought-provokingly disturbing imagery and very adult situations.  Not mainstream horror, but a few scenes fall so far outside "normal film standards" that viewers who enjoy it are confirmed ABCD film lovers.  (Rough-experimenal in technical quality.)


Allegro non troppo, an animated Italian musical formatted like Fantasia, is insightful, humorous, and consistently off-kilter.  Familiarity with the Disney film isn't a prerequisite.  The six shorts, accompanied by classical music, are sandwiched between strange live sequences with subtitles.  "Man's origin" set to Ravel's BolΓ©ro is permanently wedged in my monkey brain.  (Suitable for mature children.)


The Brand New Testament, a French-Belgian odd-quirky comedy, is much more main-stream than the films which precede it because "quality mix tape order" requires a softening lull and this begins the less-intense midpoint.  The next few are still ABCD films, but some leave less room for interpretation; less room for thinking; less room for discussion.


eXistenZ is Cronenburg at his Cronenburgiest (I mention because some are overly confused/put-off by his films).  It's as if Nolan's Inception was melted into Spielburg's Minority Report with a flamethrower—only with creatures grabbed from inside and put outside.  Watch it (again?) but don't focus on the when-did-that-what-happen.  Think about the subtexts.


John Dies At the End is delectably detestably (thank you word-suggest) debatably similar to the previous two (buoying-down/anchoring-up the slightly more Hollywoodish midpoint of this list) only John Dies At the End has significantly more sauce, overt philosophy, and abstruse wordplay (when you come across a new word for the very first time in your life you'll always read or hear it again within twenty-four hours).


Eraserhead intentionally makes empathic viewers uncomfortable in a myriad of ways.  That is its gift.  (Those querulously confused, lost, and/or befuddled are more-than-likely the opposite of an empath.) This is the penultimate ABCD film:  second-most experimental (behind Bad Boy Bubby); second-oldest (behind Allegro non troppo) and second-to absolute most surreal.


Gozu is a Japanese film (subtitles) with a Yakuza enforcer central character, but it's not an action/suspense film; it's engorged with dark humor, but it shouldn't be placed in the comedy genre; and it gushes with whatdidIjustsee (normally labelled horror) but doesn't fit comfortably in that skin.  Gozu will be tattooed into your long term memory.  It's overwhelming grand finale pushes the bizarre out. All the way out.


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Serling's Mailbox - Answer Key


Before viewing this list of Twilight Zone episodes, see how many you can find in the original artwork Serling's Mailbox.

(click to enlarge and magnify)


ancillary addendum's to other artworks
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Asperger's Trait: Hyper-Focus (lack of eye-contact) Explained



          Some fellow-nefnd—who posses the Asperger's trait commonly labeled: hyper-focus, which is sometimes referred to as an extreme attention to detail and also, usually, confused with the symptom lack of eye contact—are unable to exercise control over their brain's focus or attention the way neuro-typicals are able.  Which, simply put, is one of the many reasons Autism is considered a disability.  I may consider hyper-attention to be my normal, but I recognize that being able to switch it off (without closing my eyes or turning my gaze toward a blank wall) would be hugely beneficial.  

          To aid in my explanation, I provide this photograph.  One early-Spring, first-covid19-quarantine, day-trip took us thru:  Granville Reservation, Texas Falls, the Robert Frost Wayside, and passed a well-maintained roadside cemetery East of Vermont 116 or North of 125 (memory fails which).

          The relevant point:  I was driving over 35mph (60kph) when my eyes landed—for a half-second—on these light blue doors about 100feet (30meters) away.  Because I can not shut off my brain's hyper-attention I became aware of the unusual (for the US) ventilation holes drilled into the doors and then returned my focus to the slight curve in the road.  Four seconds later, I recognized we were passing a cemetery and immediately made the connection with the doors/ventilation holes leading underneath it (presumably they lead to a place for the storage of lawn care, snow removal, and grave digging equipment or tools).  So, I turned the car around and went back for this photograph.

          If the ventilation stars were pointing up I would have still made a mental note as I glanced at them; no choice—can't turn my focus off—my inner awareness, if it were a monologue instead of images, would be an incessant hubbub of chatter grabbing for my attention.  However, short term memory would have over-written two regular stars as routine with some later, more overwhelming, images [like the flock of a dozen wild turkeys near Hinesburg or the road-sign to St George (I was in the process of creating that artwork at the time).  The turkeys and sign made it into my long-term memory but not into a camera].

          All it took, to turn a routinely-forgettable mental image into a sufficiently-overwhelming one, was the person drilling those ventilation holes to turn their template 36 degrees—thereby, causing me to spend a few seconds imagining foolish candlelit goings-on betwixt some weed-eaters, tarps, and a backhoe; a few minutes to take and upload the photo; and a few hours writing this explanation.

          Thank you ventilation hole-driller.


more memorandums on mind and memory:
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