Let's do this 2011 thing...

I'm was ready for 2010 to be done. Another year of struggle. Some good things happened too. I still got a job. Still married and happy with my gal. Had a few adventures and good times with friends. But 2010 had the stink of doom and desperation to it. Too many big shoes out there ready to drop anytime. The general mood lifted a bit as December came on and things brightened as the ball dropped and 2011 began. It didn't take too long for one very large evil shoe to drop in Arizona all thanks' to one misguided moron with a glock, lots of sadness and fear now dominates everything. Despite that tragedy, I still feel optimistic about what I can do this year to inject something positive in this world. And I think that overall the clouds will start to clear and we'll all breath a little easier about the future. But then again, that might just be me trying to sell the dream to myself so I can breath a little easier. Whatever works.

One place where I can find a little joy now everyday, is my friend Gary Garbett's new blog, "a passing glimpse". Gary's posting a new photo, taken on that day, everyday as a grand art experiment/experience. I've had a similar notion to try such a thing, but always seem to conveniently forgot the idea, only to remember around January 12th. Gary is really doing it and I believe he will stay true to the cause. I'm looking forward to seeing the next 353 photos he posts.

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What if Salvador Dali were Santa...

That was the thought that sparked this piece. I based the writing on Dali's wacky essays and the images riff off his amazing paintings. As promised in a previous post, here's the whole thing (note- click any of the images to enlarge). If you want an actual hard copy of this tale, it appears in Dan Taylor's "Pork Belly Holiday Special 2010". Dan did a fine job assembling a wide and weird variety of art from the nice to the decidedly nasty. My pal Ralf Schulze got the back cover with a one page bit that will guarantee him a place on the naughty list. Thanks' to Dan for including Santa Dali in that mix. You can decide if it's naughty or nice.

Merry Ho-Ho!

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Hiking Goal for 2010 - History

I set a hiking goal every year to keep motivated and stay in shape. This year's goal was 650 miles. It fell today after an eight mile hike I did from my house to the Lesner Bridge and back. That walk brought my total to 651 miles. Any miles I add between now and the end of the year will be pure gravy. I think I'll up my goal in 2011 to 700 miles. All the local miles add up to a more pleasant experience when I finally do find myself out in the woods or on the side of a mountain.

I'm always looking for new hikes, new adventures, new challenges. This year I pushed myself on a three day, high altitude trek in the Maroon Bells region of Colorado on a trail called the "Four Passes Loop". My Uncle Gunnard set the trip up, and he and I put the packs on and stomp down those fantastic, sometimes difficult 28 miles. Here are the photos.

So what does 2011 and beyond hold? Here's my current wish list of hikes (it is ever evolving):

10)- Ben Nevis, Scotland- Highest mountain in the UK. I've walked right by this mountain when I've hiked The West Highland Way. It's time to take it.

9)- The Wicklow Way, Ireland - 127 kilometer trail through some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland or anywhere.

8)- Camino de Santiago, Spain - 460 miles across Spain.

7)- Hadrian's Wall, Britain - This trail follows the wall built by the Romans around A.D. 122. The 84 mile route runs coast-to-coast.

6)- The Great Glen Way, Scotland - 79 miles of walking from Fort William to Inverness along the shores of Loch Ness. What's not to like?

5)- Vienna to Prague - 250 miles of newly established trails through the old country.

4)- Grand Canyon, USA - 25 tough, but amazing miles.

3)- Catalan Pyrenees, Spain/France - There are a number of routes, all of them great.

2)- Atlas Mountains, Morocco - This would be some high adventure and a good reason to put some boots down on African soil.

1)- Mt. Fuji, Japan - The ultimate dream.

The order of this list is not particularly meant to represent any importance, other then Fuji, which is number one. I hope to take a couple of these off the list in the coming year.

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It's been a long time...

...and so, I finally got my holiday-themed piece, "Santa Dali" done for Dan Taylor's mini-comix "Pork Chop". I can't recall the last time I put ink to bristol board and crafted a little comix nugget, must be close, too damn close, to twenty years. It felt good to make marks like that, to play with ideas and words. The final piece is closer to an illustrated ramble than a true, traditional panel and speech balloon comic, but still laid down nicely. One thing I enjoyed was re-engaging with the physical act of art making. It is a renewal of spirit for me and connects me to the world in ways this old laptop and the intertubes never will. Is this the beginning of a new chapter in my life as a underground comix artist? We shall see. In the meantime, there's a little taste of my efforts. I'll post the final three-page story as soon as the printed edition hits the streets.

Zahdah.

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