Leaving babies in hot cars - and Hammond organs....

Yes, Virginia.  I can get the two subjects in the same post.


Because the price of petro isn't going to drop considerably in my lifetime, I try to limit my activities to one part of St. Louis on any particular day, or during one outing.  This past weekend, I chose to attend several estate sales and one garage sale in North County, St. Louis (Florissant, MO).   I viewed the listings on the following pages, and made the determination that these 3 sales had items that I find of interest, and that I would have time enough in my morning to get to them, do my shopping, and get home before Mark gets off work at 10:00 AM, when he has to work a Saturday morning.  It is not that I am trying to hide my shopping habits from him.  There are better ways to do that, if hiding anything was my intent.  I merely want to get some early morning 'running' done, and get home before he gets off work, so we can attend one of the many venues in this area together. 


The pages that I find estate and garage sales:


http://gsalr.com/garage-sales-st-louis-mo.html
(Although the items in any one given sale are not limited to just those that are in the listing, one easy way to find a particular item that you are interested in is to type the name of the item in the search box at the top, and it will return any sales with that item listed..)


The other page that I use on a weekly basis:
http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/MO/St.+Louis.aspx


I was using the first page listed here, and I searched "organ".  One sale listed a "Hammond organ".   Even though that is exactly what I was looking for, I also search "yarn", "music" (for sheet music and other musically related items), and "piano".


Even though it is a help that I do appreciate, there is a few problems that can be associated with a seller listing a "Hammond organ". 


1) This item may (or may not!) actually be a Hammond organ.   This runs along the same train of thought that some people think that every tissue is a Kleenex or that all transparent tape is Scotch Tape, some people think that all organs are Hammond organs, etc.  I have arrived at sales that listed a "Hammond organ", and I was confronted with an entry-level Kimball Fun Machine from the early 1980's, which is an entirely different horse of another color. 


2) If it IS,. in fact, a Hammond organ, this means the seller usually takes the time to accurately determine the brand of the machine he is pedaling, then it will usually be priced accordingly (elevated price because they 'know what they have'.  They have 'silver', not 'gold', and sometimes it is 'gold plated', if you know what I mean - and they are asking a selling price of 'solid gold!"


3) If they go as far as listing a CORRECT model number, (Hammond A-100, Hammond L-100, etc), that information is extremely helpful, but then the seller(s) have done a little more research, and once again, they are pedaling silver, but think it's worth gold, if you will.


Back to the sale in question:
The ad read, "Hammond organ".  I was armed with the above knowledge, and I was the first to walk in the door.  I was standing in front of a beautiful Hammond E-133.  The cabinet on this instrument was nearly flawless.  I cleared the bench of sale items, and flipped the off / on switch.  I didn't hear the tell-tale purr of the tonewheel generator coming up to speed.  To the uninitiated (or the uninterested!), in my mind's eye, this sound is as if the instrument is taking a deep breath, or sighing while waking up. In all actuality, it is the entire generator reaching the required speed necessary to produce sound when the keys are played.

This poor old girl was silent.  No breath.  The off / on pilot light was on, indicating that the organ was plugged in, and the amps were working, producing power.  The cymbal / brush effect worked on the pedals the the lower manual (keyboard), but the generator that is responsible for producing organ-like tones in this machine was deathly quiet. 


The woman that owned this instrument passed away the previous year, and her daughter and son-in-law were selling the contents of the home.  The sale was on Saturday, and the house had to be empty by Monday morning. 


I currently own 3 Hammond organs, myself, and one of the 2 that I own is the same model (Hammond E-100) that I own.  Actually, the organ in front of me was a Hammond E-133, and the one in my great room is a Hammond E-182.  They differ only in 'furniture style', and the particular finish that is on each organ.  They are the same instrument, however.    While this model is not one of the highly-sought-after models, such as the Hammond B3, C3, A-100, etc (and I have one of those, too), the Model E-10 is not a 'junk organ', and deserves a better life than to be carted off to a landfill on Monday morning!


The problem with this organ isn't difficult to repair. "She" needed to find herself in capable hands, rather than desperate hands that are all too willing to toss her out. 


I had several dilemmas before me:
A) Even though 'rescue syndrome' was pounding on my heart's door, I didn't need another Hammond. 


B)  I am a small, official Gimp, and shouldn't be moving 400 lb. organs.


C) I HATE to see a fixable, playable, classic instrument go to the dump!  Even though Hammond organs are currently being produced, tube-amped, tonewheel organs have not been manufactured since the mid-1070's.  This 'species' is nearing the endangered / threatened list, and some day will, in fact, become 'extinct'.


I know I was in tears when I left that house.  I promised the lady that I 'had some contacts', and that I would get the message out there, and maybe somebody would rescue this beautiful instrument before Doomsday. 


Since 1992, I have been a member of 2 on-line Hammond Technical mailing lists (forums).  If you knew of some of the politics that happen on one of those lists, you would not be proud of me at this moment for tolerating that crap, but I have a story to tell a story. (I know - No surprise there!)


The story goes:
If you know the late-great Jazz organist, Mr. Jimmy Smith, you would know that his reputation of being a genuine prick well preceded him.  Personally, I believe his attitude came from several sources, and a couple of those 'seeds' might have been a very twisted sense of humor, and being bored, in general, with "the scene".  There were times that he was a major ass to anybody around him. So, you ask: "Why tolerate being treated like that?"  My answer is, "If you want to listen to good, jazz organ that is being played by the King of Jazz Organ, you will have to deal with the crap he spews."  In other words, if you want the good stuff that comes out of him, you have to put up with the bad stuff, too.  The choice is yours, and neither choice is wrong. 


The same example may be applied to at least one of the Hammond Technical lists.  There are two lists: HAM Tech and HAMster.  One list is relatively moderated, and the other list is privately owned, and the politics tend to lean towards the side of those who own and operate the list, rather than for the benefit of the entire group.  But - I digress. Once again, you ask:  "Why do you put up with being treated like that?"  My answer is nearly the same, "If you want the knowledge that comes out of those people pertaining to repairing, maintaining and playing a very specific instrument, then you have to deal with the crap that leaks out of their pores.  You can leave the list(s), and leave the knowledge base, or you can deal with the crap being flung your way, and stick around for the knowledge and wisdom from - honestly - the best Hammond technicians on the planet.    These people have maintained and repaired (and still do) instruments for every one of the most famous musicians and singers on the planet, and in every musical genre, including rock, country, jazz, soul,, and everything inbetween.  Some of the personalities that these organs are maintained for are: Paul Schaffer from the David Letterman Show, Tina Turner, Hootie and the Blowfish, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Greg Allman, and literally thousands of other famous and semi-famous names.  Yes.  I will stick around for their knowledge.  Unfortunately, I can't get the knowledge without having to clean the crap off my sunglasses, but that, as they say, "Is the way it goes."


ANYWHO....


(Did I mention the $8,000 full-side Yamaha Grand piano that I was for sale at the next estate sale that I went to after the one with the Hammond?)


When I got home from shopping my sales, as I promised the lady, I posted the sale of this Hammond-in-need on both Hammond Technical lists, and on FaceBook.


Now, I would like to say, "THANK YOU, JERRY, in LESLIE, MO!"  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  You have made me happier than a pig in...well....mud!  To fill the rest of you in, Jerry saw my posting on one of the Hammond lists, and he drove the 70 miles yesterday (Sunday) and picked up this Hammond E-100!  YES!  Please keep in mind that the membership on these Hammond Technical lists is fro all over the world.  Only a couple members are actually local to my area - the rest are all over the planet! I was lucky that one member who was close has an interest in caring for this beautiful instrument. 


This instrument lives on, and will soon play again!  That, my friends, is better than a classic instrument going to the dump because nobody cares! 


Much in the same manner as a (good!) mother hearing about the demise of another child rushes home, and gives her own kids an extra hug and kiss, immediately after I posted the message on the Hammond Technical lists, I went to our great room, and fired up **MY** 1969 Hammond E-182 / Leslie 122, and played for a few minutes.  After I finished playing, I looked at Mark, and he said, "I know...I know...!"


And that, my friends, is how we arrive at the "Babies left in hot cars....." portion of this show!


I love Oprah!  God knows I do!  In the immortal words of Sophia ("The Color Purple"):
"I luz Harpo, God knows I do. But I'll kill 'im dead 'fo I let him beat me.!" 


But...but... Did anybody see the show this past week that had the woman that left her baby in a hot car?  I think it goes without saying that the baby died as a result of this gross negligence.


When the lady was asked for tips on how to prevent this tragedy from occurring in the future, the lady said, "Put your purse or your house keys in the back seat with the baby.  You won't forget those!"  Can I just share with you that Oprah agreed with her?  HUH?  A huge W-T-F???? 


Somebody please correct me if necessary, but shouldn't the baby trump in importance the keys or the purse????  Am I off track by saying, "I guess procreation isn't for everybody!"


An innocent child that is helpless and defenseless, and is strapped into a TRAP in the back seat should be the of utmost importance to **ANYBODY**, and there should be no need to leave keys or any other object in the back seat in order for you to remember a valuable soul whose safety you are entrusted to!  What about this innocent child?   If keys or a purse is more important to you than firstly and foremostly remembering a precious, defenseless soul, than I don't need you as a mother / father, **EITHER!!!**


I care not that the woman that made this statement is a grieving mother. SHE was the one that caused her loss, and SHE is the one that said, "Put your purse or house keys in the back seat with the baby. That way, you won't forget the baby!"  This is **AFTER** she killed her own baby.  If I was sitting in Oprah's chair, I would have stopped and corrected that lady before she said another word, much less agreed with her, as Oprah did. 


Am I alone here, or should the lady not have made this statement, and Oprah should not have agreed with here?  I would have been the first person to tell this lady, "If you have to leave keys or a purse in the back seat to remember a child - YOUR child - in the back seat, then it should be no mystery to you as to why your own child is now dead, because it is that lack of consideration and general well being that killed her in the first place!"  Tears or no tears, those words would have left my mouth as if I was spitting nails with deadly accuracy, and in her direction.  As I said earlier, this reason - and many more - are enough evidence that a lot of people shouldn't procreate!


- Michael
 

What's it really worth?

I have attended many estate sales, flea markets, yard sales, and I frequent antique shops and malls.  I have seen *junk* organs, for example, that should not be offered for sale with price tags of $450 and higher.  Occasionally, I have had the sellers ask me, "You know about these things. What's it worth?"

If you try to educate the seller, let me forewarn you:

Your intentions are good, but my advice would be: don't waste your time.

When you see a price that delusional, you can't expect rational  thought to prevail. The asking price is probably based on one or more of the following:

1) "This guy" told me it was worth at least $2k.

2) He/she is desperate for money and is hoping to find a fool who'll  pay that price.

3) His/her grandfather paid that much for it in 1970, and they still  have the receipt.

4) "It has great sentimental value to me, and I won't take any less  for it."

5) "It's such a nice piece of furniture."

If you tell them the truth, they'll think you're either insulting  them or trying to lowball them.

I speak from experience.  Do yourself a favor, and save your breath. You will need it (your breath) someday, and if you remember this moment, you will be angry for expending such energy on a lost cause!

- Michael

Just for the record....(Obama / Bush....Yadda Yadda Yadda)

Ya all know very well that it was during *my* president's administration that Satan's favorite little lap dog - Osama Bin Laden was effectively eliminated.

It was *not* during the administration of that babbling village idiot that you all elected, but it was during the administration of a president who will uphold me more than he will destroy me.  I can't say the same for the person that you threw at me (George W. Bush) - twice.

I am very well aware that the killing of Bin Laden is merely a minor speed bump in the reign of terror that Al Qaeda continues to inflict upon the Earth.  Bin Laden's empty sandals have most likely already been filled by the next-in-command in the Al Qaeda forces.  That notwithstanding, we will continue to celebrate this moral victory, and simultaneously looking over our shoulders.  It would be a foolish act to think "It's over - we can let our guard down." Au contraire!  Now would be as good of a time as any to beef up security and be on the look-out for more terrorist strikes.

Back to the subject at hand:  Ya all's election habits.

I find it almost funny (but not quite!) that not a single person ever admits to voting for George W. Bush.  Not one person.  I know from simple observation that we live in a democratic country that still, at least somewhat,  continues to hold regular election to elect our leaders.  More than half of this country did that (George W. Bush!) to us!  And you did that to us ***TWICE*** ! ! !  Once wasn't enough for you?  We had to go through it twice????

Are you people living in such a constricted existence in your tight little worlds that you would rather vote in somebody that you know has a record of jacking up this country beyond belief, rather than take a risk on the unknown (any other option you had other than George W. Bush)?

I managed to live over half of my life in a happy, apolitical existence.  To some degree, I was relatively content with the leaders of this country, at least inasmuch that I didn't bitch and moan about it.  The minute you-know-who stepped in, and jacked up this country beyond the wildest stretch of my imagination, I was forced to vote in the next election.  Did my vote make a difference?  Obviously not. That embarrassing idiot was handed the reigns of this country once again, and it was you people that did the handing over.  I mean - C'mon!  Did ya not learn your lesson the first time around?  How many times do you have to shoot yourself in the foot before you realize that it (George W. Bush) didn't work out the first time - and he's not going to make anybody but Laura (that poor, long suffering woman!) proud the second time, either.

Then...oh, then..... You have the nerve to bitch about the job Barack Obama is attempting to do.  I am here to tell you today that I would rather change all the baby's diapers on the damned planet than have to even being to clean up the mess that we found ourselves in with George W. Bush.  Yet you have nerve enough to bitch about the job the clean up crew is doing. He (Obama) did not get us in this mess, but he is attempting to get us out of it.  That, my friends, is a 180 degree turn from what George W. Bush was doing to us!

So - there you have it:
1) Enjoy your victory.  One tyrant is dead, but I guarantee you he isn't the last of the line, and he has already been replaced. Keep your eyes wide open while you are celebrating.

2)  I have one request:  Don't ever do that (George W. Bush) to us again!  If you are foolish and conservative enough to vote an embarrassing clown in the first time, please admit your mistake - at least to yourselves - and don't do that to us again!  If you do choose to do it again - and you know you will - don't be tasteless enough to bitch and moan about those who are left in the wake of your self-made disaster, and are making an honest attempt at cleaning up *your* mess.  If you don't like the clean up efforts, the answer is simple: Don't make the mess. Taking a gamble on the unknown is often better than the circumstances that you currently got yourselves into.

That's all I ask of you?  Is that really asking too much?  (Apparently so!)

(Jumping off my soapbox and continuing with my day.....  CARRY ON!)

-Michael

Art Shows and Festivals for 2011 / St. Louis area

Please keep in mind that the venues that I list are the ones that *I* attend on a regular basis. They are deemed to be the biggest / best in this area, but there are other choices.  It would behoove you to take a peek at the world from my perspective.  If you are adventuresome, and like to use your available time and energy to explore the world on your own terms, please add my judgment to your own, rather than substituting mine for yours.  

For whatever reason, the events listed on the following page are not in chronological order.  They are all here, just not in an order that you would expect. You can change the results of your search by clicking on a different venue category under the "Browse Events" box in the top right hand corner of this page:

http://eventful.com/stlouis/events/categories/festivals_parades

(Sing in the tune of.... )        

These Are A Few of my Favorite..... EVENTS!

First, the Outdoor Art shows:

Please let me reassure you that you will not find any ducky-goosey wooden cut out objects to hand on a kitchen wall at these art fairs. Nor will you find candles in Mason jars, or quickly thrown-together silk flower arrangements.  You *will* find some innovative yet timeless fine art that is produced by the individuals showing and selling it.  The flawless techniques that are demonstrated by these artists range from age old techniques that have been learned by some of the artists in college classes. Many of them have Bachelors / Masters degrees in various art-related courses.  On the other hand, many of them use techniques to produce their art that are invented and refined by themselves, and are truly unique to their own style.  Another category consists of artists that use a combination of knowledge obtained in a formal setting and the wisdom gleamed from creating their own styles.

Most of these art fairs / shows have free admission.  Two do not: The Laumeier Art Fair and the Shaw Art Fair.  Both of those shows charge a nominal fee for admission.

Laumeier Art Fair

Friday, May 6: 6-10 PM Open one-hour later for 2011!
Saturday, May 7: 10 AM - 8 PM
Sunday, May 8: 10 AM - 5 PM

Location:
12580 Rott Road
St. Louis, MO
(it is best to park across the street from the Sculpture Park, in the parking lots, and walk across the street.  There is no parking allowed in the Park during this event, and you must 'park out and walk in' - but it is a short walk!)

Admission

$8.00 for adults
$5.00 for children ages 6-11
Members and children under 6 are free

The show's general website:

http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/programs_events/art_fair

The list of artists for 2011, with a sample photo of each artist's work:

http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/sites/default/files/ckfinder/files/Art_Fair_2011_Artist_List.pdf

Art On The Square - Belleville, IL
(20 miles from downtown St. Louis to downtown Belleville)
 Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 15, 2011

Location: Downtown Belleville, IL
Zipcode:  62220

This show has quickly climbed the ratings of Art Shows and Fairs in the country:

2003 - debuts as #43 in nation (Sunshine Artist Magazine)
2004 - #25 in nation (Sunshine Artist Magazine)
2005 - Named Best Small Town Fine Art Show in the Nation (Art Fair Source Book)
2006 - #9 in nation (Sunshine Artist Magazine)
2007 - #5 in nation (Art Fair Source Book)
2008 - #1 in nation (Art Fair Source Book)
2009 - #2 in nation (Art Fair Source Book)
2010 - #1 in nation (Art Fair Source Book)

A link for the artist listing for this show.  Click on each category to see the artists in that group:
http://artonthesquare.com/artists.htm

St. Louis Art Fair and the Taste of Clayton
Friday, September 9
Saturday, September 10
Sunday, September 11
 
Location:  Downtown Clayton, MO,
Zipcode: 63105

St. Louis Art Fair general website (I love the dresses featured on the front page of this site!  They are definitely art dresses, and the materials they are constructed from are anything but fabric!)

http://www.culturalfestivals.com/SaintLouisArtFair.html

Click on "Artists" for a listing.

Even though the other art fairs that I list on this site run a close second place, this show is probably my favorite.  The temperature isn't too hot nor too cold, and the atmosphere is just right!  I always attend this show on two days: Friday evening, when it opens, and usually one more weekend day.   When I arrive on Fri. evening, I go to the food court and get an innovative, affordable dish ($3 - $7) that consists of something like grilled pizza, Lobster Bisque and a cocktail or a glass of wine.  I savor my goodies while listening to a jazz band on the main stage.  There are 3 stages throughout the fair, each with their own type of entertainment..

Shaw Art Fair
Saturday, Oct 1, 2011
Sunday, Oct 2, 2011
Admission: Usually $5 for this art fair, and if you choose to attend the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, located directly across the street from this art fair (and if you are not with me!), the admission for the Best of Missouri Market is $15.

This is the last outdoor art fair that I attend of the season.  As previously stated, this event is held on the same dates and times as the Best of Missouri Market, located directly across the street at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. 

This is a nice fall show. 

Their general website:
http://www.shawartfair.org/


Cultural Festivals

The International Institute's Festival of Nations
August 27 - 28, 2011

Location:
Tower Grove Park
St. Louis, MO (Just off South Grand St)

Their website:
http://www.stlfestivalofnations.org/

There is no better place in the St. Louis area to experience many cultures in one place. There are demonstrations and entertainment, and a lot of food from many countries. If you have the urge to do so, you can have a single meal consisting of food from 5 (or more) different countries.

I am going to be forced to love it!

The Greek Fest

Labor Day Weekend - every year

Location:
In the parking lot(s) of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox church, across the street (Kingshighway) from Forest Park, and a block from Barnes Hospital.

The physical address:
4967 Forest Park Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108

The Greek Fest website:
http://www.sngoc.org/GreekFest/default.htm

This Festival is **all about the food** ! ! !
There MIGHT be a small band set up in more than one large tent, but this festival isn't about the music, and it isn't about the free (optional) tour of the Greek Orthodox Church.  This event is, indeed, all about the wonderful Greek food.  Between 2 people, we buy several items for each of us, and spend probably $50 for a couple large bags of food - enough for a total of 4 meals, with the addition of a separate box of Greek pastries per person.  I also have an ouzo and a Greek beer while I am there.

The Japanese Festival
Labor Day Weekend - every year.
Location:
The Missouri Botanical Gardens.

This Japanese Festival is the largest Japanese celebration in the United States, held in the largest and oldest Botanical Garden in the United States - and a lot of the festivities are held in the Largest Japanese Garden in the United States!

You can be entertained by the real Sumo wrestlers, take in a huge Bonsai show (some plants available for purchase), shop a large outdoor vendor's market, or eat lunch from the growing Japanese food court.  We can't forget the Sake!  Gotta have some Sake!

In Summary:

There you have it, folks.  I gave you the tools you need to squeeze a bit more out of your lives. It is up to you to see the need to do so - then do it!

These are by no means all of the shows or festivals in the St. Louis area.  They are the largest, however - with the exception of Rib America.....Fair St. Louis (4th of July), and the list continues.....

- Michael

C'mon, GIVE IT TO ME!

We have had an exceptionally rainy, HAILY spring here in ole St. Louis.

With more rain in the forecast, and for the 4th day in a row, I just looked at Mark and said, "Now, come on! Can't we have just a LITTLE more rain! After all, what we need is more rain! All the plants I put unto the ground this spring aren't beat to hell yet by the hail! Let' have one more go-round to see if we can't take them out, too!"

Three years ago, I was bicycling my weekly 100 mile Century ride between South St. Louis City and Grafton, IL, and I got caught in a severe downpour, with no shelter within miles. Not one building. Not a single tree. Actually, I was on the levee, which is elevated, and this levee is elevated for 10 miles - out in the middle of nowhere.

I will, however, bicycle in a rain storm (no lightning or hail, please!), before I bicycle in the wind. The rain can't stop me - the wind will stop me dead in my tracks, and fight every turn of my pedals.

My bicycle is a 2007 REI Novara Randonee with a BOB Trailer w/ yellow Yak Sack, Aerobars, a $500 iBike cyclometer, and front and back Ortleib Bags - a $6,000 bicycle rig. My stuff does not get wet in those bags - they're waterproof. I, on the other hand, had water pouring off me in such a stream that I had waves going down my rib cage. Honestly!

At one point during that ride, I jumped off my bicycle (while still on the trail, on top of the levee!), threw my hands in the air and said (to God):

"Is that all you've got? I mean - C'mon! Isn't there just a little more up there? C'mon, I know you can do it! Give it to me!"

I was pissed! I jumped my drenched ass back on that bicycle, and pedaled with a vengeance all the way home. When I was a block - ONE BLOCK out of 100 miles from home, it stopped raining! It was at that point that I had to cuss a little more.

- Michael

Supporting our Troops!

It is no well kept secret that I enjoy going to estate sales (and antique malls, etc), almost every weekend. 

There are several websites that I consult, usually starting the Thursday before the weekend, and I check them again on Fri. and Sat. morning, so I will have my game plan organized.  The websites that I consult are:

www.estatesales.net

and

http://gsalr.com/garage-sales-st-louis-mo.html

Some folk will gasp in disbelief, but I do quite often tire of the "Julie, the Tour Director" role that I have somehow inherited. I know....I have choices.  I could choose to sit in this house like a bump on a log and vegetate until I am mercifully relieved of my misery, and taken from this world. or I can make the absolute best of my experience while I am here.

Mark Twian's answer to the lady who exclaimed to him, "Your sense of humor proves that you must have a close relationship with God!"  Anybody that has remotely glanced in the direction of Mark Twain's writings can easily discern that his writings were merely to amuse himself, pay his bills, and to occupy his time while he was here on this Earth.  He lost his wife and two children before he, himself, passed away. Mildly stated, he was a bit peeved with God.  He answered the lady's comment with, "You obviously have not heard of our (His / God's) estranged relationship!"  I said that to say this:  Many people mistake the activities and enthusiasm of an individual as a religious existence.  That is not so.  On the contrary, many of us are simply occupying our time, and making the best of our existence.  I cannot imagine how boring our time on this planet would be without hobbies, interests and passions!  Just look at those around you.  This fact will become immediately apparent.  When  physicist Richard Feynman died, his last words were: "I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring."

My point is:  I often tire of my adopted role as "Julie, the tour director", and occasionally, I would like Mark to select the day's activities.  This can include whether or not we are going shopping, which estate sale we should go to on that early Saturday morning, or any other venue we would like
 to attend. 

This past weekend, Mark noted some craft supplies at a particular estate sale in the historic Webster Groves (St. Louis) district.  He has that estate sale, and one other sale that featured a lot of furnishings from the 1950's - 1970's.  I did buy a macrame wall hanging, a Jimmy Smith (Jazz organist) album and a hedge trimmer at this sale. The other mid-century furnishings from this house, and the house, itself, was PHENOMENAL.   I had to reluctantly pass on most of the stuff in this house because my house is already nearing the full point! On to the next sale.

(The mid-century sale was two blocks behind Jilly's Cupcakes!  (http://www.jillyscupcakebar.com/)
I am here to tell you that I was a very good boy. We bought a cup of coffee, and left the store!  In another 10 lbs, I *will be back* for one of these cupcakes.  They are so big, rich and wonderful, I have to eat them in 2 sittings.  Check out that website. The choices are mind bending.

On to the estate sale that Mark selected for us.  This sale was in an old house.  Many older homes have many small rooms, rather than an open floor plan. This was a 2 home, and both the front and back yards had no grass. They both were heavily planted flower gardens.  Because this home was small, and everybody that came to the door of this home was allowed in (rather than taking numbers, or counting customers in and out), the small rooms quickly became over crowded with customers.  I eventually found my way upstairs and into the craft room.

This craft room was better appointed than a few Michael's and / or Jo Ann's Craft stores that I have visited!  The woman that lived here did it all.  She did crewel work, counted cross stitch, knitting, crochet, and many other arts and crafts.  I do appreciate those that do other work, such as the crewel, needlepoint, etc. My gig is knitting.  Only recently have  come to speaking terms with "Crochet".  In the opinion of this writer, knitting is so much more cut-and-dried.  One stitch after the other.  They are all on the knitting needles, waiting for you to knit / purl / cable, etc, them.  With crochet, you have to pick up the right stitch, and do so much more with it than a simple knit stitch.  To each their own, I say.  If you can crochet and not knit, that is OK.  IF you knit and not crochet, that is OK, too, and if you can do both you are blessed. 

About a month ago, I went to an estate sale and bought what initially appeared to be a large supply of  Red Heart (acrylic, 4 ply all-purpose yarn).  These colors are BRIGHT. Turquoise, purple, yellow, red organge, red, and a couple shades of green.  I had idea what I was going to do with these bright colors, but 'ya never know when I will want those colors for a project."  The entire box was $10. What a deal!  I picked up the box, paid the lady, and went along my way.  When I got the box home, I started going through it to see what was in my little box of treasures.  I don't know if I was happy or dismayed, but I immediately under the bright skeins of yarn that I thought I was purchasing was 200+ granny squares, several pages out of a magazine with the instructions to an afghan, an even the correct size crochet hook for the project.  I could tell by the partially used skeins of yarn that this was probably the first crochet project this woman attempted.  Her work was flawless, however.  The bad part of the deal is that, by my calculations (and you know I calculated!), she had 80% of the squares finished, and they were correct to the pattern.  She did not, however, weave in any lose ends, ordo any finishing work to any of the squares.  So... I had to honor this woman's work.  I could not rip out all of these squares, and once I discovered what I had actually purchased, the thought of destroying all of her work never crossed my mind. It was not an option.  My only other option is to finish this afghan.  There is byt one problem:  I can knit like a mad man, but I can't (couldn't!) crochet.  Not a stitch.  I had to consult my friendly YouTube.com, and I learned to, minimally, double crochet, so I could put a black edging around these squares before I join them.  I have already spent several week's worth of time weaving in her lose ends.  The photo above was taken immediately after I got home with my unfinished treasure.  Starting with the white-yellow-orange squares (the two that are closest to the viewer in the picture), the squares start with 6 of that pattern...then 14...ad so on, until there should be 72 of the last pattern (the farthest away from the viewer).  The lady that started this afghan had 36 of the final 72 squares to complete, and she quit!  With the exception of edging those squares in black, which I now have mostly finished, and tucking in *any* loose ends, she was much closer to the end of the project than the beginning. "How sad!", I am forced to think.  And the circle of live continues, does it not?  I hope she is in Heaven somewhere, smiling down on me, and that she is content in knowing that the project that she worked so hard to complete accurately in every detail will see it's fruition, and I learned yet another skill.  We both win.
 
Look at all the pretty bright colors in that picture!  Up to this point, the colors that I have used **thus far** in my knitting have been muted and fairly subdued, with a couple exceptions.  There is, however no "over the top" for me.  "The Top" is a prison that a lot of individuals build for themselves, and hope to snare any unsuspecting passing victim that comes close enough to fall into their trap. But that, my friends, is another blog for another day.  I have no "Top", and these colors will definitely find their way happily into my fiber arts.  

The issue at hand:  We are now at a completely different estate sale. Different week. Different sale.  Same art / craft.  I wish I would have made this woman's daughter a deal all 1000 pairs of knitting needles (and I honestly don't need another pair!), and her huge stash of yarn.  I did find several of the Red Heart colors that are in the project that I have before me - the orphaned afghan.  I bought those colors, and several hanks of hand-spun / hand-dyed yarn.  $1 each.  Those hand dyed yarns are anywhere from $15 - $185 each in a retail shop.

While I am venturing down yet another side road, I am starting to get to the point where I need a center-pull yarn ball winder, and a swift so I can correctly and securely wind hanks of hand spun yarns into a usable ball.  I can't tell you how thankful I am that I made the following purchase with a weekly 40% off coupon!  This thing was $89 without the coupon, and I know I would have been extremely pissed if I spent the full $89.  This electric yarn ball winder is extremely weak and underpowered.  The balls it winds are fairly loose, to put it mildly, and you can't get a normal skein of 4 ply yarn all on one ball before you run out of room on the machine, and have to start a new ball (sometimes 3 balls per skein!).

With the exception of winding sock yarn, fingerling or baby weight yarns (and that is a stretch of my good graces!), this machine is worthless:

 

But....I have started pricing umbrella swifts and hand-powered yarn ball winders.  They are at least $200 - for THIS: 

Can somebody build me one of these?  I probably could do it, but my woodworking shop is in parts, sitting in the garage:

 

Here is an up-close pic of this thrifty little device:

Anywho.... Even though I wanted to buy this lady's entire craft room, I had to make a few select choices, and continue with my day.  I did buy some of the identical colors / brands that were used in this afghan I am completing, and I bought the homespun yarns.  I did manage (however unhappy I was!) to unwind the hanks of yarn without a swift, but it was a bit hair-raising, and not a walk in the park.  I placed each carefully untied hank over a full gallon jug of water, so it would have a constant and steady center.  Then I had to hand wind the ball of yarn by leaning over the table, and taking my newly formed ball around and around...and around...and around !  No fun. I want a hand-wound ball winder and a yarn swift.   There is one yarn store in the St. Louis area that sells these things (Knit & Caboodle in the Historic St. Charles area), and besides that location, nobody carries one for sale to the general public.  Many of the privately owned shops do, however, have a winder and swift set up in their shops to wind any yarn you purchase from them. That isn't gonna help me much when I buy 'estate yarn' from a sale.

(I hear the troops in the distance!)

Back to the craft room and the hand-spun yarn I bought.  This yarn was in a large, clear zipped bag, much like one that a comforter or sheet set would come in.  As I was paying the lady at the sale, Mark joked, "Oh, look!  It even comes with a magazine.!"  True enough. There a pattern magazine from the 1980's in this bag.  When I got the yarn home, and was taking a closer look at my treasure, I also found another surprise in the bag:

What is it, you ask?  I'm glad you did!  This is a half-eaten package of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies!  Probably 20 - 25 yrs. old, ya think?  !!!!!

There, you have it!  A woman after my own heart!  She had far more arts and crafts than she ever had time to complete in her lifetime, she had wonderful yarns and magazines, and she liked to eat Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies while she was knitting!

I did my part!  I bought this second-hand half-eaten package of Girl Scout cookies!  I supported our (Girl Scout) troops!  he he he

(Anybody gonna make me a wooden yarn ball winder???)

- Michael

Reality is just a figment of your imagination!

(In good 'Michael-style', I am circling around and I will land this 747 momentarily. This particular blog entry is not at all about music, but I am using music as an example in the beginning, since music is a language that I speak with ease, and in which I am most comfortable.)


Before we begin, let's take a little parallel segway. 


Anybody that knows me at all will know that I have several vintage instruments in my home.  They range from accordions (2), one 1966 Wurlitzer electric piano, a hand-pumped Indian Harmonium, and 3 Hammond organs, two with Leslie speakers.  These are all vintage, analog instruments - nothing digital about them. 


Many people trap themselves in a world of "Either / Or".  For reasons that I will not delve into in this blog, they refuse to allow themselves to see the multiple choices that are often before them.  For example, Oprah Winfrey was shopping with her best friend, Gale King.  They were in a mall store, and Oprah found a pink sweater that she absolutely adored.  A dilemma presents itself when she finds the same sweater in gray on the rack.  Oprah continues the story by saying that she stood there 15 minutes, trying to rationalize "Should I buy the pink sweater, or should I buy the gray sweater."  I personally am enlightened to know that Oprah and most other people that have found fame and fortune have not forgotten their original roots.  At any rate, at one point in the 'Pink / gray' discussion, Oprah looked at Gale and said, "What am I doing?  I am Oprah Winfrey!  I can buy both the pink *and* the gray sweater!"  Michael speaking:  Hell, she could buy the whole damned mall without thinking twice about it!  My point of this little segway is that for a moment, Oprah forgot two things: 1) She has choices 2) She didn't have to make a choice if the didn't want to!  Instead of "Either / Or", I am a big fan of "That and MORE!"


I like the vintage instruments AND the digital side of the music world. I have loads of both, vintage equipment and virtual or digital instruments that are stored only on a computer, but may be accessed through a piano-type keyboard made specifically for that purpose (MIDI).


(Fasten your seat belts and make sure your tray is up!  We are approaching the runway!!!!!)


Please examine the following photographs:

 

I am somewhat of a photographer.  More than an amateur, but I do not get much money for my photos.  I use only a digital camera.  Deleting a photo is much cheaper than buying film!  There is yet another avenue that branches off digital photography's "Main Street". 


The little secret is that *none* of the above photographs are real.  Not a single item in any of these photographs actually exists.  They are not photographs of actual people, animals or objects!  One hundred percent of all the above photographs were digitally constructed using specific (And free!) software.  I am not talking about digital airbrushing, or touching up a photograph.  I am talking about building these objects completely from scratch.  Actually, these items were constructed using the software as 3D objects, and a digital photograph was taken of the items, using the same software that was used to construct each scene. 


We will discuss 4 free modeling, animation and image manipulation programs: Blender, Anim8or, GIMP and Google Sketchup.  I will also provide links that will allow you to download these programs completely free of charge.  They are known as 'open source' programs, and many people that are much farther into computer programming than I ever will be write their own add-ons for these programs.  There are videos and other bits of information about all 4programs on www.youtube.com  , and each program has it's own website that will allow you to download the program, itself, view tutorials and manuals, and download 'items' that range from trees to chairs, and literally anything in between for your scenes. 


As with anything you want to learn and eventually master, you will get out of these programs exactly what you put into them. If you never do your homework and choose not to spend time learning them step-by-step, you will not be pleased with the results.  If you commit a serious amount of time and energy to learning these programs, you will be rewarded with images and animations and you only previously could imagine, and a much greater perception and appreciation for those who choose to to virtual or digital art and animations. 


Don't give me the "I don't have time to do that!" crap.  If you can find time to sit and stare blankly for hours at a TV, live on FaceBook, or fight with your relatives, you defiitely have time to be creative.  No excuses.

First up:


GIMP (Graphic Image Manipulation Program)


Even though it is 'quite a quinkie dink', I didn't name this program!


This program does one thing, but it does it's task using several tools, and it does it well.  This program was created to change your photographs in some fashion, whether it is simple color changes, removing a pimple from your forehead in the photograph, or completely building a scene from scratch.  GIMP can do nothing in the arena of animation.  It's sole purpose is to manipulate or change photographs.


Here is the website to download the free, no-strings attached software:


http://www.gimp.org/


This photograph is a simple example of some of the work that I have done using GIMP:

 

I took this picture at a local cemetery, of a hand on a sculpture above a memorial, and the photo of the background sunrise was taken from my front lawn in St. Louis.

This picture: 

Plus this picture:

= the first picture out of the 3.




With some simple manipulation of the photo of the sculpture's hand, and copy 'n' paste, I produced the above photo.  I also had to make the photo of the hand a bit transparent, so we can see the sunrise through the texture of the hand.  I duplicated the image of the hand, rotated both the original and the copy so that both were facing each other and VOILA!  This is a extremely simple task using GIMP. 


This is another example of a photo alteration in GIMP.  This picture was submitted to me by a friend for restoration.  I did restore the edges of the photo, her lower lip, and the creases on the paper across her face, and those in her hair.  I choose to leave some of the signs of aging on the photo, itself, to leave some authenticity in the photograph.


Before:

 

After:

 

The work I did on this photo took a couple hours, and was done in one evening. I have had cases, however, that required many hours of work over several days.  These things take time and perseverance.  There was no 'quick fix' button for these photos.  I did them piece-by-piece, and even though they are digital, the work was not done automatically, and even though it was accomplished via a computer, it was 'done by hand'.  No automation involved.

One last sample of a simple process using GIMP:  ME!


 

Judging by the small gauges of the rings in my ears, I can determine that this pic was taken about 3 years ago.  The eyes are my own, and are completely unaltered.  I cannot say the same for the horns, ears, nose, chin and eyebrows. The color of the photo, in general, speaks for itself.


I borrowed the antlers from a picture of a real Gazelle mount that I got as a stock photo on-line.  I grew pointed ears, nose, and chin, and those deep, thick eyebrows by using very simple, readily available features of the GIMP software.  My reddish color was obtained by doing a general color gradient over the entire picture before I called my new look 'finished!"


The program "Picazza" is also helpful, and is also free and available for download. I use Picazza interchangeably with GIMP, depending on the task(s) that I need to accomplish.  This program (and PhotoShop, to a degree!) are not near as versatile and useful as GIMP, but they do serve their individual functions well. 


Next up:


Google Sketchup


In a manner of speaking, Google Sketchup is more or less (and in my opinion!) the 3D answer to GIMP.  While GIMP works with flat, 2D images, Google Sketchup can be used to create 3D worlds to illustrate virtually anything your heart desires.  If you have always wanted a way to make your idea for a new chair come into fruition, you can use Sketchup.  You can also use the next two programs, Anim8or and Blender for this same task, but that is another matter for another time.


One major benefit of Sketchup is that when compared to Anim8or and Blender, it's interface is relatively simple to learn, which can be encouraging for beginners.  Another benefit of Sketchup is that their website offers not only the free download, but there are libraries contain thousands of free, downloadable, ready-made objects for you to plug into your scenes and illustrations, if applicable.  One benefit to these downloadable objects is that it will greatly shorten the time it takes to complete your project.  The downside of these downloads are that you aren't really learning how to make these models for yourself, thus somewhat lengthening the time it takes you to learn the program, in general.


 This is the website where you can find the latest, free Sketchup download, and the libraries with the ready-made objects  You will also find instruction / tutorials on this website:


http://sketchup.google.com/


This link will direct you to a search on YouTube, where you will find tutorials and samples of other people's work in Sketchup.  I am certain that if you Bing / Google / Altavista 'Sketchup', you will find a lot more information from other users readily available on the internet:


http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sketchup&aq=f


Anim8or


(The '8' in the middle of 'Anim8or' is not a typo!  It reads: Animator.)


Anim8or's primary purpose is to animate characters, both simple or complex, that you create.  HOWEVER.....  This program can also be used to create virtually any item or object that you can imagine. If you have always wanted to build that engine, or other mechanical device that actually has movement, this program will work for you.  You can also build stationary items, such as furniture, musical instruments, or virtually anything your creative heart desires. 


This is the official link to download the free software for Anim8or.  You will also find helpful tutorials, and 19 galleries of work by other very talented people on this website:


http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html


This is one small, but detailed example of what Anim8or can do for you.  An animation of a Twix candy bar.  Please keep in mind that this entire thing, the wrapper, the candy, and everything in the scene was hand-made by the individual posting this video:
 

This is another video that is another person's take on the things that are possible with Ani8or:

Remember:  Even though this program (as well as the upcoming "Blender") were initially made to put animation into your scenes, here is no law on the books hat says you can't use them to create that fantastic bed room (as is illustrated in the first set of photographs in this blog), or that chair you have always wanted to design.  Granted, Blender is most likely a better platform for detailed illustrations, but both programs have attributes that can broaden the horizons of your design and illustrative world.


The last one on my list:

Blender


Yep. The name of this program is exactly like the kitchen appliance used to make margaritas.


We have previously explored official websites for the last 3 programs: GIMP, Google Sketchup and Anim8or.  All of these websites have available manuals and tutorials for these programs, and Blender is definitely no exception to this rule.  There are, however, differences between the previous 3 programs and Blender.  The most notable and very important difference is that GIMP, Google Sketchup and Anim8or are, as far as rendering and animation programs are concerned, relatively intuitive and with some work applied, they are not too difficult master, if you put the required time into it, and you use available tutorials and samples.  They were created to be easy to use and to master on your own.  The same cannot be said for Blender. Blender was created for professionals, and by professionals.  The downside of this entire deal is that, in this user's opinion, Blender is the most versatile platform mentioned in this blog. It can be used to render 3D objects, with or without animation, and still-life-like photos.  In the beginning of this blog, I presented to my readers 8 photos that started life as a 3D rendered setting by those particular artist, and a digital snapshot was taken using the same software.   Those are fantastic samples of the work that can be rendered using Blender. 


I can ascertain that GIMP, Anim8or and Blender are all 'open source' software.  Users that are so inclined can make plug-ins and other alterations to the software, itself, to better suit their own needs, should they desire to do so.


Blender, however, is not 'intuitive'.  For example, Control-C doesn't copy anything.  Shift-D does.  In every other computer program, the left mouse button selects everything that needs to be selected.  The right mouse button selects and deselects objects in Blender, while the left mouse button has entirely different tasks assigned to it. 


There are tutorials, manuals and samples available on-line for Blender.  I would suggest, however, that you visit either a real-world bookstore, or Amazon.com, Borders.com or Barnesandnobel.com, and purchase one of the books that are available as real-world books to learn Blender.  I have 2 of these books, and they have taught me everything I know thus far about this program. 


The books that I have purchased are:


1) The Essential Blender - Guide to 3D Creation with the Open Source Suite Blender

2) Blender Foundations - The Essential Guide to Learning Blender 2.6 


Of course, Blender versions have progressed past the Blender 2.44 that comes on the CD that is included with the first book I mentioned, The Essential Blender, and even the Blender 2.6 that Blender Foundations (the second book mentioned) covers.  These books are not a waste, however.  They will give you information that includes the basics and beyond, and they will help you to reorient your head into the 'slightly different' world of modeling and rendering using Blender.  The fact that it is counter-intuitive is enough to rationalize spending a few bucks on these books.  It of the fine, twined opinion of this reader that if you learn how to use a tool (software, in this case), properly and efficiently, your chances of having a successful, finished product are greatly increased.  In other words, the clams you shell out for these books are well worth the expense. 


The rendering and modeling capabilities of this software are breathtaking. (Hey!  To each their own, eh?)  If you never plan on rendering even the simplest animation, the modeling capabilities of this software are alone well worth the effort.


As an example, check out this fluid / water simulation.  Remember that the orange character in the beginning of this video is for demonstrative purposes, only.  Wait till a bit later in the video, and watch the gentleman rise up out of the mercury! 
 

I think this is the original meaning of the term ' Debug'.  Remember that everything in this video is completely man-made, and was rendered using Blender:

To give the still-life modeling side of things a fair shake, here is a YouTube search with videos on more stills (other than the 8 that I represented at the beginning of this blog.)  Most of the hits on this search are actual tutorials, or time-lapse demonstrations of modeling using Blender:


http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blender+modeling&aq=f


TO DOWNLOAD BLENDER:
To download Blender, please visit:
(Click the "Download" tabn at the top of this page:)
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/


In Summary: 


There you have it, folks. I just handed you the tubes of paint, the brushes, and the canvas - all in one neat, tidy basket.  However, all the paint, brushes and canvas's in the kingdom can't make anyone an artist. For reasons that I will explain, I hate the word 'patience'.  I have none.  'Patience' is for lazy people who prefer to sit around and wait for something to happen. 'Perseverance' is a more appropriate word.  While 'Patience' is for lazy people who sit around and wait for something to happen, 'perseverance' is a quality that people have who will get up and do something about it!  They will get the work done. If you ask anybody that knows me well, they will tell you that I am not at all a patient person.  But - I do have a hell of a lot of perseverance.   I do with the same for you.  If you take your time, forge ahead step-by-step, and you persevere, you can learn any or all of these programs.  If you are ever trying to describe an idea to a friend, and they 'just can't seem to grasp' what you are telling them (whether they honestly can't understand your point, or they willingly don't want to!), I have given you 4 tools, GIMP, Google SketchUp, Anim8or and Blender, to use to make your digital illustrative thoughts, ideas and dreams come true. If you can dream it, with some practice, you can render it into reality.  


As I stated in the opening section of this blog, I like "This AND That", rather than "Either / Or".  I like the physical world of photography, as demonstrated by my attendance at 5 major nationally recognized art shows in the St. Louis area to see the masterful physical creations of over 1,000 award winning artists from all over the United States and the rest of the world.  Much in the same manner as I would never like to see a real Hammond B3 organ being **replaced** by a digital simulation, I do see a valid place and a market for the digital organs and software simulations of this timeless instrument.  Remember:  "This AND That", not "Either / Or ".  With this same consideration, I would never want to see real, physical art replaced by computerized or digital simulations.  I do, however, think that the digital world is yet another viable medium, much like oil paints, clay, fibers, or any other material that is used by artists that do physical renderings. 


I have given you the virtual materials to create virtually anything you can imagine.  I am encouraging you to do just that - to imagine, to work hard, and to persevere. 


Happy Rendering!


-Michael