I’ve been debating what to write for my next blog post for some time. There have been a few inarticulate ideas kicking around, but nothing inspiring enough to get me in front of the computer. Then, this morning, it hit me. I’m thankful for so many things in my life — not in a Thanksgiving-I-am-thankful-for sort of way — but sincerely thankful that certain things in my life are the way they are. Here is a list (open to tweaking) in no particular order.
Thank God…
I’m not married.
I don’t have a kid.
I have a mom and dad who love me.
I have great friends.
I’m a male.
I’m intelligent.
I’m creative.
I’m my own boss.
I went to college and graduated in 4 years.
I’m going to law school.
I’ve been to Ireland.
I’ve loved at least one person in my life.
I have my awesome car.
I’m not a virgin.
I have no disability.
I am able to run.
I am healthy.
I make/have enough money to pay my bills even in this economy.
Obama is our president.
I have a sense of humor.
I got through a difficult time with alcohol.
I’m not a religious fanatic (not that religion is bad).
I can keep a conversation going.
My sarcasm sometimes goes unnoticed.
I’m artistic.
I can solve a Rubik’s cube.
I can still take the derivative of an equation.
I look really good with a tan.
I don’t take shit from people.
For computers and the entire IT industry.
For movies and the entire movie industry (minus the MPAA — suck my balls)
What caught my eye — almost immediately — was the fact that the image used for the “General Information” menu item was of Ireland’s Powerscourt Garden. Most people wouldn’t notice this, but I did. I was there just 2 years ago, and the unique layout of the garden/walkway set against the unforgettable mountainscape is not something you fail to recognize.
This lead me to question whether it was appropriate for the Home & Flower Show to utilize this image, and more to the point legally, if they’re even authorized to use it. Did the person who built this website take that picture? Did the person who built this website acquire the picture from a stock photography suite? Did they steal it from Powerscourt’s website or another source? Does Powerscourt need to authorize the use of pictures taken of its property if they’re to be used commercially? And, of perhaps less import, does it hinder the advancement of the Home & Flower Show’s mission, which is presumably to advocate the gardens built and maintained here in Ohio. Surely an image of some magnificent garden locally would be better than using an image of gardens thousands of miles away in a country that has no real connection to Ohio.
Of course the benefit of the doubt has to play a role here as it always does. Chances are that the Home & Flower Show does have the right to use the image. Chances are they were simply interested in making their menu look cool by using a picture of a really cool garden. Chances are no one in Ohio (save for me) will even notice this and comment on it.
But, I couldn’t let it go without giving Powerscourt the props it rightly deserves. It’s an amazing place with perfect architectural landscaping, pristinely manicured lawns, hundreds of species of flora and a number of fountains/ponds that stop you in your tracks. I’d like to see a garden like that in Ohio… if it exists.
It’s been nearly a year and a half in the making, but my friends and I finally got our Pi tattoos. Chris Armenio, John Belter, Sean Teller and I went to Smokin’ Tattooz last night (11/29) in Kent and all got inked — some of us for the first time. Noticeably wussing out and NOT getting a tattoo (even though she promised she would) was half-Asian Sarah Scroggy who nonetheless provided event planning services, and moral/emotional support.
The tattoo appears slightly to the left of the center of my wrist, and along my watch band (so it can be hidden when it needs to be). The entire tattoo fits within a 1 inch square. The image on the bottom shows off 3.14 – 3 fingers up, wring finger down (point), pinky finger up for 1and the entire count of up fingers being 4.
Other important attendees during this historic event include: Mike Pavis, Lou Colorito, Katherine Dunn, Matt Coleman, Jeff Zimmerman, Caitin Ganley and Jeff Burk. All of whom looked on as the rest of us endured. Honestly, the needle wasn’t painful at all, and I was expecting much worse.
Why get Pi as a tattoo? I can’t answer for anyone else, but for me I’ve wanted it for a long time. There is beauty in mathematics, and Pi is an important number (ratio) used in calculations that define our world. It’s infinite, never repeats itself, powerful in its simplicity and unique. Pi is God’s number.
Additionally, the Greek letter Pi resembles neolithic Irish dolmens – or altars. Dolmens pepper Ireland, and my dad and I saw a lot on our first visit there. So in that way, my Pi tattoo will help remind me of those fun times.
Some of the dolmens my dad and I saw on our first Ireland trip. Notice how similar dolmens are to the Greek letter Pi?
As you probably already know my name is Art. What’s funny is that when you’re named Art everyone expects you to be good at it. Thankfully for my sake I was/am.
I have always been a good artist and show creativity in everything I do. Art, for me, was an outlet. It allowed me to express myself in a positive way. Starting in 7th grade I began an aggressive art career which culminated in 12th grade by taking AP Art. My desire and dedication in high school to art was marred by a teacher who I didn’t really get along with, but I still stuck it through and got a 4 on my AP portfolio. One class in particular I enjoyed was a computer art course. That was my first exposure to Adobe Photoshop and I immediately saw the potential for what it could offer. Anyway, I mention my art career because it’s still a large part of my life and it’s worth noting.
I still sketch to this day and work with Photoshop nearly every day.
