FIGHT OR FLIGHT at the AirDance ArtSpace

Breaking the Rules

BREAKING THE RULES

"We all make rules for ourselves. It's these rules that help define who we are. So, when we break those rules, we risk losing our selves and becoming something unknown." 

                       Dexter Morgan 

 In my own way I have created a space where there are no rules but love for art and fornication. Found artifacts and fancifully chaotic pieces stand in an area filled with the runnings of rabbits. Providing shade and suitable space for underground warrens, my backyard bunny garden called, BunnytownUSA is a monument to breaking the rules and a cheer for 'outsider artists' of all makes and models.

In truth, I began my own personal journey of Breaking the Rules began when I broke out of my mother's womb very prematurely. Shooting out a light bulb at the A&P with a slingshot, lighting matchboxes on fire in the carpool zone, shooting lizards and sparrows with bb's all went down as deeds of the miscreant who was to become a member of two Honor Councils, a teacher, an Administrator, and generally speaking a rule enforcer.

It was straight out of College, where I successfully avoided the Draft Lottery and received Honors in English at a school where smart folks wore black academic gowns to class, when I became an enforcer of rules as Dean of Students in a large North Florida preparatory school. No light-colored socks, no sideburns or long hair, no drinking alcohol or smoking evil weed on campus. I even for a time lived in that school's dormitory where my duties as enforcer of the rules got extended to 24-7 status. 

I had a cat then, named Dorian. No one could smell anything other than kitty litter in that closet where I often enjoyed late night smokes, myself breaking the rules I was set out to enforce. And my most fun memory as 'Dean of Students' was that night the other Dean and I set up Cherry bombs with cigarette fuses to pop off across campus while we watched from a tall tower that used be part of the Flagler Hotel system now a school campus. The security guard, a hefty Irishman named Carney, ran from spot to spot where the Cherries bombed and from that tower no one was allowed to enter, we had a good laugh.

I voted for Nixon back in the day. Maybe that was a last toast to my parents. Even Neil Young liked Ronald Rayguns at one time. My lone vote for Tricky was the last time I knelt to the elephants in the room. I was a 'Poet for Peace' and spoke against many. Now I listen to the words of Steve Earle which sadly ring true…"I remember when we was both out on the boulevard/ Talkin' revolution and singin' the blues/ Nowadays it's letters to the editor and cheatin' on our taxes/Is the best that we can do" .

Breaking the rules got me caught once for shop lifting a 98 cent Rolling Writer pen in Tacoma, Washington where I had moved in order to never teach again but rather to become a famous second to my hero, Raymond Carver or a third to his wife, Tess. My penchant for breaking the rules led to my many writerly pursuits being flat out rejected. My rule-breaking success at publication has been let's just say, bereft.

When my wife and I bought a wrecked house in a dark neighborhood, we broke the rules and became pioneers in our 'hood. It was many years ago, that I created our contribution to "One per cent for the Arts" in our rundown neighborhood. It became a beacon of light complete with art and rabbits. 

Even now I am breaking the rules at BunnytownUSA as our creative brethren number more than fifteen. Until homes can be found for the many little lagomorphs, that's the way it goes.  My freak flag still flies. Who knows, maybe I'll grow a beard. Let my thinning hair grow out a bit. For now, it's time to feed the rabbit hoards.

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FULL BLUE MOON

FULL BLUE MOON 

New Mexico

(August 1 and August 31, 2012)

A Full Blue Moon shown over New Mexico's enchanting landscape.View encompasses the Sandia Mountains, Manzano Mountains, Albuquerque Studios, Pavilion Amphitheater, and Mesa Del Sol.

2005 Chrysler Crossfire under the Moon.

Albuquerque's AirDance ArtSpace under the Full Blue Moon.

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Ziggy Marley: ABQ Bio Park

A light monsoon rain came pre-show and 'behaved perfectly' for the show providing a 'cool' night at the New Mexico Bio Park outdoor venue in Albuquerque for Ziggy Marley... No opener; straight Ziggy and crew for almost three hours. 
Kudos to the City of Albuquerque for bringing Ziggy Marley to the Land of Enchantment.



From our lawn spot.

Ziggy!


Sweet and simple lighting; great sound; great venue.





Ziggy Marley


View from center stage..."...who got the power?!"


You go, grrrl.


A quick pan of the happy crowd.

Happy Campers after the show!

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BALLOON OVER BUNNYTOWN

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is known the world over as the largest gathering of Hot Air Balloons anywhere...It always takes place the first two weeks of October when New Mexico is at its most beautiful. Each of those two weekends, provide startling mass ascensions along with daily activities in the early morning and at sunset during the week. It is in the cool of autumn mornings that the "Albuquerque Box" best works allowing for balloonists to take off in one spot, float silently eastward toward the Sandia Mountains, and be gently brought back to the same area that the took off from for safe landings.

However there are companies that offer balloon rides year round as well such as Rainbow Ryders of Albuquerque.  On a recent June morning the unmistakable sound of gas being shot up into the envelope of a passing balloon woke me and our Schipperkes up...The balloon seemed to be lower than usual as it passed over BunnytownUSA and in fact, ended up landing a block away in the midst of our neighborhood.

Here are some photographs of the fun and surprising event...

Hot Air Balloon and BunnytownUSA

Hot Air Balloon touches down at St. Francis Xavier Church.

Hot Air Balloons open their tops to let out hot air on landing.

Soon to open the traditional bottle of a.m. champagne, 

the crew and passengers will soon celebrate a soft landing. 

--photographs courtesy Aquila Arts LLC and © 2012 Jeff Hartzer--

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JULY FIRST TWENTY TWELVE

Liv Tyler celebrates her 35th birthday today and the hottest June on record is thankfully over. The planet turns with a good bit of it either on fire, flooded, or downright in turmoil. Wall Street ended June with a bang celebrating European Bail Outs of the so-called, PIGS, -- Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain -- or at least several of those bovine spenders. In this short firecracker week, we will see if the tides remain blissfully full of green on the Street. June has both swooned and swolen.

Albuquerque and New Mexico have suffered wildfires that made the national news only to be eclipsed by even bigger fires raging out of control in Colorado and now, Wyoming and Montana. Meanwhile, most of Florida was underwater for a time with a mere Tropical Depression named, Debby, which took its long sweet time to cross over the Sunshine State.

Twenty Twelve continues to bring records of odd proportions with the winter that wasn't and the summer that was . Record breaking heat and just as June ended a hurricane force wind without the warning slow moving 'canes provide, took out power and has caused death and mayhem (thanks for ruining this word, Allstate) in the mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and the District of Columbia. And the real stormy heat of July/August is yet to come.

Many were surprised that the U.S. Supremes made the decision to uphold Obama's Health Care legislation. Many were surprised as well at the overwhelming decision to condemn Jerry Sandusky for his unconscionable acts on young boys. Despite the uproar of the loudest foxy news sources, some things are happening which are 'very innerestin' in our country today. Politically much is in store for the remainder of this formative year. Ironically, Obama is ruled the best president to deal with an Alien invasion  just prior to his announcement about alien children born in the USA being allowed to stay. Will it be Obama or Romney who leads us through the day of 12/21/12 when the Mayan Calendar runs out..?

At midnight last night one second was added to the Atomic Clock by the world's timekeepers whoever they be. Our planet is slowing apparently. Is obesity to blame? Overpopulation? Forest fire smoke? No matter...Each day now, the light grows dimmer by a minute as we move toward autumn and winter in the midst of our summertime blues.

So here's a big Happy Birthday to Liv Tyler with big kudos, and birthday wishes as well to the United States of America. Keep on keeping on...truckin' too.

Love this June photograph from Jacksonville's Florida Times-Union . 

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