Not everything is free...

But, sometimes one can find a deal!

The blessing of free stuff is a wonderful event. What am I talking about? If you don't already know, it's Ben & Jerry's Free Ice Cream Cone Offer today.

Yup, even Traveler waited for 15 minutes in line (along with colleagues) to get his scoop of Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream on a cone. Oh, and what a wonderful thing!

It makes up for missing Starbucks' Free coffee offer a couple weeks ago.

Did you get yours?

This morning I have been hearing blurbs and listening to 30-second newscasts about the IRS direct depositing economic stimulus payments today. They started the process a few days earlier than expected. For those (like me), I sent a paper return and I won't start receiving my check until after May 9th.

Oh, rats! That $600 and part of my refund will got to purchase of new camera equipment and starting my new website.

Yes, folks. You heard it here first. Traveler will be creating a photography website. I already have a template, but I need to work on the segments and the navigation parts. I am so looking forward to the development of the site.

Lemonade Time

Rough. Things may not be going well at the office during this time. Business travel has been suspended, but my photo submissions to the Arlington Public Library's juried showcase, "Social Justice", has been accepted.

Last Friday, my old friend and former colleague Melynda and I met for lunch at an Asian restaurant near the office building. We have known each other since she was in high school, when she visited my college as a prospective freshman. So long ago...

I did not realize that I needed to get away from the office for some personal time, until we talked at length. I got some relief out of that. Then, I thought that I needed to take more time off.

Last Saturday, Cyndy and I went to the office building where the Artomatic 2008 showcase will be held, and we examined the space and made measurements. I did not realize how much planning and expenses were needed for a mere 8 x 12 exhibit space....At least, I now have some idea about the display.

Last Sunday, Alexis and I met for lunch at the local Arlington IHOP for some fellowship time. It was great to see her, talk about the latest events, and commissurate on the latest mishaps in our lives.

Also, this morning I got a surprise call from Roz Poz. Roz never calls! So, that made my day!

I will be honest. It was great to get some female attention, even if they were with friends. Oh, you know what I mean.

More details on the photography stuff will be posted soon. It looks like things are swinging upward, at least for the moment.

Art exhibition considerations

Now that I am registered to exhibit at Artomatic 2008 the hard part has begun.

I'm considering the following titles as themes to the exhibit space: "The color of mercy" or "The color of compassion"

I may or may not letter the themes to the top of the exhibit space. Another thought is to paint letters of my name to the partition. In consideration that the 8 x 12 space is not so large to display a great number of images. Various orange colors painted to the wall can (I hope) entice visitors to the exhibit space. (One large paint can should do the trick.) Something intense to say, "Caution" or "Be Careful" or "Be aware". It is supposed to be something similar to an orange yield signs in construction sites.

The images will be directed as "social justice" or "social documentary" type of images. Six to 9 images along the wall will be installed. Black thin frames, and black, gray, or off-white matting to emphasize the intense background color.

Depending on the other exhibitors stationed near my wall space, a black carpet may be included.

Overall, the cost/expense for this exhibition is a priority. That's all for now.

Who knows. I may change my mind. It is still in the conceptual stage (brainstorming).

News in review: Democratic candidates attend The Compassion Forum; Obama's Pastor gives sermon in Norfolk, VA

Last night, the two Democratic candidates for President attended a faith forum at Pennsylvania's Messiah College as they reached out (read: fight for) to delegates and state voters. Both candidates talked separately about God's presence in their lives, abortion, abstinence, and human rights in relation to faith. Also, Obama was asked again about the remarks of his ex-pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. You can read more about the forum after clicking on the link.

Unfortunately, Republican candidate John McCain did not participate in the forum. If you missed the live event on CNN, the Church Communication Network (CCN) will host a broadcast on April 20, the Sunday before the Pennsylvania primary

Barack Obama's ex-pastor gave his first sermon at Methodist Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA since the the furor began when he was cited by the news as causing controversy over sermon remarks. By the way, he has been selected as a key speaker for Detroit's NAACP Annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner. More details found here.

It's all about the art, man!

Artomatic 2008 will start shortly next month. If you don't know about this art venue, it is a month-long multimedia arts event that draws together visual artists, musicians and performers and brings their work to the local area without charge.

In other words, Artomatic provides a forum for the Washington DC area's artists to convene, perform and exhibit, strengthening the visibility, cohesion, and marketplace of Washington's arts community, with minimal expenses to the artists as well.

Last year, I attended this free event on a weekend with my friend C. She and I loved it so much to see these art exhibits that we were excited about attending the next annual Artomatic event. She asked if I would take part next year. My reply, "I would love to do that", thinking that it would not happen.

Well, a year later, I have registered as a 2-D artist and and selected my wall space where I can show off some photography images. Not until I arrived to the building orientation did I realize that there was a competition for the larger spaces. I was fortunate to catch the last exterior 8 x 12 wall partition on the 11th floor. The interior wall spaces were slightly smaller.

Now I struggle what to do with the space.

* Which photos to display (color, black and white, or abstract/minimal)?
* What kind of theme to tie in (social documentary, street photography, or architectural)?
* How to display the pieces (colored versus neutral backgrounds, whether to include furniture and/or carpet)?
* Etc., etc...

Next week starts the installation of my exhibit space. After signing up for Artomatic and picking a specified space, I just realized how much more time and effort goes to art exhibitions.

I am thankful to God for exposure to exhibit marketing and promotions at the workplace. That skill has helped me with this "art space" evaluation and preparation.

Also, I want to admit that I got such a rush after I chose my space. Yeah, I am excited.

And, I have not been excited in a very long time.

Life can be very hard. It can get even harder when you stray or run away intentionally or unintentionally from the righteous path. There can be shame, depression, discouragement. Even at times, when one wants to do the right thing, the hurdles (or walls) seem unsurmountable.

Although we make mistakes in our lives, believe that God can pull you through. God is bigger than anything that we ever do, bigger than anything that man can ever do, and bigger than any errors, mistakes, inequity, or sin. Read Psalms 55:8-11 as an example.

Believe by walking upright.
Believe by walking in faith.
Believe by standing tall through the mire.

Tomorrow will be a different day.

Scripture of the Day: Exodus 33:19 (New International Version)


¹⁹ And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Through it all

The days are getting longer. That means spring is finally arriving. It also means for me that the struggles will get harder. With God's presence and prayers and support from family and friends, I will get through it.

Even if or when I fall...

God is a faithful God. He will never forsake me. That is what a relationship with Christ does. The relationship sustains me, and I can look forward to the future.

Scripture of the Day: Romans 3:3-4 (New Living Translation)

³True, some of them were unfaithful;
but just because they were unfaithful,
does that mean God will be unfaithful?
⁴ Of course not!
Even if everyone else is a liar,
God is true.
As the Scriptures say about him,

“You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court.”