The Out Takes....

Now that "Jimmy Jack Gets a New Job" is out and a second printing is in the works I thought I would post some of the images that were not used.  I did a considerable amount of drawing to get things just like I wanted-I am particular or just peculiar.  These drawings represent maybe 2nd to 3rd generations of drawings done on trace paper.  I hope you enjoy.

 My Friend Todd Ivins will enjoy the one above-inside joke.

  I loved that TV when I was a kid, circa 1972.

  Ahhhhh

 Kathleen Choe's personal FAV

  This could be used again for sure.

I really like this one as it was one of the "new jobs" Jimmy Jack was dreaming of in anticipation of the job his Pops would assign him.

Stay tuned, In late February I should have the second story about Jimmy Jack ready to go. Keep your fingers CX'd and wish me luck.

HaPpY HoLiDaYs!

Ixmas Cards

I love making my own "Ixmas Cards".  I get tons of joy out of creating them.  I have stuck to a tradition of NYC based themes.  This is one of my FAVs but aren't they AWL.

Love to draw and paint/render, whatever you want to call it.  This idea of art came from my love of the "Peanuts" Comic Strip.  At one time as a young boy I started developing a dog like Snoopy as a character.  Well days have gone by along with the years and now I have a wonderful gift of joy to spread with my book "Jimmy Jack Gets a New Job".  I am excited about the many possibilities and blessings that might come from sharing my gift with you.  

I am currently working on this years Holiday Card.  Hopefully it will arrive soon in your mailbox or on FB.  But until then, spread the "glad tidings of Joy and Peace".   

Self Promotion…..?

Okay, I am not the most outgoing person (a bit timid) and for me to go into shops on Main Street in Spring Lake and meet strangers-well it took courage.  But you know, I began to feel really good about this adventure.  Eventually I went back to see if the posters were up and most were.  Some of the Shop keepers had to ask the owner, etc.

Seeing posters in the windows of "The Village Tweed", "The Variety Store" and "Jean Louise Candies" gave me a sense of real accomplishment.  I enjoyed the experience mostly because I rode my bike and I used my acting class skills to conjure a character who fit the scenario.  The most gratifying thing is to see my talent on display for all to enjoy.  You should have seen the clerk's faces when I showed them the poster.  Their faces lit up like children when they are most happy and content.  Maybe I transported them back to a time when life was easier and they might have had a dog like "Jimmy Jack".

I guess in a way I did my good deed for the day, being a former "Life" Boy Scout.  In the end I am promoting happiness and good feelings. Assisting those to find "happy places" in their lives to reflect upon. P.T. Barnum I am not, I am just Todd-timid-Potter but sure that I am doing something good on this earth while I walk and ride it.

(A BIG Thanks to Kathleen Choe for creating the Posters and the clip below-she has been awesome and so supportive.  Hey I cannot do all this by myself!)

What do I wear?

I am working on a job out of town, Springfield Missouri.  I have been painting, and tonight building parts of my set I designed.  I reacquainted myself with sawdust and shop dirt-not to mention "shop buggers".  And I am about to run out of clothes.  I am having the dilemma that my book character "Jimmy Jack" is having; although his is due to vanity.  "What do I wear?"  I am running out of clothes and no time to wash things.  Tonight I bought some Woolite and I plan to wash all my quick-drying things tomorrow morning and hang them up.  I just don't have the time in my schedule to go to a laundry-mat. And I hate running around smelling like the shop and general dust/dirt.  

I will resort to the bathtub like I do when out of town on a ride or race.  Put my wet clothing in  a towel.  Roll it up and then twist it to squeeze out excess water.  This works great and my kits and base layers dry fast.  So, in a day I will not have a fashion crisis like "Jimmy Jack".  He is worried about his appearance on his first day of his new job.  I am concerned about looking neat and clean; not homeless.

By the way, this past Monday I sent my book; "Jimmy Jack Gets a New Job" to the printers to create a hard and soft back version.  I will check quality and color matching.  If all goes according to schedule, I should have books by mid December to sell.  I am so excited.  I have worked on this on and off for 2 years.  Cannot wait!

"Potter Speak"-You know what I am saying?

Do ever get this look from a friend or your best furry friend, like Jimmy Jack above?  Those sad eyes and look of bewilderment with a dose of "what the heck are you talking about?"  I experience these on a very regular schedule from students and colleagues.  I guess I speak a foreign language at times-"Potter speak".  My friend, another Todd (the tother-Todd) says that is "Todd being Todd."  That is all good, but I want my students and colleagues to comprehend.  It is so important in the process of communication and task accomplishments.  If you have no clear course of action how can you finish with a sense of "well done".  Frustration sets in and then you follow a path that is not true and full of detours only to arrive at your destination in an awkward way.

Well I just want you AWL to know that I am trying hard to break it down so you can get the information and go about your business.  If I don't understand something I ask and I try very hard to transpose it into my thought process and "Todd speak".  But as I tell people, "you don't want to try to understand how I think and process things.  Take what you can and then develop your own process which arrives at the same destination in the completion of a task.  The way I learned how to read a scale ruler in Stage Craft Class was so backwards, but I still could measure and read the drawings.  The scenery did not suffer.  Finally my Brother asked me what I was doing and I explained.  He said, "try this" as he rotated the scale rule to the correct side/scale.  It was, like a HUGE light bulb went off in my head.  And a feeling like, why did I not understand that in the beginning.  As they say here back east- "you know what I am saying?  You know what I mean?"  Oh and it is about 12 times in 2 minutes they say that phrase.

So next time you do understand "Todd speak", let me know and I will try to break it down in a way you can understand and feel confident.  You know what I am saying?  You know what I mean?

Your Reward Points Need to be Redeemed

Well another email today about how many reward points I am stacking up.  But yet, it takes a life-time to figure out how to cash in these rewards on items posted on a website associated with the financial institution. Why is it so hard to actually obtain the items. Find the item in very general categories, then select it, go to your "cart" and then type in the points needed.  Oh then you need to give your mailing address and choose a shipping preference. 

And, the things you want most are just a few reward points away.  So you need to spend more money to generate  those points.  Frustrating to say the least and not even worth it in the end.  As I say "going broke saving money."

Life is simple with our dog. Treats are rewards and rewards are treats.  The Pupperooni is not dumb and she knows what to do to get her cookie (low calorie and healthy) or carrot stick.  Most of the time all I say is "what do we do?" She sits down like it is a musical chair competition.  And really it is not the words she understands so much as the tone and rhythm.

I would love if getting these reward points cashed in was associated with a simple command like- sit, speak, beg and give us your user name and password to your online checking account.  Because in the end, they have their hand in your pocket-Yikes!

So the next time you or I get an email about reward points, just ignore them and spend time teaching your pet tricks-it is way more rewarding in the end.

p.s. Jimmy Jack above understands the process, which will be fully realized in the book I am about to publish.

Theater Tech is an Endurance Sport

Boy am I tired!  Some of you know I work in the "thee-ate-ore" as a Set Designer; my REAL job. Oh, side bar-that is not how you spell Theater.  But back when I was a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Central Missouri University, a student stopped and asked me how to spell Theater; they phonetically said it like "Thee + Ate + Ore".  So I guess it is "re" instead of "er".  Anyway I love to say it that way-remember I am  "T" with and "Odd".

Back to being so tired.  I thought I was "really spent" after doing 2 days of the KMC Cyclocross Festival here in Providence.  I had no idea that Theater Tech was an endurance sport.  There are no places to find recovery; no long straightways and not many down hills.  It is ALL technical stuff that keeps you on the "gas" from 8:30 am to sometimes 12:30 am.  It is a combination of physical, mental and psychological.  In this sport the "fly-overs", barriers and short steep ascents are HUGE and demand much energy.  There are no intervals that can prepare you for such an experience.  Yet each day after so little sleep I wake up and head towards to the local coffee chop to get caffeinated and some "fuel".  I am then ready to take the new "course" on again.  

I would love to be able to sleep perchance to dream like my little friend above-"Jimmy Jack". Nothing like a good rest with your favorite things and loved ones near.  I am looking forward to that "sleepy-sleeping" time next week.  My recovery plan is eat well and get hydrated.  Because in 2 more weeks I will be doing it all over again in another part of the country.  So I better get rolling today, go to the hardware store and then enter the Stage Door for another day of expending energy.  I guess I need to inform those in charge of this production that Masters 55+ Theatre is only a 45 minute race, not 14-16 hours. WE all finish on the the same lap as the leaders.  So, Mr. Potter needs to get to "Werk" and endure until I hear the bell for "one to go".

Rewards!?!  I have so many reward points for Credit Cards and Hotel Clubs and never cash these in.  Why?  Well it takes so much time to find something that fits the price range and they always show you something you really want, but no enough points to purchase.  This is such a scam.  But I sign up because I supposedly am saving money.  Well I say as I check out at "the Art Store on Bond Street Dick Blick slash Utrecht", "going broke saving money".

The Pupperooni hears the word Reward and she thinks Treats and so did 'Jimmy Jack' you see above.  We AWL look forward to Rewards/Treats in life and they are hard to earn and slow to cash in for the goodies.  Life is full of Rewards/Treats if you slow it down and breathe.  Take for instance a lazy day with your significant other or good friend, enjoying the slow pace reading the  NY Times and sipping coffee; a leisurely morning.  Or the hour after work at night when AWL are home and just relaxing sipping a glass of wine and talking about plans for the weekend or accomplishments at work. 

Life can be a huge Treat and Reward when you take the time to slow the pace down and enjoy the simplicity of it all.  It is like fishing early in the morning and it is you, nature and the sound of the water that lulls you into a zen state of mind.  The air is cleaner as you breathe and all your cares in life are miles away.  Now that is the way to travel through life.  Amen.

If  you like the illustration above, it is one of 30 in a book I wrote for children soon to be out for the public.                                  "Jimmy Jack Gets a New Job"

I recently participated in the "Tour de Cure" Jersey Shore-rode the 100K route or 62.3 miles to those who are metric challenged-it is a math thing.

Whilst I was amongst varying levels of cyclists-NOT bikers, we don't ride Harley's-I saw many beautiful things.  Monmouth County NJ can be very lovely on a beautiful pre-autumn day.  It is very rolling at times and scenic.  The one thing that intrigued me the most was the wild life I saw up close and personal.  And I am not talking about the motorists who were driving like they were giving away money at the local bank.  I was a bit nervous about the volume and close proximity of the traffic.  I ride in New York City, so why should I be concerned?  Well I was on many levels and definitely aware of the swooshing cars going by-YIKES!

Back to Flora and Fauna-I saw many Deer who seemed emotionally okay with their new natural predator-the automobile.  At one time a Deer was running so close to me I thought-stay in your lane HOLD your line "Deerie".  

But the one thing that intrigued me the most  was the beautiful Red Fox (there are gray and white ones you know) who sprinted across the road about 20 meters in front of me.  When he or she crossed they stopped, sat down and looked at me.  I whistled to it like I would Cairo, my dog.  We seemed to be connected for a moment in time as fellow mammals.  It was one of those experiences you have in life where you know we are ALL connected.  Like the time in Edinburgh Scotland when I walked into a shop and caught the eye of the attendant and I felt like she knew me and I knew her from somewhere in time.

Well that Fox and I had a moment.  It made my ride for sure.  It was no much larger than Cairo and was fiery in color-just magnificent.  As I made my way past and got closer it slowly turned and ran into the wooded area.

If our natural animals are losing their natural habitats and dealing more and more with vehicles and keeping one paw in front of disaster on the road, why am I such a "Nervous Nellie".  I too, feel like the cyclists are losing their position in the great movement of people and things on our roadways.  How can I summons the courage to be amongst the traffic and stay calm like that Fox and the Deer?  My only thought is that they do not worry about their life span-just survival in their own Darwinian way.

So next time I am out there "amongst them there English" I will pray that my guardian Angels surround and protect me from any harm.  And I will pray for the Fox and his friend, the Deer.  I hope they will be safe as they transverse the roadways and paths of modern life.

Who Rescued Who?

I bet you have seen the bumper sticker that states, "Who Rescued Who".  Well I can relate.

I met this small, shy rescue right after one of my first Cyclocross races.  She was timid and was looking to get back to her comfort spot in the kennel.  She had been snatched from the killing floor at the ASPCA in Monmouth County.  Nobody had claimed her after she was found roaming around NJ Highway 34.  She had been out on the run or dumped for at least 3 weeks.  I knew that when my wife saw her and held her, it was over with-she was coming home as soon as possible.  And I have to admit I was smitten with her shy charm and slight interest.  That is her personality, cautious when meeting strangers and reluctant to be left behind.

Now Cairo (we named her after Miguel Cairo the utility infielder), seems like she has been with us since she was born.  The Pupperooni as I call her is full of joy and has a big appetite for such a small little pup. She can talk and purr when she wants to be noticed.  Cairo loves to play in the morning and at night.  And totally sleeps most of the day, sometimes with one eye open-not to miss anything.  At 8:45 pm she is in her bed ready to take a long snooze--boy can she snore.

For me Cairo can do anything-she is a Gr-8! friend, quiet when I am working, a playmate, a  security alarm, supportive at the races and she spreads joy to all who see this eternal puppy; as we say.  Most of all she is has the ability to make me happy like a child.  I whistle a tune she knows when I am riding and doing painful intervals to take my mind to a state of fun.  I think of her in tough situations.  I feel her presence when I am alone and out of town.  If she was a human I am sure she would be a world class athlete, musician, great state-person, and a healer.

Yes, on that November day; that started with peanut butter mud, high grass and a huge effort for a man just 1 year and 8 months after open heart surgery-I met a friend for life.  The Pupperooni soothes my soul and heals my mental wounds.  She has the ability to forget and move on to a "happy place" not dwelling on the negative.  This is something I am learning from her to make my life more bountiful and enriched with positive energy, always moving forward.  

She rescued Me.  And it is a work in progress.

In search of intelligent life on the Hudson Bike Path

Recently I had a mishaps on the Hudson Bike Path near Laight Street.  It was my second close encounter this year and in the past 4 years I had a crash in that area. Once again I took a great tumble and hit the tarmac hard because of lack of communication from runners and cyclists.  If you have never had a high speed crash on the bike, well it is- let's say, not fun.  The outcome both times could have been bad, but I escaped real injury.  Although my wrist still is a bit tender and my head is still about fuzzy at times.

I am ALL for exercise and having fun.  I think it is great that ridership has grown enormously in the past 2 years with the Citi Bike Program and warmer weather.  But WE as a collective group using these bike "super highways" must learn to communicate.  Verbal is always great and definitely hand signals if you know them make a HUGE difference.  You can't turn slowly on the bike path from the far right and make a left hand turn-its called "T-bone" to the Spandex clad group.  Then we have a problem "Houston".  Flying over your handle bars is interesting but there is not a soft mat to absorb the shock.  I am not floating in antigravity like an astronaut in the Space Shuttle.  And when you hit your head as hard as I did, well stars are gonna twinkle in your blurred vision.

If you were in a car, would slow down in the far right lane on I-95 and make a left--disaster and mayhem will ensue.  So use you common sense. Telegraph what you are gonna do-hand signals, looking over your shoulder to check the coming traffic. Yes-thank you!  Join a group ride and you will learn for sure-you can ride with me and my CRCA/hatchmap Cycling Team; we will teach you and won't drop you.

In a Cyclocross race I pull over if the Masters 35 plus crowd is going to lap me in order to promote safety and not to impede the race for those who are actually going to win and receive gas money for driving 2 hours out of there way to receive pain and torture.  Well that is for another day to discuss.  But as a good sport and an unwritten rule you move over and wait; either rolling or at a full stop.

So please, please think of your fellow cyclists on these paths and communicate.  I know you are in your endorphin state of mind rolling on the road like an 8 year-old; I am too but I am doing 18-20 mph.  If you use hand signals I will slow down.  And by the way I bought one of those annoying bells and I am not afraid to "bling-bling" that thing until you get the message along with my verbal communication and hand signals.  

Post No. 1 - Why don't people send personal thank you notes anymore?

Personalized Thank You Notes are special.

I recently made a Thank You Card from a book illustration I did and sent it to the people who attended my 57th birthday.  Yes it was a bit tardy, but they love to get my cards because they are so personal and original.  The reason I am writing today is that I received a Thank You via email and I was like- What!?!  You couldn't afford a stamp an envelope and a piece a paper?  Then I thought maybe that person is not creative (they are) and they just did not have time to go to the local stationary store or Hallmark and get some generic Thank You notes. After my initial- WHAT, I decided it was there way of say Thank You in that moment in time.

We live in a busy world and the pace is quick like the peloton trying to chase down a  breakaway with one lap to go in Central Park.  But it only takes a few minutes to sit down and write "Thank you for your gift or the dinner-whatever it may be. I guarantee that the person on the receiving end will cherish your labor and effort.  Not to mention if we "AWL" start making and writing more Thank You notes the US Postal Service might stay in business.