African Dream

I painted this table cloth for a friends about two years ago, and this morning I was just thinking/dreaming about it and thought I'd put it up. This truly was one of my best work, well including the illustrations for my books :)

Jury Duty

So this is rather funny. I received a Jury summons in the mail... I've always wanted to get one, but knew that I wouldn't, but I guess if you have a drivers license you get summons for jury duty. I sadly still can't go because I'm not a citizen, but it was cool to get it in the mail. I'm gonna put it in my scrapbook :)

Crash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ra6uehvngg

I had an assignment for my sociology class, and with so much discrimination in our world felt the need to share my paper...

The plot of this incredible movie is that several stories interweave during two days in Los Angeles involving a collection of inter-related characters, a police detective with a drugged out mother and a thieving younger brother, two car thieves who are constantly theorizing on society and race, the white district attorney and his irritated and pampered wife, a racist white veteran cop (caring for a sick father at home) who disgusts his more idealistic younger partner, a successful Hollywood director and his wife who must deal with the racist cop, a Persian-immigrant father who buys a gun to protect his shop, a Hispanic locksmith and his young daughter who is afraid of bullets, and more. (Imdb)

When I first saw this movie in a cinema while visiting New York City, I remember walking out into the streets after an intense two hours and looking at others around me differently. I didn’t know where they come from, what makes them who they are, or why they crossed my path at hat particular point in time. In the end reflecting on the entwined lives of all these characteristics, I couldn’t help but notice how we affect other people’s lives without knowing it. Race is such a derogatory factor in this motion picture, that it shook me to the core. I have always believed myself that one should not judge another, as one does not know them. In the end one sees in this Oscar winning depiction such a great example of the unknown aspects out there that changes so many others lives every single day. The heartbreaking moment when the little girls runs outside to protect her father, because he did not have his impenetrable cloak on; and possibly could have been shot had the shop owner’s daughter not bought blank bullets, made me shiver. This eye opening scene together with all the other events that unfolded in this depiction of life as we know it, simply shows the imperative need for change. I would suggest we look at the way we raise our children!

The moral of this movie for me was certainly that one should not discriminate. Every day someone dies because of discrimination, so one should really think about the next time one discriminates against anybody else, because one simple thought can lead to possible unfathomably horrible events.

The Many Errors in Thinking About Mistakes

New York Times

By ALINA TUGEND

Published: November 24, 2007

As children we’re taught that everyone makes mistakes and that the great thinkers and inventors embraced them. Thomas Edison’s famous quote is often inscribed in schools and children’s museums: “I have not failed. I have just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.”

On the other hand, good grades are usually a reward for doing things right, not making errors. Compliments are given for having the correct answer and, in fact, the wrong one may elicit scorn from classmates.

We grow up with a mixed message: making mistakes is a necessary learning tool, but we should avoid them.

Carol S. Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University, has studied this and related issues for decades.

“Studies with children and adults show that a large percentage cannot tolerate mistakes or setbacks,” she said. In particular, those who believe that intelligence is fixed and cannot change tend to avoid taking chances that may lead to errors.

Often parents and teachers unwittingly encourage this mind-set by praising children for being smart rather than for trying hard or struggling with the process.

For example, in a study that Professor Dweck and her researchers did with 400 fifth graders, half were randomly praised as being “really smart” for doing well on a test; the others were praised for their effort.

Then they were given two tasks to choose from: an easy one that they would learn little from but do well, or a more challenging one that might be more interesting but induce more mistakes.

The majority of those praised for being smart chose the simple task, while 90 percent of those commended for trying hard selected the more difficult one.

The difference was surprising, Professor Dweck said, especially because it came from one sentence of praise.

They were then given another test, above their grade level, on which many performed poorly. Afterward, they were asked to write anonymously about their experience to another school and report their scores. Thirty-seven percent of those who were told they were smart lied about their scores, while only 13 percent of the other group did.

“One thing I’ve learned is that kids are exquisitely attuned to the real message, and the real message is, ‘Be smart,’” Professor Dweck said. “It’s not, ‘We love it when you struggle, or when you learn and make mistakes.’”

As we get older, many of us invest a great deal in being right. When things go wrong, as they inevitably do, we focus on flagellating ourselves, blaming someone else or covering it up. Or we rationalize it by saying others make even more mistakes.

What we do not want to do, most of the time, is learn from the experience.

Some funnies :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3Rw_3ky-uo

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

What a great Thanksgiving Day I had. In short Alyson & I joined the rest of the gang at Heather's Townhouse in Basalt, where we all pitched in and cooked. Now, even though I did not know that you do NOT eat salad in a traditional Thanksgiving meal, everybody did seem to like that little extra dish I prepared. I tell you the food was amazing!!! We had Brad's Mac & Cheese, Mark's Potatoes and Schwetty Balls, Heather's sweet potato dish, green bean casserole, Alyson's Pineapple stuffing, the best Turkey ever... and the forgotten cranberry sauce. AND for desert, Heather made the most amazing Kentucky Derby pie with chocolate chips, and off course the very traditional Pumpkin Pie. For 6 people there were 5 pies made... We have so many left overs, and I sure hope it lasts a while, because I can't see food right now...
After the delicious meal, and good old South African wine, we all relaxed and started playing catch phrase for almost 5 hours... I had so much fun, it was a blast. Thank you all for making this the best and memorable Thanksgiving in my life so far, even though it was only my 4th ever...

The pictures below are in now particular order, there were so many I just put them in randomly... enjoy!


The team - Mark, Heather, Brad, Alyson & I (Stave took the pic)

Checking on all the food... That's a lot!!!

Heather hard at work on the Sweet Potato Pie

Okay, I have to say this was the best all night... Mark and his Schwetty Balls

Chef Brad, hard at work.

CHEERS EVERYBODY!!

Alyson & Heather checking on the pies...

Well, we've got to have some wine now.

Brad & Steve coming back from Jeff's house with the fabulous Turkey in hand!

Alyson set out wonderful table, with decorative leaves and all.

The girls smelling the cranberry mix - which we forgot to eat in the end...

The Football was on...

Mark doing his part as the Potato mixer

All the girls need a break too... Heather, Alyson, Jenn & I relaxing for a moment or two

Everybody hard at work here. Mark's cooking, Steve's washing the dishes, Brad is preparing his Mac & Cheese, Heather & Alyson counting dinner plates and I take pictures :)

And then we all sat on the couch (or Chairs) to play Catch phrase until 12:30 am. Keyah sat and looked on with her ball too.


Thank you all, this was the best Thanksgiving ever for me!!!

Three Cups of Tea

A must read to everybody!!!

List night I went to my first ever book signing, and met Greg Mortensen. He is amazing, in his mission to Promote Peace... One school a a time.

Visit his website at http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

Sunset over the Rockies

The Game is on

On Saturday Kate, Alyson and I got together and started to play Cranium. Well, the game evolved to the point where we only did the cameo's, because you see - It's fun to laugh.... Alyson took the game very seriously, and even though Kate & I stopped rolling the dice half way through, Alyson kept on trying to pass us... needless to say without success, apart form the fact it provided for even more laughter. I had such a great time and really enjoyed it very much!

Thanx Guys

Let's do this again some time soon!