On A Clear Day In Houston

Crazy, as it happens in these interesting times we're living in (if you believe the Chinese), can be found most anywhere. If you live in TX, you're seeing perhaps more than you'd like to. In the Fifth Ward of Houston, a predominantly black community, members of Open Carry Texas, which supports the open carrying of long rifles, planned a march, but it was postponed due to other commitments (of what kind, God only knows; it's not like these people have real lives or anything). Nothing I've read says the march won't still happen, but to many clear-eyed people, a couple of thoughts emerge regardless. One, reasonable, responsible gun owners don't feel the need to intimidate and threaten those around them by letting them know they're packing. Two, the image of a group of white men carrying long rifles in a black neighborhood evokes memories of a time we thought we'd left in the past. So this "march" carries an ominous echo. It's hard not to wonder what could possibly go wrong. Usually, I do these MALADJUSTED themes with a liberal dose of twisted humor. This one I do and present to with a shudder, and a prayer.

Seriously. These folks need to chill.

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KCD

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Fried

Big family event at my house yesterday. Replete with food, dessert, conversation, screaming children, and a baby who's just figured out walking. So of course, walk he did. Everywhere. Totally delighted with his new ability. Sort of like the day Clark Kent figured out he could burn a hole in something if he stared at it and concentrated. Must have caused quite a stir on the Kent Farm.

Anyway, the point is I'm fried today. A post toastie. I need downtime. The only maladjusted thing I could come up with involved a family member and that stays private.

So...nothing today. I need to rest. Back later this week.


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KCD
Visit www.theworkofart.net

This Is Just Twisted Enough

My observations yielding nothing over the weekend (although this whole bit of noise over the latest business in Iraq should have inspired something), I turned within to my always fevered imagination, whereupon I found memories of countless hours watching "The Big Bang Theory". Those of you who watch the show for more than another chance to ogle Kaley Cuoco (which would be maybe a half-dozen of you) will make note of the twist on a popular feature of the series. With that, I give you this week's MALADJUSTED. Enjoy.

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KCD
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If It's Monday, It's Time For "MALADJUSTED"!

We missed it last week, but going forward, there will be at least an attempt to post a MALADJUSTED musing or thought for the day. Because nothing starts the week like scathing social commentary, especially when art can be used to shine a light on an issue, person, or event, or just a trend that seems so bescreweded (not a word; don't look it up) that it qualifies.

Case in point:
According to an article published last week on Yahoo! Education, certain degrees are "overrated" and not as cool as some others. Of course that may not be totally surprising as any high-school junior or senior is constantly being steered into careers that have a certain pedigree. Now, what's different is that the article in question which you can find here, contends that certain careers have a higher rate of unemployment than others. Since being gainfully employed is never not a good thing, people's time and energy should go into careers where there is a lower likelihood of being unemployed. Hey, it's just the Dept. of Labor spinning the numbers, folks. The thing is that careers in graphic design and film, video and fine arts are here perceived as not as cool, but careers in business, marketing, computer science and criminal justice are more secure statistically, and therefore cooler.

And we all want the cool, right?
And we all want to stay employed, right?

But my question is, have we now created a society and culture where a career as a police officer or a jailer is cooler and more desirable than it is to be a filmmaker, or a designer, or an illustrator, or an actor, or a dancer? What does that say about what we value? Does that seem strange to no one but me and my fellow subversives in the arts who could in some perverse reality end up in the hands of those cool police officers and jailers for questioning the order of things? And in case you think it couldn't happen here, what do you think Occupy was about? How do you think it even started?

But anyway, enough ranting from me. Check out the cool graphic, feel free to share it with your networks and at some point, when we have enough of these, we can offer them for sale as posters or T-shirts or mugs or...whatever.

Now without further ado, your weekly dose. Enjoy.

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KCD

Visit www.theworkofart.net