Reflections X 3

             After a year and a half hiatus, I'm back into acrylic painting.   My latest endeavors are called Reflection (aka Ghost) Swipes.   

All three include one metallic color that really pops out when viewed at the right angle in the  right light, but are difficult to capture in a photo. 

The number of paintings and the size (all 10x20) were selected to fit a specific wall area.

                              So, on to the next project.  Maybe dragonflies.  Maybe not,               

Celebrity Roast

On 1.13.22, we held a celebrity roast for my good friend, David.  After 7 years of hard work as president of our pickleball Association, he decided it was time to pass the gavel on to someone new.  And someone younger; he's 78.

Dennis was emcee, quick-witted, great sense of humor.

I was the first roaster.  David provided several old pictures that were displayed during my presentation - with appropriate (?) comments, of course.

David as a Playboy Bunny in a melodrama.

Hard to believe this hottie is the same guy as the one in the picture below (with the ear).

Grant, an impromptu roaster, commented on David's competitive nature.

Both he and David had scary 'widowmaker' heart issues, but both are doing well now.

Although the roast was my idea, Janie and Rodney did the heavy lifting: venue selection, organizing event signups, collecting $, and setting up the A/V.  They teased David about his hearing (right ear is toast), presented him with the gavel above and the enhanced ear below.

David.  He got a large charge out of the tribute but didn't do a rebuttal.  Too bad; I was looking forward to him taking some shots at me.  He did, however, point out that he outranked me because he was commissioned before me.  We were both in the army with a final rank of captain.

The Association Board of Directors.

David's cap and tee are additional props provided by Rodney and Janie.

The tee says 'STAND HERE IF YOU WANT ME TO HEAR', with an arrow pointing to the left.

Despite the grimace on my face, I was not in pain.  Never was good at smiling on command.

80+ attended the event.  Lots of laughs and lots of banter.  

The no-host bar may have been a factor.

Vladimir and Me

 Yup, that Vladimir, Vladimir Putin.  President, prime minister, whatever; the infamous leader/dictator of Russia since 2012.

Vladimir and I had a pleasant conversation one evening in the hotel lobby where he was staying.  I was just sitting there, dressed in suit and tie, enjoying a bit of alone time.  Mr. P took a seat in the chair next to mine and introduced himself (as if I didn't know who he was the minute I saw him).  He spoke perfect English, only slightly accented.

He asked me where I grew up (northern Minnesota), and commented that he, too, was raised where the winters were bitterly cold (St Petersburg).  The conversation continued for several more minutes, just a couple of guys getting to know each other.

And then, I went on to the next dream, which had nothing whatsoever to do with Vladimir.  

Dreams are our subconscious minds, hard at work, dumping the daily trash or performing other functions, which nobody really understands.  Vladimir probably deserves to be in the trash but I have no idea how he got into my trash.  He was a spy in the KGB before rising to power, and spies are very clever.  That may explain it.