mcgrew’s musings.com

Well, well, well, hello there. Hope everything is froody with you guys and gals. Things are churning along quite nicely here. Been busy with this and that and a coupl’a those. Currently reading a book that just will not end no matter how much I groan. It’s a good book and all (or rather 6 in 1), but 800 pages is a bit of a haul, especially for British humor. Oh, the book is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by the way, and I’m ever so close to finishing it, but I think I’ve lost too much enthusiasm for it to be anything more than a simple accomplishment. I mean, I’ve already forgotten what the first segment was about. It’s still entertaining to a degree, but it has certainly lost every bit of jazz it had during the 1st 400 pages. Anyway, I’m toying with the idea of trying out some history next for a dramatic change of pace after my space voyage is complete. I’ve got a copy of David McCullough’s 1776, which was a bestseller about the American Revolution, and I’ve eyeballed it on my bookshelf numerous times in the past, but I’m not sure I want to venture into those waters just yet. Of course, I of all people could stand to learn a thing or two of American history, or simply history in general; it’s just history has never been a strong subject with me. I either get bored or embarrassed or agitated, but never proud. Throw your stones if you must, I don’t care. Anyway, history… i need to learn some… anyone have any recommendations? It doesn’t have to be American history. Ya know, come to think of it… I remember seeing a book about the Chinese discovery of America decades before Columbus’ miscalculation. I believe it was 1421 or something ……….. I just Googled it. It is 1421, by Gavin Menzies. I just might have to go get that one pretty soon. I do like a good controversial subject … anything to piss off the locals, ya know. So the choice is now 1776 or 1421. 1776 or 1421. 1776 or 1421. An American author writing about American history, or a Brit writing about Chinese-American history? Neither of which were alive during the times in question. Hmmmm. I’ll have to toss a coin.

Anyway, let’s turn left. I’ve recently stumbled upon the Belgium lager, Stella Artois and it is fiii-iiiine! And most certainly froody!

Holy crap! Guess what I did! Guessssssss. I stopped smoking! Ya damned straight I stopped smoking! Well, it’s only been a week, which isn’t much to boast about, but the exciting part is that I haven’t had any strong cravings yet. In the past, I’d quit for 2-3 weeks before succumbing to the agonizing pangs of nicotine withdrawal. This time, so far so good. I chew gum here and there; maybe a breath mint, but I find myself rarely even thinking about a cigarette. Kudos to myself! Yep, in place of smoking I just snort a coupl’a lines now. Nah, just kiddin’. Anyway, I thought that still drinking without smoking would be downright torture, but it really hasn’t been. I feel really good about this latest attempt to quit. Although, life does seem to be a bit less colorful without my precious li’l soldiers; 20 at a time, all lined up and ready. Oh, how I miss you my sweet oral fixation. Dark are the days since you have henceforth strayed from mine own perception of bliss and all-together well being. A pox on you for stirring such as this that would lead to a most personal and foul event of a heart attack on your beloved Faust… you bastards! Shame!

Turn right, here. I’ve got some new ideas on pieces for my next gallery show, which has got me a bit excited. It involves a pencil. That’s all I can give away right now. This whole thing isn’t scheduled for another year, but I think once I get everything hammered down and under way, I may have stumbled upon a new style for myself. Time will tell, but I’m f-in’ stoked! I’ve also considered showing down in Mobile rather than in Birmingham, for reasons I’ll keep, but who knows what will happen in a years’ time.

Awwww hell’s bells, guess what else… my album is almost done. “Get out!” Oh yeah, it’s true! I’ve got almost everything recorded and tweaked to my heart’s content, and am just about to call it quits on production and move directly over to designing the cover jacket. Or the soon to be damned cover jacket. So, given the remainder of the recording goes according to plan, and that I can also come up with a suitable design for the album’s appearance, you should have a nice square xmas present to unwrap at year’s end.

At the second light, turn left. I just started yet another project the other night. This one involves my kitchen table, which I got from a friend a handful of years back. It’s scarred to hell and I had always planned to refinish it, but didn’t quite know what kind of approach I wanted to take. Well, last year I came up with an idea to recycle one of my knotwork designs, specifically Ice, and throw a generic Celtic border around the length of the table. Looks good in the mock-up stage, so we’ll see if the design looks good on the actual table. I’m still in the sanding stage as I write this, and plan to post some pics along the way, although I’ve already screwed that up by starting the varnish stripping before I got an initial pic. Sometimes I just can’t wait to take something apart. Anyway, I think it’s gonna be wicked awesome when I’m done. Also, I think I’m gonna recruit dear ol’ dad on some of this; I don’t think we’ve ever really worked on anything together, but he’s well equipped with woodwork experience. At any rate, my kitchen has a layer of red dust covering almost everything right now. I gots some cleaning to do this weekend.

Pull in here if you would, please. I gotta pee.

more as it comes…