Requisite New Year Prattle

[mbarrick]

Well here we are at the beginning of a new year, the second day of the fourth year of the third millennium. A lot of good things happened in the last year, not the least of which was moving into this apartment with Elaine. My job remains abnormally satisfying. We made it to New York in June. I'm finally seeing light as I dig myself out of the hole. Elaine and I are both painting again. It's a good life here.

There are always flies in the ointment, but 2003 was a pretty good year over all.

So what's coming up? I'm not really the type for New Year's resolutions, but I have a few things I've already resolved to do. They all revolve around one larger goal, getting published (which I'm not necessarily planning on this year). To that end:

• No more running in the special olympics: It's too easy to spend so much time arguing over things where no amount of arguing is going to change anything and consequently not attending to those things that I do have power over.
• More drawing: I intend to have no less than 12 finished drawings by the end of the year
• More painting: 6 finished paintings
• More attention to my portfolio: this means paying more attention to my website than Gothic BC, going back to taking pictures with an eye to painting and drawing, developing a new artist statement, and generally getting my stuff in a submittable state.
• Spending less time with people who suck time and energy: the people I like best are those that inspire me in one way or another. Those that don't inspire me just take up my time.
• Smoking and drinking more: yeah, that's right, more. Cigars are rolled in inspiration, and if in vino veritas then in spirits there is art.

There is more: I'll go back to New York again this year and draw the classical sculptures in the Met. And don't be surprised if you see me at the club in a tie — I'm getting too old to dress like a teenager.

There is an underlying, longer-term plan that getting published is just a part of, and behind it all are some guiding principles that have been with me in one way or another for a long time

1. "Always be the better person,"
2. "Always cover your ass,"
3. "You can't please everyone. You're lucky if you please yourself," and,
4. "There are no contradictions. If you perceive a contradiction then one of your premises must be wrong."

Comments

[evilyn13.livejournal.com]

haha! One of the few people who plan on smoking more instead of quitting! That's funny, lung cancer, here I come!
I am all for the drinking more, and I'd like to think I am a non-sucking friend, so that means we'll get to spend more time drinking together! And I don't mind the smoke :)

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

I'm sure someone will have me shot long before I get the lung cancer.

"Death smiles at all of us. All a man can do is smile back."

Smile Back?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkpixie_/]

Hell I'd invite him in for Tea... As long as he doesn't stay too long :P

I hope I get to hang out with you guys a little more in the new year, I have enjoyed what little time we have had together, and well MSN chat is always a blast with ya!

As far as the tie goes? That is A-ok with me, but I will dress like a teenager for as long as I can get away with it...hehe, but if it gets to the time I don't realize it, gimme a smack down will ya?

[miss-tease.livejournal.com]

good music choice!!

[cheekydevil.livejournal.com]

More people should wear ties at the club anyway!

[seymour-glass.livejournal.com]

And don't be surprised if you see me at the club in a tie — I'm getting too old to dress like a teenager.

ain't it the truth...i actually like ties and i miss wearing them somewhat...

It's too easy to spend so much time arguing over things where no amount of arguing is going to change anything

meaning not replying to comments by thetroll ha ha...

"Always be the better person,"

a very sage tenet indeed...

[mediavictim.livejournal.com]

"And don't be surprised if you see me at the club in a tie — I'm getting too old to dress like a teenager."

When I was a teen - I wore sweater vests , and colared shirts
and mis matched clothing

When I was young 20s I wore suits, ties and fancy dress shoes to the clubs...

As I got older I wear sneakers, jeans , caps and t-shirts to the clubs....

Wich is bang on the money ..becasue by the time I am 100 ..I will be wandering around naked and babling incoherently with a diaper and a 3' long string of unbroken drool...


Clothing styles and me seem to have a reverse chronological thing going on