Twins fans have become Haters.

Word for Weekly Illustration: Stay

It has been a long baseball season for the Twins. It has been riddled with injuries, pitching issues, and loosing. Twins fans have rightfully become frustrated and now just angry - and their target is Joe Mauer. They are angry about his performance, lack of playing, and salary. While I do think it his obligation to provide as much as he can for his team (this really is every player’s obligation) I don't think pinning this long season on him specifically is called for. People have lost sight of the fact that while he is currently in a rut after his return from his questioned injury – he has provided quite a bit for the Twins, is over all a good role model for our community, and did not sell out when the opportunity arose.

Am I complaint free? No, I have shouted at the game and wondered if I our hometown hero will step up – or better yet start getting the hits he is so famous for here. However, my rants are more at the game, the situation, and just desperate shouts to get the Twins back on track.

They have been doing fairly well. In fact we are on positive up swing that will hopefully continue after the all-star game. Joe did play first base in Chicago (after all of the push to play there) – and he did very well. In fact well enough for me to want him to stay no matter how much he makes – because he could be making more elsewhere and making us miserable.

Can a King wear no ring?

King James was drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he led his team to consecutive playoffs (2006-10), received the Rookie of the Year award, and two MVPs. He has always been an All-Star since 2005. But this King was ringless in Cleveland. So he did what he wanted, he stomped on the people that loved him and was lured to Miami. King James was provided with a team that could help him get his ring. They failed. So the continually question of can a player be the best player if they have not won a championship, comes up again. Along with that question there are more - is this karma? Can a player alone carry a team all the way? Can a team be built for a king? How invested should a sports icon become invested in the city that loved them? Does James have what it takes to be a king or is he too busy looking ahead for what he wants that he does not notice he is about to stomp on his own crown?

First Fireworks

[Midsummer Night for Illustration Friday]

This is an illustration of us taking our six month daughter to fireworks for the first time.

I love fire works, love them. To me there nothing says summer night like fireworks. I know there are fireworks during winter, such as news years, but from where I live there are weekends one after another of fireworks. Each city has a small carnival that usually has a firework display to mark the end.

For me it is a perfect summer night when we can grab a blanket, the dogs, (and now our daughter) and find the right spot to lay down, hang out and wait for the show. Why is this so wonderful to me? Well aside from the fact that fireworks are just simply awesome (we had them at our wedding) this is a simple thing to do, that is free which allows us to relax and enjoy family time. This is why I was so glad to introduce them to our daughter. I was nervous they would scare her and we would have to take this summer off from them, but lucky me she loved them. She watched in amazement and giggled - I was relived to know we could continue with perfect summer nights.

Instinct [Weekly Word @ Illo Friday]

Always sitting on the edge
of what could be
I tire of my doubts
and wrap myself with
my desire, fertility, and moon
I set off with a determination
to conquer the land
that I have reaped and sown
with my endless daydreaming


Before starting I take
a weighty moment
to find the beast within
that wicked creature
has whipped me around feverishly
with all the things
I have done wrong
and all of my shortcomings
I look her right in the face
and deny her the right
to throw me off course


Instead I transform
her into a being
ruled by speed, grace, and nobility
I allow the being to run free
with my spirt
and find its place in the
land, sun, and moon


My spirit becomes one with the being
allowing an inner acceptance of
who I am
giving me the ability to move
instep with no boundaries
I roam freely
feasting upon life


I take in the nutrients needed
to comeback instep with existence
the fears of the past
are finally gone
and now I center myself
with an inner peace
and a sense of excitement
from engaging in my passions
and being who I am

Necklaces for Sale - Last Day!

Weekly Word: Blanket

At night time, when little girls should be sleeping, Libby would turn her self into Dudezilla with her trusty blanket. She would fly from her bed and out into the world of darkness. All night long she would bring swift justice and defeat the dirty sidewinders that brought crime and violence to the world.

Weekly Word: Plain

Its plain and simple. Dude's heart belong's to Tony.

Weekly Word: Stitch

Cool Pens

Update of Illos

These are the illustations I made for my godson Ethan. My cousin Heather made the matts and framed them.