WOW. No, not *that* WoW. It’s the White Oak Writer’s club ;-).

So I was browsing through the single comment left on my site (site has existed now for millions of seconds and yet only one comment, hmmm) and this comment was from someone inviting me to join a group of writers out at Cavatore’s. I’m really glad I went. These one’s are really good writers and I have enjoyed the various occasions that we’ve gotten together. They are indeed very impassioned about writing and I am privileged to have been invited. Due to the level of seriousness with which they approach writing, a certain expectation to contribute has been laid upon the flattest part of my head. I don’t know if this group has yet become aware but I don’t have flat parts anywhere on my head and therefor expectations placed on my head often fall fast. However, I have positioned my mind to accept the challenge of writing more and offering my humble efforts to their trained eyes. They are a good group of people and I’m enjoying their writing very much.

With this challenge in mind, what would any self-respecting samurai do? Naturally, I went to the store, bought some beer and put on some mariachi music and started writing. Linda Rondstadt does a really good job of singing mariachi music. I’ve heard mariachi music referred to as the Mexican Blues.

If you are interested in getting together with us, contact me at my website or by email at shawncarey1 @gmail.com.

So…let’s start slingin some ink!

The Houston Metbloggers want to wish you and your favorite Dad a Happy Father’s Day! Here a just a few reasons we think our Dads are rock stars:

He was on the medical team of the first successful heart transplant using a baboon heart. His work was used by a team in South Africa that performed the first human heart transplant. My Dad was also the first surgeon to successfully perform a coronary artery bypass. My Dad lives like a rock star because his current wife is 28 (and he is 72), drives little Italian sports cars, and has four ex-wives. He also didn’t have me killed when, at the age of 14, I wrecked his BMW.
~ Pablo

My Step-Dad is a Rock Star because he doesn’t just take what life gives him and work with it, he tells life what he wants and works towards it. He is a hero in my eyes.
~Derek

My Dad is awesome because he is the most hard working, dedicated and intelligent man I know. He can make me and my brother laugh like no one else can and knows everything about pretty much everything - and that’s pretty darn cool.
~Katie

‘Fishing with Dad’ by very Houston cool ‘urban surrealist’ artist Tim Newton

(Sorry for posting this so late but I’ve got RSI in both wrists and I’ve been slacking on a lot of my keyboard duties.)

Um, What was it? Oh, yeah…

So I was fortunate enough to have made it out to the John Kerry book signing at Brazos Bookstore the other week. I was speeding from the west side of town just to make it there on time. I couldn’t miss this unique opportunity to confront evil face-to-face. There were only about 50 people there and I got there 2 minutes before the Senator pulled up and walked in with a smug look on his face. This is a short recap of what went down…
Read more

See Yourself Through Their Eyes
Originally uploaded by jeffbalke.

Houston Metblog Photographer Jeff Balke has been posting some really great stuff lately.

I’m not a huge sports fan, but you can’t deny the visual appeal and personal feel of Jeff’s recent Astros photographs.

“House Bill 1098 prevents state health officials from requiring the vaccine against the human papillomavirus for school enrollment until 2011. At that time, lawmakers can reconsider the issue, said Sen. Glenn Hegar, who sponsored the bill in the Senate.”

This is what happens when you try to pump genetically modified poison into the bodies of little girls Mr. Perry! You’re lucky you got off this easy without any scratches or bumps! You Scoundrel!

See what I’m talking about by clicking below…
Read more

Since the mainstream media has chosen to nearly blackout coverage of Congressman Ron Paul’s (TX) Presidential campaign I thought I’d share a recent video with you of his time on the debate floor.
So far I truly believe this is the only candidate who not only has a great track record in office but is more than willing to tackle the serious issues that are affecting our country right now. We’re even talking about taking out the Federal Reserve here!

If this video interests you I’d recommend doing a little more research on him. And please, don’t be mislead by his status as a Republican Party member. This man stand for true American values and is about protecting and restoring the Constitution which has been trampled on by the past few administrations (among many other things).

Please keep your eyes and ears open when listening and watching news in the future because it will be hard to hear him through the mainstream focus on Hillary & Obama.

Today is Pi Day (as in 3/14 like 3.14159…). For many this is a big deal, for even more than that it’s probably just something you heard on the radio and rolled your eyes about.

If you fall in the first category, there’s still time to get over to the Houston Children’s Museum to participate in the Pi Day/Albert Einstein birthday celebration.

In celebration of these two significant days, join the Museum for fun games and activities. Take a stroll down the pi walk, 75 feet worth of this infinite decimal, to get an idea of how long it continues. Play circle logic, create a marbleized painting using a pie plate of shaving cream and food coloring, or measure the diameter of a tree trunk in the EcoStation exhibit. Enjoy a hearty serving of Frito Pie in the Kids’ Café; plus, kids can make edible mini-pies, meet Albert Einstein and sing him “Happy Birthday” at 1:59 p.m.

Houston
Originally uploaded by deneyterrio.

Proving he has more than fantastic ears, the superb eye of photographer deneyterrio brings you this really unique view of the Houston skyline we all know and love. It also brings a new twist on the stark blue skies we’re used to.

Join other Houston area photographers in the Houston Metblogs’ flickr group and show us the city through your eyes.

HouMet contributor Andrew Rebman gives us a perfect glimpse of the unusual fog we’ve had around the city. This shot from the reflection pond in Herman Park looks out towards the statue of our namesake, Sam Houston.

Show the world how Houston looks through your eyes, join other photographers in the Houston Metblog Flickr Photo Group. We’ll publish your views on life in Houston.

Artist Lane Montoya is offering Anime lessons on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The address is: 3200 FONDREN, SECOND FLOOR HOUSTON TX 77063 (map).

MATERIALS FOR THE COURSE:

Mechanical pencils, drawing pencils, sketchbook, markers, drafting pens.

WEEK 1 - An introduction: What makes the style so fascinating? Emphasize on the importance of shapes, lines, and a steady hand. It’s OK to draw stick figures.

WEEK 2 - Existing characters. What makes them so cool and rememberable?

WEEK 3 - Observe things from life. Outlining shapes from our stick figures into body parts. Who do you want your character to be?

WEEK 4 - Perspective, and why it’s important. Taking our sketch and moving it around the plane of view. Unfinished is OK!

WEEK 5 - Filling in the details. Anime eyes, hands, feet, and all the tricky details. Even his/her personality!

WEEK 6 - Character complete. Designing fashion for your new character, how it drapes, moves, and personifies your character.

WEEK 7 - Putting your character in a setting. Is your girl from outer space, or is she a regular school girl? Once again, development and perspective for setting.

WEEK 8 - Outlining and inking your new picture. Getting it ready to color. Tracing your own work is OK!

WEEK 9 - Character development after the concept: Stronger, better faster. Where do you see your characters story taking him? Just for fun coloring session.

WEEK 10 - How do the pros do it? An intro on how the pros use digital painting tools to aid them in their process. Rundown on the programs used (photoshop, painter, open canvas), including 3D Programs.

The classes actually started last night (oops, I’m a little late posting this). But there are still 9 weeks left. Send an e-mail to get more details.