Prediction for 2010: More Crap
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Thoughts
Every time New Year’s Eve rolls around I think, “Phew… I’m happy that year is over…”
“Now on to the next… it’s gonna be great!”
Only to find a few weeks later the new year is just as tough as the last.
So what can you expect for 2010?
Tags: hope, original illustration, trials
Eternal Perspective
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Film
Luminous beings are we…
not this crude matter.
Tags: philosophy, spiritual
Thanks a lot, God
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith
I’ve been praying lately.
I mean… I normally pray regularly but not really instinctively and not with real faith.
But lately I’ve been praying for real.
and not just that, but other areas of my spirituality have come more into focus and taken the forefront of my life.
Tends to happen when I face great trials.
Smaller trials I try to fix on my own… unemployment, relationships, fears… I believe I can fix those things
(I can’t)
but then when it becomes a matter of life or death… then I realize that I have no control.
and my focus turns back to God.
I’ve got to believe that God cares so deeply about me that he’ll do anything to keep me close.
Break my leg if You must
But keep me close to You
Here’s the sad thing…
Personal Update
Posted by Troy | Filed under Cancer
I apologize for the sparse content lately…
I’ve been a little distracted…
hence this unusually prayer-chain-style bit of writing for those who have been wondering about my health.
About 4 weeks ago I received a call from my oncologist to alert me that some sort of nodule had shown up in my routine chest x-ray.
He wasn’t exactly sure what to do next… so I had my information and films sent to the doctor at the Cleveland Clinic who treated me during my last bout with cancer.
Then waited.
Tags: Cancer, original illustration
Best Christmas Ever!
Posted by Troy | Filed under Kids
Laid off.
Struggling with life’s purpose and direction.
Possibly sick and dying.
But he doesn’t know any of that.
“This is the best Christmas ever!” he announces as we decorate the (overpriced) tree.
and I realize he’s right.
Of course.
It is the best Christmas ever.
Five minutes later, while brandishing a dreidel like a dagger he exclaims,
“Prepare to be dead!”
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Pretend it’s O.K.
Posted by Troy | Filed under Cancer
Right now I’m waiting…
Waiting to hear from a big-shot doctor.
Waiting to find out test results.
Results that probably won’t say much at all…
But at least we’ll be able to move on to Step 1.
Problem with Step 1 is that it changes your life.
Waiting is waiting.
But at least when you’re merely waiting you can still pretend.
That everything is ok.
Kids go to school.
Feed the dogs.
Work on some junk and stuff.
Pretend everything’s ok.
When the waiting ends… everything changes.
Tags: Cancer, original illustration
Best Album of 2009
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
It is that time of year… everyone is putting out their “best album of the year” list…
Usually these lists have a lot more to do with what will invoke heated discussion among readers than what is actually the best.
They are fun to read though and I’ve found them to be a really great resource for discovering new music.
There’s been a lot of buzz about Animal Collective. I liked their newest, Merriweather Post Pavillion and found it much more accessible than their previous offerings… and I can definitely see from an artists perspective why someone might consider it “the best.”
but to be honest, I really only listened to it a handful of times.
And I was really looking forward to the new Grizzly Bear album, but for some reason it wasn’t available on Rhapsody (my subscription of choice) until recently… and only after several forced listens am I finally starting to really appreciate it…
Anyways… hope you enjoy my little lists… Please add your thoughts, hits, misses in the comments!
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Buckets of Moonbeams
Posted by Troy | Filed under Good
My wonderful and super-cool wife just launched her first Etsy store:
Each of her creations places style, creativity and function on a very high level. She won’t make anything that you can’t use every day.
Any dude trying to think of a gift for your lady… this is the place.
(I think her stuff is way under-priced considering the quality and time and cursing invested into each item)
Just a handful of items up now… so act fast, they’re gonna fly.
Buckets of Rain
Buckets of rain
Buckets of tears
Got all them buckets comin’ out of my ears.
Buckets of moonbeams in my hand,
I got all the love, honey baby,
You can stand.I been meek
And hard like an oak
I seen pretty people disappear like smoke.
Friends will arrive, friends will disappear,
If you want me, honey baby,
I’ll be here.Like your smile
And your fingertips
Like the way that you move your lips.
I like the cool way you look at me,
Everything about you is bringing me
Misery.Little red wagon
Little red bike
I ain’t no monkey but I know what I like.
I like the way you love me strong and slow,
I’m takin’ you with me, honey baby,
When I go.Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I’ll do it for you, honey baby,
Can’t you tell?
Tags: shopping
The Real Wolverine
Posted by Troy | Filed under Autism
Received an article today about Autism in the workplace.
How certain behavioral skills characteristic of individuals with (high-functioning) autism may make them more adept at particular occupations than the rest of us, and how some new companies and non-profits are providing training to foster the strengths of these individuals by providing specialized training with their unique minds in mind.
At first it seems fantastic.
Tags: Autism, nbc, original illustration
Always Inspired by Colored Pencils
Posted by Troy | Filed under Art/Design, Kids
Feeling uninspired lately.
I’m not sure if it is because I’ve been focusing on work-related stuff… or because I’m waiting for cat scan results to see what’s the next step.
But for whatever reason, I haven’t had much to say lately…
and because I’m committed to Strong Odors being quality, not quantity…
I’ve decided to share this illustration rather than ramble on about something no one really needs to read.
Not exactly sure what’s happening here… but one of my favorites from my daughter (who did this one back in the first grade).
I can’t come close to expressing the creativity that she can unleash with a single stroke of a pencil. Take a few minutes to discover all the detail and emotion and story in this one.
She challenges and inspires me as an artist.
Also threw some Passion Pit into the playlist… lots of Passion Pit echoing around our house lately.
Tags: illustration, kids
