two

...and then there was Ellie...

"ellie"
marker on computer paper
in front of the tv

batman, catwoman, joker, riddler, and...

For those of you who don't know I teach a Music Class at Allan Hancock College. More specifically I teach teachers how to include music and movement in the classroom. For the next few days I'll be posting some pictures I drew for the class. The idea is for kids to move like the animal they see...

I'm not sure why it is sideways... Just turn your head or your montior and enjoy.

"penguin"
marker on computer paper
in front of the tv

"I don't like that Blue-Man!"

I have this little iconic person I draw... He ages and changes with the styles, but this is who he is. I like his expression. Something tells me I'm gonna like this blue man.

"mischief managed"
blue marker on computer paper
at my desk

Blue Period

Not as dramatic as those artists of yesteryear... Mine is around because my pen died, so I am using a blue one in leu of a black one.

This one is for the future baby-Shaw (no nothing to report here). It is a classic tale, with a twist...

"hey diddle doodle"
blue marker on computer paper
at my desk

That was it?

Ok... So I have seen this Michael Jackson picture everywhere, and I just have to laugh. Doesn't anyone else think this pose is a little Jesus-esk? Maybe it is just me and my spiritual-self... I wonder if they are trying to subliminally tell the public something about how he was treated in his later days of life. But whatever...

I thought I would do a little play on words here and ask, "Well what is the legacy here then?" by stating, "That was it." Some good songs though...

"that was it"
sharpie on computer paper
at my desk

logo-a-go-go

Here it is. You've been waiting for it. The Michael Shaw Logo. I'm goin' corporate.

"logo"
markers on computer paper
on the sofa

Abstract

Another odd one. But great because I taught my wonderful class all about Henri Matisse and his amazing use of color and line. The kids really REALLY liked his work. We did some Visual Thinking Strategies with his work and I have to say it was amazing.

"matisse's eye"
markers and computer paper
at my desk

Marvelous Meryl

Another person who some of you will recognize (though if I would have drawn her better it would be more obvious). One of our favorites drawn in character as Miranda Priestly. That's all.

"Did She Die or Something?"
marker on computer paper
on the sofa

protection

I was thinking about the way we protect ourselves from others by not opening up to one another. It's like we build up shield around ourselves. So I came up with this doodle. I was a little bummed this one got cut off on the page, but the general idea is there.

"self protection"
sharpies on computer paper
at the kitchen counter

snow day

I know it isn't exactly snow weather, but all of this rain got me thinking... "Freeze, freeze, freeze!" If only it would snow in Santa Maria... Alas, here is what I imagine kids in my school to look like if it snowed.

"snow day"
marker on computer paper
on the sofa

drink up me hearty

Just for fun.

"gossip frog"
marker on paper
at my desk

dreamer

Yes, today is a double post for the Holiday Weekend.

If you are like most people, you haven't listened to the full audio of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's 1963 "I Have a Dream Speech". You really should, it is AMAZING. Every year I listen to it I am overwhelmed. I think it is the greatest speech of all time (well at least one of the top 3). Here is the audio link. Enjoy.

I HAVE A DREAM!

"dreamer"
marker on computer paper
at my desk

lucy & julia

This one is a little creepy to me... I decided to put together two old time women I enjoy watching. Julia Child and Lucille Ball. The actual form is more Lucy than Julia, but I hyped up the facial features and stretched out the body to be more Julia... and added the obvious butter theme. At any rate, here it is.

"lucy & julia"
marker on computer paper
on the sofa

down the rabbit hole

I am getting very excited about the up-and-coming Alice in Wonderland film in March. So here is a version of Alice. I tried to be a little dangerous looking in this one, and not too Disney-ish.

"alice in thorns"
marker on computer paper
at my desk

toothy mummy

"rosie the tooth fairy"
marker, computer paper
on the sofa

This just reminds me of my mom when I was growing up.

obamacare

"obama's dilemma"
markers, computer paper
on the sofa

Doodle-a-Day

OK... I decided to try it. A Doodle-a-Day. Now, I want to premise this one by saying these will not be the world's best drawings, because they are just doodles. But I think it will be fun to challenge myself to post a piece of work every day. (even if it is a little bizarre like today's). Enjoy...

"god save the queen"
marker, computer paper
at my desk

Resos

Ok... My blog is suffering again. I have ignored it. And in doing so, I have ignored you.

I have started up some New Year's Resos and I am doing pretty good with them thus far... Here are some updates:

1. Spiritual-

Through the Bible in a year. Well I'm still in Genesis. But remember I started in Matthew-ish.

2. Romance-

My wife is now figuring it out. I am sending her a love note in the snail-mail weekly. They have gone over really well and I have remembered both weeks.

3. Friendship-

Well, Parker decided to go and get married, but we certainly had a little mad-date action at Disneyland for his bachelor party (plus one other man in on the date action). It was great, and I think another Parker-Shaw Date is being planned as I type.

4. Family-

I have seen the Doodles regularly. This past week we pretended we were going to Disneyland. They played old-school style and made me pay for each attraction. It was a lot of fun, and the good times will certainly continue.

5. Hobby-

I sent out my manuscript to a bunch of publishers. I heard back from 2 of them. So far, a personal copy may be my only hope. As an added note, I wrote the forward and the first few portions of my tips for "Dating a Married Woman" book I am penning.

6. Teaching and Career-

I have started my search for further education and have a short list of contacts has been formed. I have also decided to take some classes from Hancock about technology.

7. Health and Wellness-

No Diet Coke has passed through my lips. I did gulp down an unhealthy portion of Sprite last week, but I am finished with all of that. I think I will be soda free by the 26th (just in case my dad decides he needs to take us out for his birthday I can get a Sprite with my steak...).

Accountability is key people! Please keep bugging me about all of these ridiculous resos.

Here's to your resos!

Dates

So today I started writing a TIP BOOK for HUSBANDS... Ways to woo the wife. I think I'm pretty good at it, or so my wife says, and I think I have some practical advice to pass on to others. It may only culminate in a men's retreat talk, but I think it is worth something...

Needless to say, I just came back from a really fun date with my lovely wife. We went to Shell Beach and Pismo where we stayed at the Shore Cliffs. It was a great time... More to come on our dates soon...

Happy New Year!

Other Movies I've Recently Seen...

Fantastic Mr. Fox



This movie was awkwardly funny. Not awkward because of the comedy itself, but because of the animation. Something about these little claymation foxes, badgers, and people made me feel a bit odd laughing at phrases like, "What the cuss?" The story is a dear-classic favorite to me, and I liked the styling of the film. Overall, especially with Dumbedore's voice, the voice acting was pretty good. But the style, though awkward, was best.

Rice Cakes and Peanut Butter to you Mr. Fox

The Blind Side


Well done. The feel good movie of the year. I was so impressed with this story and with the telling of the story. I really liked the relationships shown in this movie. It is a Cinderella like movie, but it has such a good heart behind it you just fall in love with it. I think Sandra Bullock deserves some sort of nomination for this one, she did a superb job.

It's worth seeing. Everyone should go see this one.

This one earns the newly established A rating of-- Patricios Pizza and a Diet Coke

The Princess and the Frog



Cute. That's what I can say about this movie. There are a lot of cute little moments in the film. But my other word is: Freaky. I can't imagine being a little kid seeing this movie. I know, I was a little screamish as a child, but the shadow-man scared me. With his evil shadows.

The music was pretty good, but I think they should have gotten Elton Jon to do the music. Randy Newman is a little played out and his songs all kind of slur together without a stand out show piece (well Mama Odie's song was great, but that's just because all gospel songs are kind of amazing).

I think kids in second grade on up could see this and enjoy it, but most kids probably won't. Sorry Tiana.

Rice Cakes with just some Peanut Butter

Sherlock Holmes



I was a major skeptic about this film, and I was wrong. The characters in this movie were placed just right, especially Jude Law, who I normally do not like, so this is a big deal. I thought the setting, visuals and mood of the movie were all spot on. The only thing iffy was the bad-guy's plot, which seemed a little grand to me for a Sherlock Case. But nevertheless, I was impressed by the acting and directors way of taking us inside the thought processes of Sherlock. Well done.

Rice Cakes and Peanut Butter with a splash of Gatorade.

It's Complicated

It's Complicated is just that--Complicated. I liked all of the acting, pretty good stuff there. The storyline was interesting and the plot was enticing... but the moral ambiguity was too disheartening. There was one short line in the movie delivered by one of the kids, I won't it spoil for you, that kept the movie from falling flat.

The whole time during the movie I wanted to shout out, "No! It's not complicated! You are complicated!" because really, there were such obvious bad choices being made, but I suppose that is life. If only I could re-write the title to People are Complicated, I think I would have been happier.

Meryl was great as usal. Alec was pretty good... I like him as Jack on 30Rock much more. But the moral ambiguity left me a little frustrated. At any rate, it is an OK film since it did have quite a few laugh out loud moments.

I rate it a rice cake and peanut butter.

Up in the Air

So last night we saw Up in the Air. I was a little worried, since no one would tell me anything about what this film was about. It turns out it is a character study on one man's life (Clooney). How this man has made his world just what he wants it to be. He has everything he wants and excludes everything he doesn't. But the turn, though it happens quickly, in the movie comes when he changes his mind and he can't have what he wants.

I really liked the concept of this story, following one person's journey and all, but it fell flat a few times. Clooney held the show together with his charming smile and distanced stance, and the supporting cast was great. I particularly enjoyed the "regular Joes" who graced the screen with their bad news.

Overall this movie earned a Rice Cakes and Peanut Butter rating with a swig of Gatorade.

2009 to 2010

Well in 2009 I kept a large portion of my reso's from last year, with some slight alterations. I feel pretty good about that. Now for 2010... I need to really get on the ball here, because 2010 may go by REALLY fast...

Oy. Where to start.

1. Spiritual

I want to read the Old Testament as I am doing this read through the Bible backwards thing.

2. Romance

I want to surprise Farah with memories of our wonderful life together... More to come on this, but she reads my blog so I shouldn't say.

3. Friendship

I would like to reinstate some of the Shaw Parker Traditions of monthly Man-Dates. Now that he'll be married I think the timing is right.

4. Family

I want to continue my investment into the Doodle's lives by seeing them every Thursday afternoon and doing a project with the Cass.

5. Hobby

My wife has inspired me and I would like to send off my book for publishing. If nothing comes of it, I would like to try illustrating it and making a personal copy for myself.

6. Teaching and Career

I want to build up my credentials and explore some new certifications. Specifically I want to explore online teaching certifications.


7. Health and Wellness

I am going to give up one of my loves. Diet Coke. I will take myself off it through the aid of Sprite but by March I hope to be off Sprite too.

So there they are. When you see me you can ask how things are going... I'll tell you... And then you'll be glad you asked.

Christmas Continued...

So the past few night of Christmas passed quickly by, here are the latest gifts:

Night 3 (oops I missed this one)
New Orleans.
A deck of wonderful playing cards and Scrabble SLAM! Both represent the Cajun style of Gambit and the freaky Shadow Man from The Princess and the Frog. Delightful.



Night 6
Fantasyland
For our dream vacation to London she bought me a calendar filled with pictures of England, the mother land. It is really great and has a picture for every day or so. It will be wonderful while I plan for the dream.



Night 7
Toon Town

Perfectly toony, I was given my favorite toon series: X-Men Saga Part 2 and 3. I am really excited to re-watch this fantastic series once again.



Tomorrow's gift: Night 8, California Adventure

What will it be? What will it be?

8 Nights of Christmas

SO every night for 8 Nights of Christmas we exchange gifts. I thought I'd write to you and tell you about the lovely gifts my wife gave me.

I thought I'd do it from Elaine Benes' perspective when she is with Peterman.


Night 1...
Main Street-
Walking down the streets of yesteryear you are sure to take in the total ambiance. The smell of popcorn popping, cookies baking, and fries frying. The bright red of the holly, the white of the snow, and the sounds of Enya "And Winter Came" echoing off the tinsel covered walls.



Night 2...
Adventureland-

Imagine a vine covered path, hissing and cawing can be heard from all directions, its just you and your machete (well if you are Kyle)... But for me, it will be just me and a beautiful charcoal gray Cast Iron Skillet hand cast in the islands of Mitokana, made especially to cook over warm fires in the heart of the wilderness... Or to make Pizookie in the kitchen.



Night 4...
Frontierland-
Watch ya'll's back! Ya never know when an Injun might creep up behind ya'll. Ya gotta be on yer guard when you're out here in the wild west. Especially when it comes to yer leather bound Italian pocketbook. So take the $20 gift into the Chumash and ya might walk out empty handed, or ya might end up striking oil!



Night 5...
Tomorrowland-
As the world becomes smaller and quicker with the click of a button, the Shaws are going to jump into the 21 Century. Zipping into the future will be a breeze and will finally become a reality as the Shaws sign online and purchase the Internet via Charter or Comcast.



What's up next? Fantasyland, Toon Town, and California Adventure. More to come soon.

700

Wow. I am always amazed when I reach a new level of blog-dom. At any rate I thought I would share with you some ideas I have for my new, daily blogging posts:

1. Michael's Attempts Toward Fitness, a daily insight into the rise and fall of the Ig. (Note- many days this blog would be exceptionally boring, not to mention empty.)

2. Michael's Creative Musings, a blog filled with idea of things I do in and out of the workplace to utilize my creativity. (This blog would kind of be a bragging post of sorts.)

3. Michael's Food Adventures, a blog dedicated to Michael trying 157 new foods, that's one every other day. and absolutely horrifying to me. (Some of the foods would be things as simple as radishes, something my lips have yet to taste, or as involved as halibut, something my nose has prevented me from even getting near.)

4. Michael's Doodle Loops, a blog where I would record a daily doodle. Documenting a year of doodles would be a lot of fun, and exceptionally fun to look back on. The only trouble would be finding the quickest way to pull up the pictures daily.

5. Michael's Commentary on the News, a weekday only blog where I would give you my slant on the news. Not too interesting for you, but perhaps interesting to write.

6. The Unknown... I have more ideas brewing, but I will have to wait to see what comes of this blogging world...

Nothing is final, and nothing is really in sight as of yet. Here's to the future...

"Keep moving forward."

New Moon... Uh I mean New Ig

Reinvention.




Madonna did it. Tom Cruise did it. Why can't a guy named Ig do it?

I am considering putting this blog "Under Construction" to reinvent it. I was uber-delighted by the Julie and Julia movie, and was equally captivated by the challenge of doing something more regularly. (I did a good job this summer you may recall)...

But what could I possibly do for an entire year? What could I possibly write about? Well. Blog number 700 is just two posts away so I need some ideas here. Then, when I emerge from my chrysalis, I will be a new blog (though I don' think I could possibly part with my classic black back drop).

Suggestions are welcomed.

Grande Central Halloween Station

Over the past few years my parents will tell you Foxenwoods is quite deserted on Halloween. But, last night I couldn't believe how busy our house was last night. I knew something was up when we ran out of candy at 7:00 though. I looked out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes: It looked like Hocus Pocus! You know, when all of the kids are running a muck through the streets.

I started making a list of kids who came to the door. I stopped at 35, though there were more.

Here are the stand out winners, all ages are speculated:

1. A 4 year old Buzz Lightyear, complete with inflatable wings
2. A 10 year old ugly kid with a fake fro
3. A 6 year old Wolverine, complete with foam claws
4. A 5 year old Michael Jackson, with a silver glove and hat
5. A toddler bumble bee with a fuzzy covering
35. A 3 year old girl in a coat (I mean, I couldn't even see the costume)

So, for next year, come by our street. Apparently it is where all the Foxenwoods kids have disappeared to.