May 15, 2012. Ideal living at it’s Ideal, The Steeldrivers, and Going through the windshield at 75mph=The beginning of Change

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Robert Redus

“If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk.” – Robert Baden-Powell

This is the perfect song by the Steeldrivers, to listen to while reading today’s post.

I was was once quoted as saying:

“We start getting serious about change when we’re going through the windshield at 75 miles per hour or when the blood tests come back positive.”

Maybe not the exact scenario but almost always a dramatic, traumatizing experience demands we exam who we are, what we are, what we’re doing and where we are going with who we are and what we are.

I am everyday reminded of what matters, and everyday it matters more.

Do not delay or pause when it comes to matters of living
Dont hesitate to tell those you love, that you love them
Live everyday with urgency
Eliminate the negative
Go get what I want, right now.
Make it happen everyday

Don’t wait for that nanosecond before impact to make the changes in your life.

We have put up a calendar, and on it are the days we walk, ride our bicycles, take the dog out, camping, etc. so we can see what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, and our frequency.

Decide today is the day. So Today I challenge you to begin taking control of your life in what ever way you are able, and doing what you want to do to begin getting what you want. There is no doubt that we are each designed to excel at something extrodinary, and that something is most often not what we are currently doing. Buy a notebook, write what you ideal day looks like in your life and begin figuring out the path, strategy, and tactics that gets you there.

Maybe start here or here or this app.

Here are some free apps for time management:

Klok
Toggl
Make some time
Yanomo
Here is just an overall great site

Please be well, and as always Onward Ever West.

“Art is not a study of positive reality, it is the seeking for ideal truth.” – John Ruskin

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May 12, 2012. What a Saturday! Typewriter Key Jewelry, Free Falling, New Mexico backroads, and Sunk Cost Fallacy,

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Robert Redus

“Against logic there is no armor like ignorance.” – Lawrence J. Peter

In the book, “Ishmael“, by Daniel Quinn, Ishmael explains how man has excluded himself from the laws of life by describing an early attempt at flight:

He describes a man pedaling a bi-winged contraption. He says that if the man runs off a tall cliff, he will experience free fall for long enough that it will feel like flight to him, even though he’s not actually flying. Additionally, the man will keep pedaling because so far it’s working, even though below him he’ll see abandoned crafts just like his own. But, eventually, he’ll fall to the earth because his craft hasn’t followed the rules of aerodynamics. Ishmael suggests that Taker culture is in the same boat: it’s an experiment in free fall, even though it feels like flight, and Takers are accelerating toward a crash.

There are certain ways to get certain results, folding paper is one of the best examples of that. Here is some incredible skill at folding paper and another.

I was in Santa Fe yesterday, I briefly lived there in 1974. I lived in a rather interesting hotel called the De Vargas Hotel which is now a top drawer hotel called The St. Francis. The man who ran the place was a tall British Man with coal black hair, he had a poodle that ran the length of the check in counter and all of the bathrooms were, “Down the hall”, with a few exceptions.

My trip yesterday took me to Tesuque, where I will be setting up this summer selling my jewelry and paintings, since there has been a minor delay in the trek to California, just until August. And speaking of jewelry here are a pair of earrings and pendant I made for a custom order, from vintage 1940′s era typewriter keys:

"Tombstone" typewriter key earrings and Royal round key pendant

My drive back from Santa Fe was wonderful. The sky was overcast and everything was cool and crisp, odd for May in the high desert. A slight rain and the sky was filled with some very beautiful clouds. I stopped in at a gallery that carries my work. Then to the Mine Shaft for an early dinner of”

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Just down the hill and south of Madrid is, Co Rd 57A it exits to I-25, east of Santo Domingo Pueblo and north of San Felipe Pueblo

Drives and days like yesterday affirm that doing what I am designed to do far outweighs any other ideas. It solidified my thoughts on:

Uncertainty promotes distraction
Effort in, produces
Follow the rules I set up, change them when they no longer apply
Think Critically, avoid the Sunk Cost Fallacy and Sunk Cost Dilemma mentality
Eliminate the negativity
Have a great time doing it.

I’m listening to “No Meaning” by DeeJ Punk-Roc

Enjoy your weekend, and be well.

“Onward Ever West”

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” – The Dalai Lama

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May 8, 2012. Camping, 3d Planetary Postcards, Best New Mexico Dessert, and Happy Camper IPA really does make you happier

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Robert Redus

”The subconscious is ceaselessly murmuring, and it is by listening to these murmurs that one hears the truth.” – Gaston Bachelard

We took a short camping trip Sunday. One of those to get a way from what ever we individually needed to get away from without saying a great deal about what we were getting away from. And it worked.

Our drive took us through, Bernalillo, home of the, Range Cafe where by far the very best dessert is available, “Life By Chocolate“. Continue on NM. 44 through San Yisidro. past Jemez Pueblo to a great place:

where families set up and sell some spectacular food like what’s left of this red chile soaked pork tamale and of course 2 pies, a peach and apple.

Backtracking a few miles we turned east towards Ponderosa and up into the mountains:

We set up after about 4 miles in, in a nice spot and since it was Sunday, everyone had left or was leaving….nice!

Spent most of the day drawing and writing, 10 minute quick writes on subjects like, Confessions, Snow Storms, Rocking Chairs, Dog Eared Pages, and then read our stories to each other. Drank a wonderful Happy Camper IPA, took a well deserved/needed nap and later we cooked some steaks and nicely spiced corn on the cob with red, yellow and orange grilled bell pepper”

and watched the fire dance magically for a few hours before a night of deafeningly quiet slumber.

We stopped for a wonderful bath at Jemez Bath House, purchased a mesmerizing 3d Postcard with planets on it

and all was well, very well indeed.

Enjoy your day, whatever it is you are doing, Onward Ever West.

“The symbolic view of things is a consequence of long absorption in images. Is sign language the real language of Paradise?” – Hugo Ball

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May 1, 2012. Paintings #88-#101, A bit of Inspiration, Critical Thinking and Spoon Playing.

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Robert Redus

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“An optimist is a fellow who believes what’s going to be will be postponed.” – Kin Hubbard

It is nice to see a section dedicated to the “Good News” something we far to often overlook for the the rest of the stuff that keeps us fearful or uncertain.

I’ve never been a real critical thinker until recently. I like to think it’s that artistic right side brain dominance that makes thinking critically seem like wiring a house for the very first time. Critical thinking is disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence. Here is a great site about critical thinking and another and yet another. The idea of thinking from an informed position rather than an emotional one really does make problem solving so much easier and quicker.

Here is some inspiration, it’s quick, long lasting and repeatable. Inspiration comes in many ways and the success is in the consistency of of the inspiring acts we do and do often.

How to be inspired and still think critically at the same time

Choose happiness over being right
Add urgency to everyday of life
Spend as little time as possible being negative
Do not postpone life one more second
Find out what really matters and make it your purpose

I am listining to “Two For The Road” with Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden

You’ve got to see this!

Be well. Enjoy your day,

OEW

“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.” – Jim Rohn

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Routes to Morro Bay, Encinitas and paintings #79-#87. Plus the Westfalia Mobile Library and Flying

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Robert Redus

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“The painter’s obsession with his subject is all that he needs to drive him to work.” – Lucian Freud

The photograph today is paintings, #79 – #87. Hey only 903 more to go!

I’ve attached a map that has 2 routes; one to Morro Bay the other to Encinitas. I am more familiar with the Morro Bay route. Any information about the road to Encinitas, please share.

It is interesting how much goes into traveling. In my journal, I’m writing down everything I feel is important, then giving it a priority, revisiting the whole things and seeing how accurate that priority truly is. This morning I realized the Westfalia needs a library. The books I have selected thus far are:

Granted, space is a factor, so the library will have rotating books. And along with the perfect reading there has to be “Road Music“, that kind that keeps the ride driving. Any Ideas?

Here is a great clip about flying and another and still another

Be well and enjoy your day

Onward Ever West

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April 21, 2012. Jewelry cases in, Trip planned as far as Jerome, it’s almost “Go Time”

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Robert Redus

”For every path you choose, there is another you must abandon, usually forever.” – John D. Vinge

Spring has arrived here in the high desert, and everything is in bloom, here is an incredible time lapse. Something that screams, “look how beautiful I am”.

Everything is progressing quickly for the trip west in a little less than a month from today. All is being arranged, stowed, narrowed down and essentially seeing how it all fits, finding its place for the journey.

Thursday, 4 jewelry cases were delivered, made by our friend Richard Parker. The cases came out great, they are beautifully made. Each is 2″x 2″, made of basswood and ash with Plexiglass lids. Part if this trip is to sell jewelry and small paintings along the coast at various outdoor markets and along the beach. These cases are going to make it much easier. Thank you Rich!

Looks like the tentative departure date is May 18th. Then it’s off to Flagstaff for a day and a stop at Mother Road onto Sedona for a couple of days, then Jerome for a night, and points west will appear.

I’ll camp along the way, find galleries/shops to carry my work, and paint at every opportunity.

Here are a few, “Illuminating” links:

Here is a very interesting Lifetime Consumption Chart and some great sites,

Night before last, I dreamed I was a short order cook in Clear Lake California, wonder what that was about?

Be well, I’ll keep you posted.

Onward Ever West.

“I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now.” – Henry David Thoreau

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April 17, 2012. Some daily bliss, a little TED and 10 Things The Westfalia Project has taught me

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Robert Redus

“Chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains.” - Jeff Rasley

Let me start today’s post with about 13 minutes of Bliss.

Now the big, “ahs” are done and hopefully the re-affirmation of what a great place we live in and on, how much there is to see and how little time there is to see it has set in. Perhaps today is that day that makes the shift, the significant jolt in life. So now it’s time to formulate the plan, create the goals, put them in place, announce to the world your intention, right?, maybe not. Derek Sivers , tells why not to say a thing.

10 Things I’ve learned from my current projects:

Plans are always open for negotiation: No plan is concrete and flawless, and requires a great deal of revisiting and remaking to become workable. Even a bad plan is better than no plan at all and can be re-worked to be a better plan.
Honesty Matters: That sounds pretty obvious, yet the honesty I am really addressing is about you, the person. The one making the plan. You have to be truthful about what you are capable of. Honest about the workings of your plan/idea, not omitting or eliminating anything, because it doesn’t fit, “Right Now”.
Recognizing Small Advantages: Small advantages often produce or at least lead us to greater opportunities. Those opportunities can only be recognized by you and only if you know what to look for. Small advantages are generally not recognized and pushed aside for what you’ve always done, because it’s worked OK until now.
Working Smart is NOT the substitute for Working Hard: Working smart is a great way of narrowing down the effort part of, “working hard” and creates no more time, just more advantage for the time available. You still have to work hard.
Knowing when to walk away is most important: Hanging onto an idea that is/has proven itself unworkable, unproductive, or not profitable, is completely invaluable. Walking away from what doesn’t work and won’t work under the current conditions is necessary in order to see what could change to make it work or if it must be discarded completely.
Good Strategy requires good Tactics: knowing the difference between strategy and tactics is essential. Strategy is the plan/method while Tactics are the maneuvers themselves. Sun Tzu writes about this in the “Art of War“
Defining the End Result matters: The End Result is only a place to pause until the the journey continues again. End Result may not even be real but a place you are able to look at where you have been and where you are going. Defining End Result is defining a place.
Define the “X” Minute Work Equation: Each of us works best in some time interval. I found mine was 70 minutes; after that my production drops a bit. So I work 70 minutes then take about 5 minutes to stand up, stretch, look out the window, drink some water, eat a piece of fruit, etc. I keep a clock at my desk, jewelry bench and easel. It works.
Selflessly Selfish : Bottom line is getting things done requires someone does it and for me, it’s me. I am only available when I am. Practice saying, “No I’m unable to do that”, and you don’t have to be sorry for not doing it.
Dividing The Day: Depending on what you do determines how you can divide the day up. Making a day into increments of designated time has allowed me to get more accomplished. I have 3 days that I work exclusively for myself, 2 days that my day is divided into 3 time slots that I, paint or make jewelry, teach private students, then teach classes that same evening. By knowing the divisions of each day I know what plans I can make.

I’d like to know what you do that increases your productivity, what makes you tic better.

I’m listening to Lyle Lovett/Keb Mo, “Til it shines”

“Art is the concrete representation of our most subtle feelings.” Agnes Martin

as always, please be well,

Onward Ever West

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April 12, 2012, Make your own Solar Panels, must buy Organic Food, and Green Products

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Robert Redus

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.” – Oscar Wilde

I began keeping a journal for the Westfalia Project, with all of my thoughts and ideas, every note, photograph and visual aspiration as well as all of the written stuff. There is something about documenting an event. It does more than just keep a record of activity, it helps bring the activity to life, gives it flesh and meaning, allows it to soar.

Kickstarter is a site that connects people with ideas to people who want to help fund those ideas and for as little as $5.00. Here is a great cause we recently donated to, “The First 70“. The idea of helping make an impact with not a great deal of personal out of pocket expense or effort makes donating to programs like this well worth it.

Look for our Kickstarter Project in the near future.

Here are a couple of great freebies:

Wallet guide for the “Have to be organic produce” and the site itself is really informative as well.
The 3 best DYI Solar Panel methods.

And a few terrific sites

Here is Sue’s small house thinking, Nice!

This is what I’m listening to right now, “September Fifteenth” and this is what I’m reading at night, ”The Biology of Belief ”

Be well, enjoy your day, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Onward Ever West.

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April 7, 2012. Music, Art and of course a Hand Beaded Volkswagen.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Robert Redus

“Glass Graveyard Marker” ©2012, Robert Redus

”Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – Sun Tzu

Last night there was a showing of donated, “Doors” at St. Clair Winery. The event was sponsored by The Sawmill Community Land Trust and some 20 doors, each painted, sculpted, and embellished by artists were available for viewing. The auction is on the 26th of April at the Hotel Albuquerque, from 5-8 pm. Here is a photograph of the door I painted for the benefit: (Click to enlarge)

Some of the doors were incredible, that kind of incredible that makes you wonder how it all happens. That’s the stuff I really like.

This will make you wonder as well………. Thank you Suzanne for the link. And it’s a VW.

Here are some sites I’ve found helpful and filled with good info:

What I’m listening to right now: Eliades Ochoa, “Siboney”

Be well and enjoy you’re weekend.

Onward Ever West

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March 31, 2012. Maiden Voyage T-Minus 46 and counting.

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Robert Redus

“You begin saving the world by saving one man at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics.” – Charles Bukowski

My high school biology teacher, Fulton Robinson, who was a true monotone speaker once told our class to never strive for grandiosity or mediocrity. He left it at that, leaving some 30+ students with this void of what to strive for after puberty. I thought of him today when I awakened at 4:41 am, asking myself, “What exactly am I doing?”. I immediately thought of a quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein

“A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that’s unlocked and opens inwards; as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push.”

Proposition, 2.033 from Tractatus Logica, says “Form is the possibility of structure.“, that being said I took a deep breath, slept extremely well for the rest of my slumber. Because it made the question of what I am doing, well…much easier to answer.

And I must say when I awakened later this morning, I got the Fulton Robinson, grandiosity and mediocrity conversation and got it clearly. Sort of a “let the chips fall where they may”, type of thinking. It is much easier to do something and see what happens rather than predict what might happen and do it based on the prediction. so that being said:

Maiden Voyage day is coming up soon for the Westfalia trip to California and I must admit I am overwhelmed with excitement.

Be well

Onward Ever West

„Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen.“ – Ludwig Wittgenstein

( ”Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.”)

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