Musak to My Ears, Those Liszt....

Had I’d known about Burning Man 40 years ago, I would have checked for gas money and taken off for Black Rock City thinking I would pick up the “crap I need” on the way. And I would have been perfectly happy and content. I would have had a great time.

Not today.

I’m older, but not necessarily wiser. I’m going to Burning Man this year. That’s probably NOT a wise decision. I’m over 60 years old, for crying out loud! I need more assurance than enough gas money. I need a list…

That list protects me. I check it daily – yes, you’re right; I’m not heading out to Black Rock City for a few more months. What’s your point? I need to know what I need to take and I need to know what I’m taking. The list is fine tuned daily as I accumulate the “crap I need”.

Forty years ago, I used a hatchet to pound in tent stakes, chop fire wood AND open the Pork & Beans. Today, I pack a rubber mallet, a 3-pound hammer, can opener and cork screw. No hatchet. Swiss Army knives are so out of vogue these days. I tossed one into the tool bag none-the-less.

Forty years ago, my tent was a pup tent: a flap of oiled canvas, two 3-foot poles, rope and 6 stakes. No floor; open on both ends. It worked and kept me dry. Sometimes.

Youth and ignorance seem to protect the young: I’m not so hardy these days. I have a real tent for Black Rock City which requires its own subheading on my list. It documents everything I need for this tent including tennis balls and clothes pins. There are fifteen separate entries under “tent.” I’m not sure it’s complete.

My list has over 160 line items. My mentors, Joe & Bill, have nearly 1,000 items on their list! I figure I’m roughing it. Last evening, I ordered a solar charger for my iPhone, MacBook Pro, camera and Nano. I need to remember to add those items to my list along with the music to bring. Franz Liszt is an obvious choice. It’s rough.

This excursion to Black Rock City may be the most challenging trip I’ve taken in my 62+ years. I’m looking forward to new experiences and challenges. I’m looking to re-connecting with that 22-year old geek who could take off for a weekend with a few cans of beans and a case of beer to explore the unknown. And I plan to have the time of my life!

While I’m obsessing about Burning Man, check out my web site at www.JerryLHanson.com . Contact me if you see something you like.

Contact me if you want to buy one of my pieces or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind!

Lastly, I apologize to any lovers of classical music or of Franz Liszt. I couldn’t resist the word play.

And thanks for listening!

Jerry L. Hanson

Now, Read This...

This was an eventful weekend. Or, shall I say, a weekend full of events? We had a house full of out of town guests. We attended the dedication of our new Synagogue building, theatre at the Mark Tapor Forum and my book club evening. All this in two days.

I belong to a book club that has been around for about 16 years. I’ve been a member for 14 of those years. I initially joined to broaden my reading experiences.

The vast majority of the members of this book club are physicians. Initially, I was one of only two non-physicians. Even today, there are only 3 or four non-physicians. Their busy practices mean they have limited free time to read. We meet every other month to give every one an opportunity to complete the book.

For me, that meant that I would have read at least 6 more novels by the time we met to discuss the chosen tome. I often re-read the novel to refresh my memory for the characters and the plot.

Over the years the format of the discussion groups has changed.

In the early days, we met at someone’s home. We still do. However, what began as a Saturday afternoon discussing a novel over cheese, crackers and wine, developed into an evening sit-down dinner.

What began as a discussion of a novel, changed to include wine tasting with vintages chosen based on the novel. A novel set in France guaranteed French wines. I had some difficulty picking a wine when we read “Little Dorrit.” I took Sherry.

About 5 years ago, someone had the brilliant to idea to select a movie for discussion in addition to the novel and wine tasting. The difficulty level increased significantly.

We were to read a novel, watch a selected movie that somehow related to the novel AND select a wine that had some connection to both the movie and the novel.

That poor novel was often left un-discussed after 14 members tasted bottles 14 wine. I am not a moviegoer. I do not have a palette for wine. Often, I did not see the selected film and I don’t enjoy wine tastings. I enjoy wine. I cannot taste the damned apricot or smell the soil of the Rhone Valley. I’ve been to the Rhone Valley: smells just like dirt.

I stopped participating in the book club. I continued to read the selections. I always welcome a suggestion for a novel or author I’ve not read. I continued to make suggestions for the next meeting. I just didn’t attend the discussions.

I missed my friends. I missed that bi-monthly event where we could all get together outside of work, let loose and have a good time. That was a revelation. This incredibly busy group of physicians scheduled one evening every other month just for this purpose.

The book was the catalyst for bringing everyone together. And isn’t that why I initially joined: to widen my experiences; to break out of my normal routine. I began attending again. I read the book and if we didn’t discuss it, that was OK. I was spending time with friends, friends I seldom see other than at the book discussions.

Oh! The book we read for Saturday’s discussion was “A Thing of Beauty” by Steve Martin. The play at the Mark Tabor was “Burn This.” I don’t know what movie we were supposed to watch and I have no idea what wines we drank…

I can’t wait to hear what the next reading selection will be! And, I’m bringing a wine totally unrelated to the novel just to see if anyone notice and mess with their minds. They’re physicians; it’s easy.

Please take time to visit my website at www.JerryLHanson.com. Take a look at my artwork. Contact me if you want to buy one of my works or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind.

And thank you for listening

Jerry L. Hanson

Blood, Sweat & Tears (of Joy)

I have two things dueling for my attention these days: Synagogue Art and Burning Man. The past several weeks have been about creating art for my synagogue. Burning Man is on the back burner, so to speak.

I’ve been in Los Angeles nearly every weekend since the end of February working collaboratively with my artist friend, Davi. She and I have worked together creating art since 1997. I love this woman! However, we are both married to a wonderful man & woman. We even celebrate our anniversaries 10 days apart – same number of years too!

So, Davi and I have been building the Eternal Light for the sanctuary. I’ve written about our process several times. I spent several weekends cutting large panes of glass into one-inch squares: about three thousand of them. It’s the kind of mindless Zen process I enjoy. It’s a meditative exercise for me.

It’s not unusual for Davi to slap me up side the head saying, “Jerry! We needed 20 of that color. You’ve cut about 200. Stop!”

We began constructing the light last weekend. Our goal was to complete it this weekend. Actually, that was MY goal. Davi’s goal was to complete it by 4:00 PM Saturday. She is a bit more OCD than I.

I arrived in LA Saturday at 9:30AM and we were in the studio working by 10:00 AM. At 10:45 AM I cut a piece of glass and sliced my finger open. The cut wasn’t “bad”. It wasn’t deep: it didn’t require stitches. It just wouldn’t stop bleeding. I was leaking all over the place. I wrapped a paper towel around my finger & kept working with Davi scolding me for “turning everything red.”

I managed to cut myself three more times before we completed the Eternal Light. Yeah. I’m a klutz, sometimes.

We finished the glass portion at 8:00 PM Saturday with Davi reminding me several times that we’d missed “our” goal.

We missed Davi’s goal, but not dinner. We closed up the studio in record time and were sitting down to dinner within 15 minutes. I crawled into bed exhausted at 9:30.

Sunday morning, I was up & showered by 6 AM. Davi was up early, too. We were both outside admiring our work in the sunlight. Natural sun through art glass is bliss. We walked around and around our work until we were both dizzy & teary eyed. We are both pleased with our work. Can I say that? Yes! I love what we created!

I glued in the light fixture and once the glue dries, I can attach the hanging mechanism and deliver the Eternal Light for installation. The building dedication is next Sunday.

And now we are onto our next project: making the mezzuot for the building. Rabbi Edwards asked us to make one. Somehow, it’s morphed into 20. Knowing me, we’ll end up making 50. It’s a Zen thing.

On a different subject, I‘m offering a couple of special deals on my artwork. I have pricing for most budgets – check them out here: http://dld.bz/KxWff. Contact me if you see something you like and please visit the rest of my website while you are there. Take a look at my artwork. And, while you’re checking things out at http://dld.bz/KxWf, sign up for my Newsletter. Add some spice to your reading life….

Contact me if you want to buy one of my pieces or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind!

Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson

Playa Bike Bling

The first thing I got for my trip to Black Rock City (BRC) was a bicycle. It seems to be on the top of every Burner’s “Must Have” list. So, that was my first Burning Man supply item. And then, I learn I need to trick it out.

This is my first trip to Burning Man and this bike thing had me stumped. “Can’t I just write my name on it?” Apparently not. Even the Burning Man Survival Guide says, “… decorate your Bike and the more lights, the better.”

With no city lights in BRC, being seen after dark and seeing others is an issue. So I now have front lights that go bright to BRIGHT and a rear lights that flash white & red lights in 4 different combinations. I got LED spoke lights that turn the spinning wheels into light discs.

The lights take care of the night but not the daylight hours. I want to be able to spot my Huffy Beach Cruiser easily among the plethora of bikes on the Playa. I’m SURE I won’t have the ONLY green Huffy on the Playa.

I got my Craig’s List bike checked out for Playa-worthiness. The brakes work, the handle bar is now perpendicular to the wheel and frame. I replace the old sticky plastic seat. Who or what sat on that thing to get it that sticky? On second thought, I’d rather NOT know…. And I had a basket mounted up front.

I still have months to ponder a carrier over the back wheel & fender. Yeah! The bike has its original shiny chrome fenders! Cool! I have a bell and the lights I mentioned earlier. Still: not enough Playa Bling. I’m an artist. It should not be this difficult.

I took a virtual stroll through the 2010 Burning Man Year Book looking specifically at bicycles. They pretty much run the gamut from Ho-Hum Boring to Holy Crap Cool! Then it hit me: my art is recycled junk. I didn’t have to look any further than my studio, my own artwork!

I’d made a shower screen from tin can lids. I made a room divider from Tomato Juice cans. I use soda can tabs in my artwork. There must be a way to incorporate some of these materials.

I experimented with chainmail inserted in the frame opening. The attaching wire was more prominent than the chainmail itself. Reject.

I experimented with jump rings and soda can tabs attached to the handlebars and frame. It was not very visible and very boring. Reject.

And then I spotted the basket. There was the perfect place! I am proficient using an ice pick to poke holes in tin lids and make jump rings from scrap wire: the idea is to recycle. I embellished the lids with soda can tabs. I used a couple hundred tin can lids and even more tab tops. I attached tin can lids to the basket in a design pleasing only to me.

I took my newly decorated bike for a test spin. I thought I’d be jangling and clanging all over the place. I was surprised! It sounded more like falling rain. I was reminded of the Apache Burden Basket: they have leather fringes with a tin cone at the end of each fringe. They, too, sound like falling rain. I cannot sneak up on anyone day or night!

Now I’m rethinking that back carrier. Can I incorporate more tin can lids on the back of the bike? Hmmmm… You can never have enough bling!

While I’m obsessing about Burning Man, I‘m also offering a couple of special deals on my artwork. I have pricing for most budgets – check them out here: http://dld.bz/KxWff. Contact me if you see something you like and please visit the rest of my website while you are there. Take a look at my artwork. And, while you’re checking things out at http://dld.bz/KxWf, sign up for my Newsletter. Add some spice to your reading life….

Contact me if you want to buy one of my pieces or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind!

Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson

One Week Only: Black Rock City!

Black Rock City

For one week each year, Black Rock City is the third largest city in Nevada. The other 51 weeks, Black Rock City does not exist. Entry to the city is strictly controlled. If you do not have your “passport”, you cannot enter the city. I have my “passport”, (aka ticket). And I am excited to be going.

Black Rock City is the annual home of Burning Man and is considered one of the harshest environments in the US. Considering there are no utilities or other amenities, they may be right! Black Rock City (BRC) is about 4,000-feet in elevation, in the Nevada desert.

Phsssst. I live in the desert 52 weeks a year. I know desserts.

Palm Springs is at or below sea level, depending upon where one stands when measuring. It’s stinking hot here in August, day and night. It’s stinking hot in BRC, too. Only during the day: at night the temperatures can drop into the 40’s or even lower. THAT desert, I am not used to! Coping with a 60 to 80 degree temperature change is a challenge.

I’m a Burning Man Virgin: this will be my first Burn. If you are a Burner, please don’t laugh too loudly at my naiveté. Next year, I shall know better.

My friend, Joe, has gone home to Burning Man for years. He is my Mentor. “Wear fur,” he says. “FUR?” I ask incredulously. “I would worry about all the PETA people! And, I’m sure they are there!” “Faux fur…” “Oh……” Again, my naiveté For those cold nights on the Playa, one finds ways to express one’s self through creative dress. Faux Fur… Dress is art. Or, sometimes, it’s just a dress…

I shop on-line. If it’s not the local thrift store (read second-hand), I’m shopping on-line. Love Amazon.com! I found faux fur, burgundy & grey, 3-inch fur for $15.00 a yard AND that yard is 60 inches wide! I purchased 4 yards! That’s a lot of faux. Now I have to figure out what to make with all that fur. I’m thinking a cloak. I can use it as a blanket during the night, Sew……..

Four months ago, I was cleaning out my studio, getting rid of all those useless things I’ve been holding on to. I took my Singer Sewing Machine to the second-hand store since I’d not used it for over 20 years. Damn! WHAT was I thinking?!?!

While I’m obsessing about Burning Man, I‘m also offering a couple of special deals on my artwork. I have pricing for most budgets – check them out here: http://dld.bz/KxWff. Contact me if you see something you like and please visit the rest of my website while you are there. Take a look at my artwork. And, while you’re checking things out at http://dld.bz/KxWf, sign up for my Newsletter. Add some spice to your reading life….

Contact me if you want to buy one of my pieces or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind!

Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson

On the Road Again...

My husband, Doc, returned from a week in Puerto Vallarta yesterday. He had a wonderful time. I stayed home and I had a wonderful time. Doc spent his time on the beach, eating and bar hopping. I spent my time making art in my studio. I picked Doc up at LAX & we drove home to Palm Springs last night.

At the end of this week, we both fly off to Ft Lauderdale, FL. I was last there in 1958. Doc has never been. It will no doubt feel as if I’ve never been: I was eight years old then. Fifty-three years later, I’m sure my memories of Ft Lauderdale no longer reflect reality.

We are going to visit long time friends from Cleveland, OH. We met Gregg & Howard in Amsterdam twenty-one years ago. We’ve kept in touch through the years. Gregg & Howard travel to the west coast far more than we head east. It must be something about the snow. Yeah, I don’t do snow well.

Awhile back, Gregg & Howard bought a house in Ft Lauderdale with two other couples. I remember sitting on their patio as the six of them drew up legal a documents and hammered out their limited partnership agreement. This past December, Gregg reminded me that that was 12 years ago! 12 years ago!?!? Where does the time go?!?!?

Every year they invite us to spend time with them in Florida. There has always been a reason why not: all legitimate, although after the 6^th time, ANY reason sounds lame. I was either traveling for work or Doc couldn’t rearrange his schedule. It’s so embarrassing. We planned vacations 18 months ahead in those pre-retirement days.

I’m looking forward to this sojourn as a way of clearing my head. I’ve been working this past month on art projects for my synagogue. A week away will do me good. When I return, I can dive back into those synagogue projects with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

So, we’re flying to Ft Lauderdale to visit a week in their new/old vacation home and I’m looking forward to spending quality time with Gregg & Howard. I truly enjoy their company. I do hope it’s warm there. I am going with no pre-conceptions of Ft Lauderdale. Fifty-three years ago, I remember touring Thomas Edison’s laboratory.

Oh, wait! That’s in Ft Myers Sigh. Was it Ft Lauderdale I visited in 1958 or was it Ft Myers?

While I’m obsessing about a trip 53 years ago, I‘m offering a couple of special deals on my artwork. I have pricing for most budgets – check them out here: http://dld.bz/KxWf. Contact me if you see something you like and please visit the rest of my website while you are there. Take a look at my artwork. And, while you’re checking things out at http://dld.bz/KxWf, sign up for my Newsletter. Add some spice to your reading life….

Contact me if you want to buy one of my pieces or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind!

Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson

Fired Up

This weekend has been busy, fun and productive. I took my husband to LAX and he flew off to Puerto Vallarta for an eight-day sojourn on a tropical beach. It’s his first vacation since 1982 without me. He’s only called once; I assume he’s having a good time

From LAX I drove into West Hollywood to friends Davi & Bracha. Since my move to Palm Springs, we don’t visit enough. Bracha, Davi & I are having a great visit, too!

Davi and I collaborated on a stained glass project for our synagogue. I saw Davi every week for 7 years as we built those windows. We are again collaborating on a project for our NEW synagogue building. I wrote briefly about it two weeks ago. We’re making doors for the new Ark, the Eternal Light for the new sanctuary and the Eternal Light for the smaller chapel.

We are also making markers for the Yarzeit Board (Memorial Board). Our new building will be the second Synagogue in California certified green. To reduce electrical use, we are making fused glass markers for the Yarzeit Board to be used instead of light bulbs. The glass for the markers come from the shards left over from the stained glass window.

Neither Davi nor I have ever taken a class in how to fuse glass. Ten years ago, we just bought a small fusing kiln and gave it a go. We received two pieces of advice when we purchased the kiln: 1. Use glass from the same manufacturer, and 2. Keep an eye on that kiln.

Sage advice. We have forgotten that advice on occasion to disastrous results. One time we set our work in the kiln, turned it on and got sidetracked. We were reminded of the kiln when we smelled the tabletop burning. The kiln was lost but the house was saved from certain disaster. We purchased another kiln AND a timer.

Another time we neglected to pay attention to the source of the glass we used. We fired the glass, let it cool and set it aside for another day. A week later, as we were having lunch in the studio, those pieces spontaneously exploded! We dove for cover thinking there was a drive-by shooting! Yeah, our studio was in that sort of neighborhood.

Today, we set up the kiln and turned it on, remembering to set the timer. Timer went off. We checked the kiln. Needed another minute or so. Then we got sidetracked and forgot about it. Fortunately, we remembered before we ruined the kiln. The 9 pieces in the kiln fused into one large blob but the kiln was saved.

Making these Yarzeit markers is addictive. The synagogue needs only 15 markers for any given week. We’re making 100 of these puppies. They are just too much fun to make! And we have been making art these past two days. I’m in heaven. Beats Puerto Vallarta.

I‘m offering a couple of special deals on my artwork. I have pricing for most budgets – check them out here: http://dld.bz/KxWf. Contact me if you see something you like and please visit the rest of my website while you are there. Take a look at my artwork. And, while you’re checking things out at http://dld.bz/KxWf, sign up for my Newsletter. Add some spice to your reading life….

Contact me if you want to buy one of my pieces or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website or you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you (include your contact info!). You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind!

Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson