I added some new links to more articles featuring the "Da Vinci's Challenge" game.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Hyperspace Engine Being Developed!!!
Wow!!! There is an article on the UK's Scotsman.com about a hyperspace engine being developed by the U.S. government that uses magnetic fields to warp gravity & space-time, which would shift a craft to another dimension - where otherwise impossible speeds can be attained!
We are living in a time where people still believe that Genesis is literally true, yet we are also investigating inter-dimensional travel!!!... No wonder the world seems like it's going insane.
The really interesting part, for me, is the fact that when I was younger I had a UFO model kit based on the descriptions of Bob Lazar, who claims to have worked at Area 51 reverse-engineering alien spacecraft. It came with an awesome booklet that described, according to Lazar, how the ship's *gravity propulsion* system worked. Maybe the stories of Area 51 and the Philadelphia Experiment aren't so far-fetched after all.
We are living in a time where people still believe that Genesis is literally true, yet we are also investigating inter-dimensional travel!!!... No wonder the world seems like it's going insane.
The really interesting part, for me, is the fact that when I was younger I had a UFO model kit based on the descriptions of Bob Lazar, who claims to have worked at Area 51 reverse-engineering alien spacecraft. It came with an awesome booklet that described, according to Lazar, how the ship's *gravity propulsion* system worked. Maybe the stories of Area 51 and the Philadelphia Experiment aren't so far-fetched after all.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Al-Qaeda Application Discovered!!!
You might have heard that the government has said they discovered the completely-real-and-definitely-not-made-up application that US citizen & 'enemy combatant' Jose Padilla used to join Al-Qaeda! I'm pretty sure they also found his Al-Qaeda pay stubs & also his Al-Qaeda employee discount card...
Anyway, the very patriotic Jesus' General has obtained an exclusive scan of this elusive document!!!
Anyway, the very patriotic Jesus' General has obtained an exclusive scan of this elusive document!!!
(Don't be fooled, it only looks like a 'Young Republicans' application...
those Al-Qaeda are sneaky bastards!)
those Al-Qaeda are sneaky bastards!)
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Mysteries of Ergot
Since I posted about Dr Hoffman's discovery, I thought I'd also add this info about the ritual use of sacred psychedelic plants and fungi in the ancient mystery religions,... the Mysteries of Eleusis in particular:
"Some scholars believe that the power of the Eleusinian Mysteries came from the kykeon's functioning as a psychedelic agent; this was argued most extensively in The Road to Eleusis, by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hoffman, and Carl A. P. Ruck. Barley may be parasitized by the fungus ergot, which contains LSA, a precursor to LSD. It is thus possible that the initiates, sensitized by their fast and prepared by preceding ceremonies, were propelled by the effects of a powerful psychoactive potion into revelatory mind states with profound spiritual and intellectual ramifications. "
"Some scholars believe that the power of the Eleusinian Mysteries came from the kykeon's functioning as a psychedelic agent; this was argued most extensively in The Road to Eleusis, by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hoffman, and Carl A. P. Ruck. Barley may be parasitized by the fungus ergot, which contains LSA, a precursor to LSD. It is thus possible that the initiates, sensitized by their fast and prepared by preceding ceremonies, were propelled by the effects of a powerful psychoactive potion into revelatory mind states with profound spiritual and intellectual ramifications. "
Father of LSD Turns 100
Albert Hoffman, the discoverer of the psychedelic compound lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), is really old.
Artists are Sexy & Crazy
I just think it's easier for creative people to toss aside the man-made arbitrary rules & norms of society... because they tend to think "outside the box" and challenge the boundaries of experience.
Disturbing Finds from the GAO
Here are some perfectly outrageous tidbits from the federal Government Accountability Office...
First, under the "Sure!!! Let's Just Toss Our Money Out the Window!" Dept.:
"The Pentagon has no accurate knowledge of the cost of military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan or the fight against terrorism, limiting Congress's ability to oversee spending, the Government Accountability Office concluded in a report released yesterday."
This fall, voters should just clean house by voting out any incumbents in Congress who aren't dealing with these important issues.
Oh crap, I forgot...
(From the "George W. Bush Really DID Win in November 2004!" Dept.):
First, under the "Sure!!! Let's Just Toss Our Money Out the Window!" Dept.:
"The Pentagon has no accurate knowledge of the cost of military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan or the fight against terrorism, limiting Congress's ability to oversee spending, the Government Accountability Office concluded in a report released yesterday."
This fall, voters should just clean house by voting out any incumbents in Congress who aren't dealing with these important issues.
Oh crap, I forgot...
(From the "George W. Bush Really DID Win in November 2004!" Dept.):
Government Accounting Office Election Report
"The exit polls showed Kerry winning in Ohio, until an unexplained last minute shift gave the election to Bush. Similar definitive shifts also occurred in Iowa, Nevada and New Mexico, a virtual statistical impossibility."
"The exit polls showed Kerry winning in Ohio, until an unexplained last minute shift gave the election to Bush. Similar definitive shifts also occurred in Iowa, Nevada and New Mexico, a virtual statistical impossibility."
The last bit is why I never accepted the fact that The Smirking Chimp won the last election. I watched with my own eyes that night, as I stayed up watching the election coverage, the results of the exit polls showing Kerry winning completely reverse when the numbers started coming in. The media started blaming the exit polls, and I realized Grand Theft America II had occured.
The real kicker came after the "Orange Revolution" took place in the Ukraine when the exit polls and vote counts didn't match up. In that case, everyone agreed that the election had been stolen!!!
But whatever... let Dubya & Darth Cheney run the country into the ground!!! That will make it easier for Americans to remember never to allow fascism again, and to never support anyone from or associated with the Bush Cartel ever again.
The real kicker came after the "Orange Revolution" took place in the Ukraine when the exit polls and vote counts didn't match up. In that case, everyone agreed that the election had been stolen!!!
But whatever... let Dubya & Darth Cheney run the country into the ground!!! That will make it easier for Americans to remember never to allow fascism again, and to never support anyone from or associated with the Bush Cartel ever again.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Introverted Behavior
Tell me something I don't know...
"Introverted children enjoy the internal world of thoughts, feelings and fantasies, and there's a physiological reason for this.
Researchers using brain scans have found introverts have more brain activity in general, and specifically in the frontal lobes.
When these areas are activated, introverts are energized by retrieving long-term memories, problem solving, introspection, complex thinking and planning."
"Introverted children enjoy the internal world of thoughts, feelings and fantasies, and there's a physiological reason for this.
Researchers using brain scans have found introverts have more brain activity in general, and specifically in the frontal lobes.
When these areas are activated, introverts are energized by retrieving long-term memories, problem solving, introspection, complex thinking and planning."
Experts: Introverted Youth Have Deep Roots for Behavior
"He who knows, does not speak.
He who speaks, does not know."
-LaoTzu
"He who knows, does not speak.
He who speaks, does not know."
-LaoTzu
MSNBC Questions 9/11 Story
This is a segment that was on Tucker Carlson's show on MSNBC that I watched when it aired.
To me, the only watchable part of his show is when Rachel Maddow is on. Tucker Carlson himself makes sense only about 50% of the time. However, it was encouraging to see the corporate media actually presenting alternatives other than the ridiculous story that the government and news have force-fed the public about the events of September 11th. (The fact that Tucker can't fathom it is irrelevant.)
Questioning What Happened on 9/11
If you have trouble believing that government officials, foreign agents, and elements of the military-industrial complex wouldn't commit a criminal conspiracy against our own people... well, you just need a little historical perpective, that's all.
To me, the only watchable part of his show is when Rachel Maddow is on. Tucker Carlson himself makes sense only about 50% of the time. However, it was encouraging to see the corporate media actually presenting alternatives other than the ridiculous story that the government and news have force-fed the public about the events of September 11th. (The fact that Tucker can't fathom it is irrelevant.)
Questioning What Happened on 9/11
If you have trouble believing that government officials, foreign agents, and elements of the military-industrial complex wouldn't commit a criminal conspiracy against our own people... well, you just need a little historical perpective, that's all.
ABC News: Operation Northwoods
"The plans were developed as ways to trick the American public and the international community into supporting a war to oust Cuba's then new leader, communist Fidel Castro.
America's top military brass even contemplated causing U.S. military casualties, writing: 'We could blow up a U.S. ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba,' and, 'casualty lists in U.S. newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation.'"
America's top military brass even contemplated causing U.S. military casualties, writing: 'We could blow up a U.S. ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba,' and, 'casualty lists in U.S. newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation.'"
Project for a New American Century
A Who's Who of current government hardliners and 'neoconservatives' who's vision of America stinks of fascism and imperialism.
"According to their own document, their stated goals would not be realized “absent some catastrophic catalyzing event –like a new Pearl Harbor”."
(How interesting that such a thing happened... exactly when so many of these 'neo-cons' were roaming the halls of government & military power under George W. Bush in 2001. Just a coincidence, I'm sure.)
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Deep Thoughts
Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy was one of my favorite SNL skits.
Here are some great Deep Thoughts I found here...
"I bet one legend that keeps recurring throughout history,
in every culture, is the story of Popeye."
"To me, clowns aren't funny.
In fact, they're kind of scary.
I've wondered where this started
and I think it goes back to the time
I went to the circus,
and a clown killed my dad."
"When I was a kid my favorite relative was Uncle Caveman.
After school we'd all go play in his cave,
and every once in a while he would eat one of us.
It wasn't until later that I found out
that Uncle Caveman was a bear."
"I wish a robot would get elected president.
That way, when he came to town,
we could all take a shot at him and not feel too bad."
" If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer,
I bet you could shoot beer out of you nose."
"When you're riding in a time machine way far into the future,
don't stick your elbow out the window,
or it'll turn into a fossil."
"Maybe in order to understand mankind,
we have to look at the word itself:
"Mankind"
Basically, it's made up of two separate words
- "mank" and "ind".
What do these words mean?
It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind."
Here are some great Deep Thoughts I found here...
"I bet one legend that keeps recurring throughout history,
in every culture, is the story of Popeye."
"To me, clowns aren't funny.
In fact, they're kind of scary.
I've wondered where this started
and I think it goes back to the time
I went to the circus,
and a clown killed my dad."
"When I was a kid my favorite relative was Uncle Caveman.
After school we'd all go play in his cave,
and every once in a while he would eat one of us.
It wasn't until later that I found out
that Uncle Caveman was a bear."
"I wish a robot would get elected president.
That way, when he came to town,
we could all take a shot at him and not feel too bad."
" If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer,
I bet you could shoot beer out of you nose."
"When you're riding in a time machine way far into the future,
don't stick your elbow out the window,
or it'll turn into a fossil."
"Maybe in order to understand mankind,
we have to look at the word itself:
"Mankind"
Basically, it's made up of two separate words
- "mank" and "ind".
What do these words mean?
It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind."
...Damn, just found more "Deep Thoughts"!
Perpetual Machine Created!
This is pretty crazy, especially because it plays the wacky music from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.
Monday, January 02, 2006
"The Arrest Wing"
I figured I'd start the New Year off with some wishful "humor" about the Worst President Ever.
This amazing reporting was done by everyone's favorite tabloid, The Weekly World News.
Would the people who brought us 'Batboy' report anything but verified facts?
I think not!
This amazing reporting was done by everyone's favorite tabloid, The Weekly World News.
Would the people who brought us 'Batboy' report anything but verified facts?
I think not!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Saturday, December 17, 2005
New JibJab Video: "2-0-5"
JibJab has made some hysterical political animations, & this one is no exception. It is about Dubya's predictably disasterous 2nd term, and all the troubles that have been plaguing him as a result of the incompetence & corruption of the Bush Family Evil Empire.
Click Here for the JibJab homepage,
and click on the big "2-0-5" box
w/ the Commander in Cheat's smirk.
and click on the big "2-0-5" box
w/ the Commander in Cheat's smirk.
UFO Daylight Video - Bulgaria
This video is pretty crazy. It shows a UFO hovering by a building & zipping away. It looks pretty real, to my discerning eye.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
"Da Vinci's Challenge Articles" update
Updated the post with links to various articles about the Da Vinci's Challenge game that can be found online.
Added the Courier Post article, a article from the Calgary Sun about a 'game night' with Da Vinci's Challenge, and an online review by Tom Vasel that I've seen posted & linked around the web.
Added the Courier Post article, a article from the Calgary Sun about a 'game night' with Da Vinci's Challenge, and an online review by Tom Vasel that I've seen posted & linked around the web.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
"Meet the World"
This is a very interesting campaign by a Brazilian artist using the different color areas in a country's flag to represent certain statistics about that country. The data is from actual UNICEF or United Nations studies. For instance, the American flag conveys the spectrum of sentiment about the Iraq war:
Monday, December 05, 2005
Da Vinci's Challenge - Courier-Post 12/3/05
I am posting scans of the article that the South Jersey Courier-Post ran about Da Vinci's Challenge on Saturday, Dec. 3rd 2005.
Click here for the Courier-Post online version.
The article exceeded my expectations. Reporter Frank Halperin, photographer Chris LaChall, and the editors & staff put together a really cool piece. At first I thought it was going to run in the Sunday paper, but Frank called me on Saturday to tell me it was in that day's edition.
My Dad stopped by my house to pick something up right after I got the call, so we both went over to the Wawa down the street to check it out. We saw the banner on the top of the front page, and opened to the Living section to see a my mug & Da Vinci's Challenge taking up the whole front page! I have to admit I gave out a "Wooo-hoo!!!" in the store.
It was really important to me to have my Dad there, with a big smile on his face, to see my efforts really starting to pay off. Both of my parents raised me to always do my best, and anything that I ever accomplish in my life is to their credit.
The depth of the article was great, also covering my employers/partners Alan & Alice Gorney, our company 3 Amoebas, the toy company Briarpatch, and the creation of Da Vinci's Challenge at Rowan University.
Click here for the Courier-Post online version.
The article exceeded my expectations. Reporter Frank Halperin, photographer Chris LaChall, and the editors & staff put together a really cool piece. At first I thought it was going to run in the Sunday paper, but Frank called me on Saturday to tell me it was in that day's edition.
My Dad stopped by my house to pick something up right after I got the call, so we both went over to the Wawa down the street to check it out. We saw the banner on the top of the front page, and opened to the Living section to see a my mug & Da Vinci's Challenge taking up the whole front page! I have to admit I gave out a "Wooo-hoo!!!" in the store.
It was really important to me to have my Dad there, with a big smile on his face, to see my efforts really starting to pay off. Both of my parents raised me to always do my best, and anything that I ever accomplish in my life is to their credit.
The depth of the article was great, also covering my employers/partners Alan & Alice Gorney, our company 3 Amoebas, the toy company Briarpatch, and the creation of Da Vinci's Challenge at Rowan University.
Click on an image for a larger scan.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Secrets of "Da Vinci's Challenge" (relinked)
Relinked to this post for the benefit of anyone who is visiting my blog as a result of the article that will be in the Courier-Post paper and website this Sunday, Dec. 4th.
This is a computer-generated 3D model I am working on
of the 'Classic' version of Da Vinci's Challenge
that I created as senior design student at Rowan University.
"Secrets of Da Vinci's Challenge"
(There are more links down the right side
of The Monkey Buddha main page.)
(There are more links down the right side
of The Monkey Buddha main page.)
This is a computer-generated 3D model I am working onof the 'Classic' version of Da Vinci's Challenge
that I created as senior design student at Rowan University.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Da Vinci's Challenge in Target Ad
Da Vinci's Challenge was shown with other 'Party Games' in the Target weekly circular ad for 11/26/05.
Since looking through the Sunday circular ads to see what's new or on sale has been a weekly ritual in my parents' house growing up, it's cool to see my creation in there.
Here is an image of the page, click on the picture to expand it. Da Vinci's Challenge is in the bottom right photo of games - it's at the bottom of the stack.
Since looking through the Sunday circular ads to see what's new or on sale has been a weekly ritual in my parents' house growing up, it's cool to see my creation in there.
Here is an image of the page, click on the picture to expand it. Da Vinci's Challenge is in the bottom right photo of games - it's at the bottom of the stack.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Mystery Initiation
The initiate is placed in the psychic condition of a person at the moment of death, his consciousness withdrawn from externals, restricted to and focused upon his mind's internal content, which he is directed to explore and contemplate.The person initiated begins to experience a force kindled within him, his true spirit. A new being has entered him and become active in his life. Forces slumbering within are awakened; he begins to experience inspiration from a Higher Source and feels the necessity to act in such a manner that he can share in the life of others. Spiritual transformation--re-birth--has occured, bringing about a change in that part of him that is open to "intuition," the voice of "the teacher within."
The Higher Mysteries
Esoteric Christianity
(Essays from the Metaphysical Section
of The New Enlightenment website)
Esoteric Christianity
(Essays from the Metaphysical Section
of The New Enlightenment website)
There's aMonkey Buddha
in all of us!
: )
: )
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Da Vinci's Challenge Articles
I am going to use this post to keep an ongoing record of all the print and web articles that mention or feature the Da Vinci's Challenge board game.
Rowan University Magazine
Micarelli's Game is Serious Business
MSNBC.com
2005 Holiday Guide - Get Smart! Toys for Kids
South Jersey Courier-Post
Are You Game?
2006 Toy Fair
Press for new Da Vinci's Challenge games
Washington Post
Da Vinci's Challenge - Easy to Learn, Hard to Master
About.com
Top 10 Mass Market Games of 2005
Top Toys of 2005Best Teen Toys
Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Games
2005 Mensa Winners
Da Vinci Code Games
Edplay Magazine
Top 10 Fabulous Products
Vineland Daily Journal
The Da Vinci Challenge
Calgary Sun
Oh the Games People Play!
The News Journal of Delaware
Toys Aren't All Fun & Games to This Mom
The Tennessean
Reap the Riches of Family Game Night
Today's Parent.com
Top Toys of 2005 - Preteen
Family Fun Magazine
8 Great New Games for Families
Wikipedia Article
Da Vinci's Challenge
All Info About.com
All Info About Da Vinci's Challenge
Board Game Geek.com
Da Vinci's Challenge reviews
Bella Online - The Voice of Women
5-Star Review - Da Vinci's Challenge
Major Fun.com
Hall of Fame - Da Vinci's Challenge
Da Vinci's Challenge Review
Article by Tom Vasel
Rowan University News & Happenings
Classroom Project Becomes Award Winning Game
Toy Directory 2006 Preview
Da Vinci's Mancala
Da Vinci's Challenge Card Game
Boston Herald article (on WTOP website)
Marketer's Follow "Da Vinci" Success with Merchandise
Rowan University MagazineMicarelli's Game is Serious Business
MSNBC.com
2005 Holiday Guide - Get Smart! Toys for Kids
South Jersey Courier-Post
Are You Game?
2006 Toy Fair
Press for new Da Vinci's Challenge games
Washington Post
Da Vinci's Challenge - Easy to Learn, Hard to Master
About.com
Top 10 Mass Market Games of 2005
Top Toys of 2005Best Teen Toys
Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Games
2005 Mensa Winners
Da Vinci Code Games
Edplay Magazine
Top 10 Fabulous Products
Vineland Daily Journal
The Da Vinci Challenge
Calgary Sun
Oh the Games People Play!
The News Journal of Delaware
Toys Aren't All Fun & Games to This Mom
The Tennessean
Reap the Riches of Family Game Night
Today's Parent.com
Top Toys of 2005 - Preteen
Family Fun Magazine
8 Great New Games for Families
Wikipedia Article
Da Vinci's Challenge
All Info About.com
All Info About Da Vinci's Challenge
Board Game Geek.com
Da Vinci's Challenge reviews
Bella Online - The Voice of Women
5-Star Review - Da Vinci's Challenge
Major Fun.com
Hall of Fame - Da Vinci's Challenge
Da Vinci's Challenge Review
Article by Tom Vasel
Rowan University News & Happenings
Classroom Project Becomes Award Winning Game
Toy Directory 2006 Preview
Da Vinci's Mancala
Da Vinci's Challenge Card Game
Boston Herald article (on WTOP website)
Marketer's Follow "Da Vinci" Success with Merchandise
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
StarWars Battlefront 2
Figured I might as well do a trilogy of Star Wars posts. I couldn't hold off getting Battlefront 2 after watching the Star Wars saga on Saturday. I enjoyed the first game, and they somehow made this even more fun.
*Any game that lets you be these guys
is on the top of my list:
*Any game that lets you be these guys
is on the top of my list:
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Star Wars Marathon
This past weekend, my sister Mandi & her husband Greg had a Star Wars Movie Marathon at their house. We watched all 6 movies in a row in a span of... 16 hours!!! There were a bunch of family & friends coming and going throughout the day, but us 3 and Mandi's friend Warren stuck out the whole saga.
We started Ep. I at 10AM and finished Return of the Jedi by 3AM the next morning. They had a projector hooked up to a laptop, and we used their large spare room as a mini-theater, with one entire wall as a screen. It made me not want to watch it on a regular TV! Both our family, Greg's family, and many of our friends are fans of the series, and this was an occasion we really enjoyed.
We were half-babbling burnouts by the last movie, but it was great to see the entire story play out at one time. The Emperor and Vader are just the best characters. Episode III, Revenge of the Sith is my favorite Star Wars movie, despite the cheesy love scenes & dialogue that even a 5 yr. old can make fun of. These movies are such a great source of entertainment and imagination, that things like ridiculously bad acting in a few scenes can be overlooked.
I actually predicted that Episode III was going to be called 'Revenge of the Sith' at least a couple years before the title was announced. I guessed it based on the names of the other prequels mirroring the original triology movies.
Don't believe me? I made this in 2002:
We started Ep. I at 10AM and finished Return of the Jedi by 3AM the next morning. They had a projector hooked up to a laptop, and we used their large spare room as a mini-theater, with one entire wall as a screen. It made me not want to watch it on a regular TV! Both our family, Greg's family, and many of our friends are fans of the series, and this was an occasion we really enjoyed.
We were half-babbling burnouts by the last movie, but it was great to see the entire story play out at one time. The Emperor and Vader are just the best characters. Episode III, Revenge of the Sith is my favorite Star Wars movie, despite the cheesy love scenes & dialogue that even a 5 yr. old can make fun of. These movies are such a great source of entertainment and imagination, that things like ridiculously bad acting in a few scenes can be overlooked.
I actually predicted that Episode III was going to be called 'Revenge of the Sith' at least a couple years before the title was announced. I guessed it based on the names of the other prequels mirroring the original triology movies.
Don't believe me? I made this in 2002:
Monday, November 07, 2005
Meeting a Master - Alex Grey
This was a very exciting weekend for me.
I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by visionary artist Alex Grey called "In Search of Truth."
He was a great speaker who captivated everyone there with his wisdom, wit, and powerful art.
After the program, he was signing books and calenders for the people who attended.
His wife, Allyson, was trying to move the line along and selling calenders.
At first, it was kind of hectic, so my brother Justin & I waited for the crowd to die down.
When we did get to the table, I gave Allyson a copy of my "Da Vinci's Challenge" game for their family. Allyson gave me a hug, and Alex complimented the production value and look of the game! Alex asked me for some contact info, so I happily gave them my business card!!!
They took some time and talked to us, and Alex signed some items for us. Allyson was kind enough to give me a free copy of Alex's 2006 calender (Since there were alot of people standing around, she pulled me aside and said it would be a trade-off for the copy of the game that I gave them!)
All in all, it was a inspirational night that I will never forget.
Both Alex and Allyson were wonderful to us, and we left absolutely thrilled!
Even typing these words, my mind is still reeling from the fact that I had the precious opportunity to shake hands with a creative genius whose art has inspired me so greatly. (I tried to explain it to my Dad by telling him it would be like him getting to meet Eric Clapton.)
Alex Grey is my favorite living artist, and I consider him a modern master with a style and content that is as revolutionary as Cubism or Surrealism... it is a Visual Mysticism that must be seen to be appreciated.
I am posting a scan of the picture, called "Painting" he signed for me:
"To Paul - Blessings on your creative path - Alex Grey"
(click to enlarge)
I'm also posting an image of the picture that my brother Justin got signed,
called "The Visionary Origin of Language" that depicts our psychedelic cognitive beginnings.
Alex signed it with the unforgettable suggestion:
"To Justin - Listen to the Hyperspace Elves - Alex Grey"
(If Justin remembers to bring over the pic that he actually got signed, I'll scan & post that, too.)
This is close enough for now:
I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by visionary artist Alex Grey called "In Search of Truth."
He was a great speaker who captivated everyone there with his wisdom, wit, and powerful art.
After the program, he was signing books and calenders for the people who attended.
His wife, Allyson, was trying to move the line along and selling calenders.
At first, it was kind of hectic, so my brother Justin & I waited for the crowd to die down.
When we did get to the table, I gave Allyson a copy of my "Da Vinci's Challenge" game for their family. Allyson gave me a hug, and Alex complimented the production value and look of the game! Alex asked me for some contact info, so I happily gave them my business card!!!
They took some time and talked to us, and Alex signed some items for us. Allyson was kind enough to give me a free copy of Alex's 2006 calender (Since there were alot of people standing around, she pulled me aside and said it would be a trade-off for the copy of the game that I gave them!)
All in all, it was a inspirational night that I will never forget.
Both Alex and Allyson were wonderful to us, and we left absolutely thrilled!
Even typing these words, my mind is still reeling from the fact that I had the precious opportunity to shake hands with a creative genius whose art has inspired me so greatly. (I tried to explain it to my Dad by telling him it would be like him getting to meet Eric Clapton.)
Alex Grey is my favorite living artist, and I consider him a modern master with a style and content that is as revolutionary as Cubism or Surrealism... it is a Visual Mysticism that must be seen to be appreciated.
I am posting a scan of the picture, called "Painting" he signed for me:
"To Paul - Blessings on your creative path - Alex Grey"
(click to enlarge)
I'm also posting an image of the picture that my brother Justin got signed,called "The Visionary Origin of Language" that depicts our psychedelic cognitive beginnings.
Alex signed it with the unforgettable suggestion:
"To Justin - Listen to the Hyperspace Elves - Alex Grey"
(If Justin remembers to bring over the pic that he actually got signed, I'll scan & post that, too.)
This is close enough for now:
New Da Vinci's Challenge Box
You know what they say... there's always room for improvement.
Here's a sneak peek at the new Da Vinci's Challenge box that will be shipping in 2006.
(Click on each image for a larger version)
The side panel on the top of the box will list the awards the game has won:
I also made some improvements to the front of the box:
The "Da Vinci's Challenge Card Game" and "Da Vinci's Mancala" will also be in stores by this Spring.
(I'll post more about these games closer to their ship dates.)
Here's a sneak peek at the new Da Vinci's Challenge box that will be shipping in 2006.
(Click on each image for a larger version)
The side panel on the top of the box will list the awards the game has won:
I also made some improvements to the front of the box:
The "Da Vinci's Challenge Card Game" and "Da Vinci's Mancala" will also be in stores by this Spring.
(I'll post more about these games closer to their ship dates.)
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Merry Fitzmas!
Patrick Fitzgerald, model of American integrityLeave it to an Irishman to take on the tough battle! The indictment of Vice-President Cheney's staff, Lewis Libby, is the first indictment of a White House official in over 100 years. Patrick Fitzgerald, the non-partisan special prosecuter for the 'CIA Leak' case is a true hero for taking on the Bush mafia.
People are always complaining about corruption in politics, but the Bush Administration has continually taken it to whole new levels. This is only the first step in exposing the amount of illegal behavior going on.
**You might think, well, all this crap about exposing a CIA agent's cover and lying about weapons of mass destruction... and the only counts against Libby are about lying to the Grand Jury?!? Why didn't they indict anyone for the original crimes? Well......
1) If people are intentionally lying to you and the Jury, that means there are false stories being floated around and you need to get to the bottom of what the facts really are. Therefore....
2) The fact that the investigation will continue under a new Grand Jury means that the trail leading to Karl Rove and higher is still being followed and the Bush Presidency will be plagued by the uncovering of this specific crime and the entire illegal process that led to the American wars of aggression in the Middle East.
"Catch me if you can, bitches!!!"Karl Rove
Model of an American Pig-Headed Asshole
Thursday, October 27, 2005
9/11 Coincidence Theory
'Conspiracy Theory' has such a negative tone when used to describe government or military activity. It creates images of shady, powerful people behind the scenes creating evil plans of destruction and exploitation for strategic goals. We all know that U.S. government officials, especially within the Bush Administration, have way too much integrity and morality to cause such horrible situations!
"Yeah, too much integrity.... now f*ck off!"Remember, it's all simply a coincidence...
"That so many influential figures in and close to the Bush White House had expressed, just a year before the attacks, the need for a 'new Pearl Harbor' before their militarist ambitions could be fulfilled, demonstrates nothing more than the accidental virtue of being in the right place at the right time."
"That Afghanistan is once again the world's principal heroin producer is an unfortunate reality, but to claim the CIA is still actively involved in the narcotics trade is to presume bad faith on the part of the agency."
"That FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds accuses the agency of intentionally fudging specific pre-9/11 warnings and harboring a foreign espionage ring in its translation department, and claims she witnessed evidence of the semi-official infrastructure of money-laundering and narcotics trade behind the attacks,
is of no account, since John Ashcroft has gagged her with the rare invocation of "State Secrets Privilege,"
and retroactively classified her public testimony."
"The mention of Israelis with links to military-intelligence having been arrested on Sept 11 videotaping and celebrating the attacks, of an Israeli espionage ring surveiling DEA and defense installations and trailing the hijackers, and of a warning of impending attacks delivered to the Israeli company Odigo two hours before the first plane hit, does not deserve a response. That the stories also appeared in publications such as Ha'aretz and Forward is a sad display of self-hatred among certain elements of the Israeli media."
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
'Boondocks' TV Cartoon
Excuse me, everyone,
I have a brief announcement to make...
I have a brief announcement to make...
Jesus was black,
Ronald Reagan was the Devil,
and the government is lying about 9-11!
Trailers for the "Boondocks" cartoon on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.
(click here)
This is one of my favorite 'Boondocks' strips:
(click to enlarge)
Ronald Reagan was the Devil,
and the government is lying about 9-11!
Trailers for the "Boondocks" cartoon on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.
(click here)
This is one of my favorite 'Boondocks' strips:
(click to enlarge)Monday, October 24, 2005
We are a Human/Bacteria Hybrid
If you are a paranoid germ-a-phobe, you definitely don't want to read this. You might pass out.
I don't think most people would believe the fact that less than 10% of our entire mass is actually human cells, while over 90% of our mass is bacteria and other single-celled organisms!!!!
This is just another reason why seeing a human being as some kind of singular entity, separate from the rest of the world, is ridiculous. We are a constantly morphing collection of cells, organisms, energy, and other elements in a process of continual change existing before, during, and after the time frame we call 'life'.
The idea that each one of us is an individual, self-contained 'person' is a figment of the imagination.
(I'm not even going to get into the very real theory that all life on Earth originated from bacteria-filled meteors that originated from Mars when it had life billions of years ago.)
I don't think most people would believe the fact that less than 10% of our entire mass is actually human cells, while over 90% of our mass is bacteria and other single-celled organisms!!!!
This is just another reason why seeing a human being as some kind of singular entity, separate from the rest of the world, is ridiculous. We are a constantly morphing collection of cells, organisms, energy, and other elements in a process of continual change existing before, during, and after the time frame we call 'life'.
The idea that each one of us is an individual, self-contained 'person' is a figment of the imagination.
(I'm not even going to get into the very real theory that all life on Earth originated from bacteria-filled meteors that originated from Mars when it had life billions of years ago.)
Here is what 90% of your body mass is:
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Faith in Reason and Creative Thinking
"If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false,
then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims,"
"No one who wants to understand the world
can ignore the basic insights of theories as key as
evolution, relativity and quantum mechanics."
- Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama participating in the creation of a sand mandala;
an intricate pattern memorized by the monks,
created with fine colored sand,
and finally swept up and dispersed
as a symbol of transience and awareness.
Longwood Gardens' website has a great visual description
of the process of making and ritually destroying a sand mandala.
Page 1: Creating the Mandala
Page 2: Dismantling the Mandala
then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims,"
"No one who wants to understand the world
can ignore the basic insights of theories as key as
evolution, relativity and quantum mechanics."
- Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama participating in the creation of a sand mandala;
an intricate pattern memorized by the monks,
created with fine colored sand,
and finally swept up and dispersed
as a symbol of transience and awareness.
Longwood Gardens' website has a great visual descriptionof the process of making and ritually destroying a sand mandala.
Page 1: Creating the Mandala
Page 2: Dismantling the Mandala
Worlds Within Worlds
Don't click ...here... if you are afraid to experience
a mind-bending trip through the infinite scale of the universe.
Fractal Reality
a mind-bending trip through the infinite scale of the universe.
Fractal Reality
Monday, October 10, 2005
Broken Jesus
From the blog Operation Eden, a personal chronicle of the New Orleans disaster by a resident.
"For what is the nature of your life?
Why, it is but a mist,
which appears for a short time and then
is seen no more."
- James 4:14
"You live on earth only for a few short years which you call an incarnation,
and then you leave your body as an outworn dress and go for refreshment
to your true home in the spirit."
- White Eagle
"Normally we do not like to think about death.
We would rather think about life.
Why reflect on death?
When you start preparing for death you soon realize
that you must look into your life... now
...and come to face the truth of your self.
Death is like a mirror in which the true meaning of life is reflected."
- Sogyal Rinpoche
Since everything is but an apparition,
having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection,
one may well burst out in laughter.
Longchenpa
"For what is the nature of your life?
Why, it is but a mist,
which appears for a short time and then
is seen no more."
- James 4:14
"You live on earth only for a few short years which you call an incarnation,
and then you leave your body as an outworn dress and go for refreshment
to your true home in the spirit."
- White Eagle
"Normally we do not like to think about death.
We would rather think about life.
Why reflect on death?
When you start preparing for death you soon realize
that you must look into your life... now
...and come to face the truth of your self.
Death is like a mirror in which the true meaning of life is reflected."
- Sogyal Rinpoche
Since everything is but an apparition,
having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection,
one may well burst out in laughter.
Longchenpa
Smurf War Atrocities
This idea for a Belgian anti-war commercial by UNICEF and the family of the Smurf's creator 'Peyo' is as brilliant as it is freakin' disturbing. There's nothing that will jolt a person's consciousness like using a symbol of childhood happiness & innocence treated in a way that causes unease or even horror.Cartoon characters' village bombed in anti-war TV commercial
Of course, we all know that it was that Capitalist, Zionist bastard Gargamel and his feline enforcer Azreal who bombed the Commie Smurfs for refusing to become his economic commodoties!!! Oh c'mon, you never heard the theory that "The Smurfs" was really an allegory about communism and capitalism? It's sooo crazy, it simply has to be true! Right?
Of course, we all know that it was that Capitalist, Zionist bastard Gargamel and his feline enforcer Azreal who bombed the Commie Smurfs for refusing to become his economic commodoties!!! Oh c'mon, you never heard the theory that "The Smurfs" was really an allegory about communism and capitalism? It's sooo crazy, it simply has to be true! Right?
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
"Going Tribal"
The series "Going Tribal" on the Discovery Channel is one of the best shows on TV.
The episode I saw tonight ("African Vision Quest") was awesome. Here is a synopsis from the website of another crazy episode I've seen...
WAKING THE SPIRITS
Bruce learns the secrets of the spirits when he joins the Sanema, a group of indigenous people who live in the Upper Caura region of Venezuela, to discover the strange dual-reality world in which they live. The Sanema believe spirits dwell in everything — the river, the rocks and the animals around them — in a world as real to them as the jungle they live in. And their shamans can commune with such spirits through the use of hallucinogenic snuff. Now Bruce faces the task of training as a shaman to get an insight into their experiences.
Modern Civilization has a short attention span, and we seem to forget, despite the clear evidence, that all religion and mystical knowledge of the human race traces back to the shamanic experience, a tradition found in every part of the globe, from the beginning of human consiousness. These are not the backwards beliefs of wacky primitive people, but the true Eden. These practices represent the original spiritual nature of man; deeply connected to the world, both the seen and unseen. All the rigid social constructs and symbols "civilization" has created are pale shadows of such mind-altering, ego-dissolving mystic initiations. Lack of such transcendent experiences leads to the cultural schizophrenia present in the modern world. We go through our lives learning facts, figures, and dogma in school and in life, but we are no longer taught wisdom of what we really are, the possibilities of the mind, or the nature of reality.
The episode I saw tonight ("African Vision Quest") was awesome. Here is a synopsis from the website of another crazy episode I've seen...
WAKING THE SPIRITSBruce learns the secrets of the spirits when he joins the Sanema, a group of indigenous people who live in the Upper Caura region of Venezuela, to discover the strange dual-reality world in which they live. The Sanema believe spirits dwell in everything — the river, the rocks and the animals around them — in a world as real to them as the jungle they live in. And their shamans can commune with such spirits through the use of hallucinogenic snuff. Now Bruce faces the task of training as a shaman to get an insight into their experiences.
Modern Civilization has a short attention span, and we seem to forget, despite the clear evidence, that all religion and mystical knowledge of the human race traces back to the shamanic experience, a tradition found in every part of the globe, from the beginning of human consiousness. These are not the backwards beliefs of wacky primitive people, but the true Eden. These practices represent the original spiritual nature of man; deeply connected to the world, both the seen and unseen. All the rigid social constructs and symbols "civilization" has created are pale shadows of such mind-altering, ego-dissolving mystic initiations. Lack of such transcendent experiences leads to the cultural schizophrenia present in the modern world. We go through our lives learning facts, figures, and dogma in school and in life, but we are no longer taught wisdom of what we really are, the possibilities of the mind, or the nature of reality.
Evolve TV
Evolve TV is a new site that (so far) has two great interviews by the web's most influential progressive bloggers. The interviews are broken up into segments you can view at your leisure.
Duncan Black, aka Atrios, of the widely-read blog Eschaton.com talks with Dr. Paul Myers regarding Evolution and Intelligent Design. Duncan was kind enough to post about Da Vinci's Challenge in exchange for designing a new Eschaton logo for his site. This is an insightful interview with excellent discussion covering many aspects and viewpoints of this topic.
I personally wish the very un-scientific term 'evolution' would be discarded in favor of 'natural selection', which is observable fact. Here are my views on this ridiculous 'controversy.' The fact that this issue is even getting a hearing in a Pennsylvania court is a goddamn national disgrace. We look like a nation of ignorant fools when it comes to matters of science vs. religion.
Also, Markos of DailyKos.com discusses topics regarding the Iraq Occupation and the Middle East in general with Dr. Juan Cole, a history professor and expert on Middle Eastern language, culture, and current events. Watching this interview is more informative than a year's worth of Fox News reports.
Duncan Black, aka Atrios, of the widely-read blog Eschaton.com talks with Dr. Paul Myers regarding Evolution and Intelligent Design. Duncan was kind enough to post about Da Vinci's Challenge in exchange for designing a new Eschaton logo for his site. This is an insightful interview with excellent discussion covering many aspects and viewpoints of this topic.
I personally wish the very un-scientific term 'evolution' would be discarded in favor of 'natural selection', which is observable fact. Here are my views on this ridiculous 'controversy.' The fact that this issue is even getting a hearing in a Pennsylvania court is a goddamn national disgrace. We look like a nation of ignorant fools when it comes to matters of science vs. religion.
Also, Markos of DailyKos.com discusses topics regarding the Iraq Occupation and the Middle East in general with Dr. Juan Cole, a history professor and expert on Middle Eastern language, culture, and current events. Watching this interview is more informative than a year's worth of Fox News reports.
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