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8:29 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My current experience with Master Cleanse/fasting

{ This entry is copied directly from my Blogger.com account.  }

I'm FASTING! That's right, just call me "Gandhi" from now on. I'm on Day 8, and I feel great. Some of my friends have asked, out of sincere worry, "WTF?!!!" Well, I'll explain it.

{ Word of warning: this will be gross! }

You see, for a LONG time I have been feeling listless. I mean, YEARS. Now, I know some of that is from "hard living," and, believe me, I've sown many wild oats over the years, all across the freakin' United States (and one province of Canada). But even after "calming down" in recent times, it has seemed impossible to lose weight and feel better, without some sort of god-like exercise regimen. And, even then, I was wondering if I needed more than just exercise. ( And, besides, I've tried to exercise, and it HURTS. It didn't hurt when I was younger. WTF, indeed.) ... I mean, what really IS the best set of FOODS to eat? Low carb? Vegan? Simple "balance"? What?
Well, a couple of weeks ago I came across an idea on the WWW: Over the years, our bodies deal with toxins in foods and beverages by producing fats and placing the toxins in the fats, as a way for the body to protect itself. Also, a LOT of undigested "material"/toxins are left in the digestive tract. ...And apparently this leads to a host of other problems, as well as premature aging. You feel a lack of energy, and even emotionally dispirited.
Now, I'm a skeptic, first and foremost. So when I heard about Master Cleanse, and the whole idea of "cleansing" your body, from the inside-out, I thought it sounded a lot like voodoo/new age stuff. But when I read how people said they "felt great" after AND DURING the fast, I researched further.
I've always had the impression that fasting itself, in general, is a very healthy thing. But, when I read that most people don't really experience hunger during their Master Cleanse fast, I REALLY became fascinated. I bought a book on the subject, and looked some more on the Web, and then, last Monday, I started.
As warned, on Days 2 and 3, I had some problems, but not with hunger. No, it was HEADACHES. Freakin' mind-warping headaches. I also had a day in which I just wanted to sleep all day. The thing is, these are DETOX symptoms. I was getting off a life-long caffeine habit. A couple of times I broke down and had a diet soda and aspirin, just to SURVIVE. ...
But then, everything was fine. Days 4 through 8 have been fantastic. I dare say I feel better than I have in all my adult years. But, to be honest, I did have a break-down of sorts, besides the caffeine: on Saturday night I had two glasses of wine with my friends at Kitty O'Shea's. Now, when I had started the fast, I was aware I was "going out" Saturday night, and I had decided I'd go ahead and do the fast and yet have a couple of glasses of wine in the middle of it. As it turns out, I don't think it affected the detox process much. My morning "eliminations" continued unabated. I'll explain:
You see, a key part of Master Cleanse is the "saltwater flush." (If you're squeamish, don't read further!) And what is the saltwater flush? Hmm, well, let me put it this way. What's happening is, the "lemonade" concoction that I make every morning provides about 1000 calories a day, AND it "loosens" the undigested material in your digestive tract. This "material" is apparently full of toxins. So, you gotta get rid of that SHIT, literally! That's where the saltwater flush comes in. The first thing, every morning, you MUST (quickly) drink 32 ounces (a quart!) of purified water mixed with 2 level teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt. And here's the freaky part. Your body won't absorb that stuff. It "flushes" right through you in 30 minutes, or less, and boy o boy you better be near the bathroom!
The whole deal is bizarre. After the first 24 hours of starting the fast, all the food you have eaten the day before has been digested and eliminated, right? So, theoretically, there's nothing left in your digestive tract, right? And, sure enough, on the second and third days, the saltwater flush was just a clean "flush" of sorts, more or less. But then the bizarre/gross part happened. On every day since then, more and more of this "blackish brown material" has been coming out. Bizarre! Gross! Yet fascinating! Or so it seems to me. Where is all this CRAP coming from? Well, my friends, all this crap is apparently just sitting there in our bodies, rotting. Everyone's bodies. Wow! By, getting rid of it, you are getting rid of a lot of weight, for one thing, and volume in your gut, for another. But also you're getting rid of toxins.
With the toxins removed from your digestive track, your body no longer is required to "go through shit" to get to the food you eat, and your body is no longer picking-up toxins from this shit as it tries to get to the nutrients in your diet. That's the idea. Lose the crap, feel better. Or something like that.
The best judge is through personal experience, sometimes. And my experience is, I feel great. That's a practical, solid observation. Man, I am pleased.
And here's another thing. My shoulder isn't hurting as much. In fact, I had forgot about it until last night at work. I was setting-up the easel, and I remembered, "Oh, yeah, I have a bad shoulder. Hey wait a sec...." Then today I read that people had reported the reduction or even elimination of joint pain. What the heck?
Man, it's like a miracle. I mean, I don't want to try and convince anyone of anything, and I don't know what the future holds, but, damn, I think I've discovered something "real" in the midst of all those weight-loss programs and fad diets and exercise machines. Fasting and cleansing. I'm very impressed.
Now, I'm not a nutritionist. (Although, come to think of it, one of my nieces IS a nutritionist, and is working on her PhD at John Hopkins in Baltimore.) But I do know how I feel. The feeling is this: my legs are light, my arms are strong, a gallon jug of water feels like a feather, and *get this* my MOOD is improved. I'm sleeping like a baby, and I'm dreaming great dreams. Wow, I really need to continue this.
But to continue, how? This is what I'm hearing: a diet of fresh veges and fruit and nuts and seeds. That's your basic diet. It will continue to detox your entire body, and keep you feeling great. In fact, to be clear about this, one week before I started Master Cleanse, I started eating only (almost) fresh/raw fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and granola and whatnot. I immediately felt better. But my digestion went crazy, and I was feeling groggy and "foggy" on some days. Apparently, these were early detox symptoms. So, I guess, I had given myself a little head start on detoxification and improvement.
And so, what now? I'll finish this in a couple of days, and ease my stomach back into solid foods with orange juice and a little vegetable soup. And then I'll try and maintain the right foods, and probably a little wine each week, which supposedly has enormous medicinal benefits too. I'm not completely off caffeine, so I'll keep reducing its intake while avoiding migraines. (Quick cut to All-Star Music Hotel last Wednesday: "Kid, I'm not weeping because you're ugly, I'm weeping because of a freaking headache! Now hold still so I can draw your ugly mug!") (Just kidding... kinda.)
Also I should note that this cleanse is something which can be done several times a year, and it can be done for a longer period, say, 20 or 30 days. That's why I'm not too worried about cheating a little with a couple of diet sodas and wine. Not perfect, but close. Man, I feel great.
A number of celebrities apparently swear by Master Cleanse, or so I hear. Beyonce was the latest one to sing its praises, I think. And, of course, celebrities know best, right? That's why they're on TV! ...lol
Here's the references I used:
books:
Master Cleanse, by Stanley Burroughs
and
Lose Weight, Have More Energy, and Be Happier in 10 Days, by Peter Glickman
web:
http://www.lifetrainingonline.com/blog/lemonade-diet-recipe.htm

Anyway, that's it. If you read all of this, then you must really be interested, lol. So, if you have any questions just let me know. I, actually, haven't read all the information in those books, but I got the gist. Fast, cleanse, feel great. Simple.
By the way, WILL POWER is indeed a part of this. Most people do not get hungry, and I haven't either, but, man, I miss the PLEASURE of food. ...Just a couple more days, Tim! .
..And some people experience CRAVINGS, as opposed to hunger.
...In the end, you must WANT to do it. Good luck!

6:13 PM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

For Retail Caricaturists, there IS another way...
Category: Art and Photography

Among caricaturists, there is ENDLESS debate and controversy about what should be emphasized, whether quality or speed. And there's much noble talk about balancing these two elements. On one extreme is the artist who demands a "studio" type piece on each drawing, and seems to take FOREVER on each drawing. The other extreme is the FAST artist, who will draw very similar-looking faces over and over, very quickly, while being a real salesman and, even, a clown/comedian or something, entertaining and laughing and grinning. I suppose the second type is closest to what is expected of the contemporary caricaturist, but, boy, you're starting to move a long way from ART in that scenario. Then again, some interesting things happen in those pressure-packed, crazy, spontaneity-filled sessions of caricaturing at retail stands and at private gigs. The IDEAL caricaturist is the one who can draw great, and quickly. That ideal is, simply, phenomenally difficult, and rare.
...In nearly four years in Florida, I do think I've fully explored the normal approaches to caricaturing.
...But there is another way to approach retail caricaturing, I believe, and for aspiring artists, it may the best. Here it is: retail caricaturing should emphasize neither speed nor quality, but, instead, LEARNING. That is what I'm doing now. Of course, I want to maintain a reasonable speed, and I want the finished work to be neat and fair. But, before that, I can learn.
Here's how it works. You go into a shift at a retail stand. You set-up, and there is no one to draw. Well, sit down and begin sketching. Maybe bring reference material. Sketch, sketch, sketch. And then color, color, color. Now, since you're at a caricature stand, the professional thing to do is to sketch and color cartoon-like material. But what am I doing, exactly, with all this sketching? I'm CREATING. I'm exploring. I'm thinking of a certain character design, maybe a flowing movement THIS WAY, or THAT way, and I grab my pencil and I sketch it out. Wow, that's cool, let's try it like this. ...What you're doing is flexing your creative mind, and your VISUALIZATION. Try to SEE the image on the paper before you draw it.
But what about customers? Here's what I do these days. I'm happy! I look at the model and I visualize his/her face in a "cool" way or angle. What cool features does he have? What does he want to be? Basketball player? Well do you want to be dribbling, or shooting, or dunking? Dribbling? OK. ... So I draw the face, using marker-only at first, then using a pencil to guide me for a lot of it. And then the body. Hmm, I've done dribbling basketball players before, but maybe I can come-up with something NEW. I look at the model. Is he skinny or fat? Or muscular? Or is the model a pretty female teenager? Are her breasts small? Are her arms long? Or is she a little chubby girl? ...You see, instead of drawing the same little body over and over, which I'm guessing is probably kinda lame anyway (be honest!) you let the WHOLE person guide your creativity, and you come-up with something original and cool. (You must use a pencil for this type of creativity, by the way, before inking.)
And you can extend this to the use of watercolors (if you're at a location that uses watercolors) or whatever coloring method you use. Experiment, mix creatively. Although, to be honest, most of the experimenting with color should be done at another time. But what CAN be done is OBSERVATION. Use your color knowledge to match the model's hues/complexion. I mean, just yesterday, my buddy Brian told me he uses a madder (pinkish) color to mix with his naples yellow-red, and when I tried it, WOW, it was SO much better than the red I was using (for many faces).
My roommate Wayne had told me that when he worked with our friend Joe (Bluhm), that Joe told him to "make every picture different." And that was the insight which got Wayne on the way to phenomenal improvement. Caricaturing ended-up not being Wayne's "thing," but my point is his artistic improvement, which was crazy-good.
And that's the whole point. That's the "other way" to approach caricaturing. You see, caricaturing is a TEMPORARY activity for most of its artists. They will either move on to other art and be successful, or they'll leave professional art behind altogether. I'm speaking to those who want to "move up" to other art and be successful. That's what I'm trying to do myself. Now, that "other" art may be, simply, studio caricaturing, or it may be illustration, or fine art oils, or even sculpture. Whatever. The main thing is that you use your many hours "in the trenches" as a valuable tool in increasing your artistic skill. It IS possible. Any, by the way, it's a lot more satisfying than cranking out the same crap over and over. And you can still make a sustainable living.
Good luck!

[One last note: For those who wish to continue caricaturing in retail and at gigs, I recommend the same approach. But you MUST be able to "change gears" and go REALLY fast. There's really no other way. If there's a line of people, you MUST knock 'em down quickly. That's how the game is played. And that's fine. It's intense, it's crazy, it's like an athletic competition. BUT, I plead with you, avoid this: DO NOT become one of those guys who apparently doesn't care. That's the only way I can describe it, in a sense. This is the guy who never improves, and cranks out pic after pic, and it's all crap, really, and it all looks the same, and the guy often will make lots of dollars. And the caricaturing companies "love" this guy, simply because he makes a lot of money for them. They really do WISH he drew better quality stuff, but they have only so much control. (Heck, if I owned such a company, I'm sure I'd feel a similar way.) But, unfortunately, it comes down to paying the bills, and this artist will indeed be rewarded. He has reached a certain point, where the average customer is generally satisfied with the experience. But this is NOT art. It is an assembly line, it is entertainment and salesmanship. These artists talk and sing and dance and joke and, sadly, never improve and do not respect art. They respect their sales numbers. ...Sales numbers. Gosh, that's all I ever hear anymore! I did THIS much here. THAT much there. I BEAT so-and-so, hooray! ...It's low-brow competition among friends, but it's not art. ...In general, I'd say this is a Crap Stage we all go through, but you MUST move beyond it. I'm trying, myself, to move beyond it. And while fast crap may pay the bills, you satisfy only your wallet, while the other artists furtively snicker, and while the artist inside of you regrets ever giving you talent. How can that be satisfying? You may as well be selling used cars.]

10:46 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy Birthday to me and James Dean
Current mood: artistic

Today, I drew a quick sketch of myself and of my old 28-foot Cal sailboat, which I sold for nothing before I came to Florida.  I had long hair, answered only to myself, and was comfortable in my skin.  I was MISERABLE in my job, but there was a certain pleasantness to my situation, a kind of free quality.  I did not need to shave or smile.  I was simply me.  There is a freedom in that.  I think I must recapture some of that old honest, unshaven me.

10:25 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

First poem in a very long time
Current mood: artistic

The winds have streets
And I, there's a street for me
The winds have streets,
Paths they take
They have favorites
Many in mountains
Many along sands and coconuts
Where I lay
And in my soul,
Empty and swept

8:11 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The ocean at night

A week ago I made my first trip to the white sand beaches of the mouth of Tampa Bay.  I arrived Saturday afternoon, after a flurry of modifications to my kayak, outriggers and sailing rig.  I was on a mission: I was determined to sleep by the ocean. 
     Soon after arriving, I got my little craft in the water, and quickly night fell.  The air was warm, and I paddled directly out into the ocean swell from Fort Desoto Park ("the Nation's Best Beach,", they say).  I felt the swells; I tasted the lovely salt.  I followed the coast northward a bit.  Looking for the moon to rise, I instead found numerous motorboats.  I kept my flashlight handy to warn away the skippers.
       A couple of hours passed.  I didn't paddle much, but instead watched the night, the ocean, and the shore not far away.   My eyes adjusted to the darkness.  Large ships were out at sea, and headed my way, or, actually headed for the Tampa Bay channel, near Egmont Key.   I saw them all night, lined-up to the horizon, coming in, lights ablazin', keels plowing, crews sleepy no doubt. 
      Finally, I beached the kayak/trimaran.  I pulled the vessel up into the sand dunes.  Throwing a blanket into the little cockpit, I laid down and grabbed some food for supper, watching the ships, the slight crashing waves, and the stars and sand.  I had a tent, but so loved the situation already, I didn't deploy it.  I laid under the stars all night.
      It's funny, because I was jumpy.  I had some rum, and sipped on it some, and felt better.  A meteor shower greeted me later in the night, as well as the constellation Orion and the Dog star.  Who can sleep when the Cosmos shows itself so freely and profoundly?  Deep, deep into the Universe I peered, and I thought of marriage.  I'd wanted to marry so very much when younger.  I had some opportunities, but they turned sour.  Other tragedies occured, and I  found myself, way back in 1991, facing a teeming mass of vultures, so to speak.  I was dying.  My mother had died a couple of years earlier, and here I was, in debt, depression, etc...  So I got a commercial drivers license and started driving trucks.  I was totally alone, and I liked that.  No more women, no more friends or hope, just a truck and the open road and the night sky and meteor showers.
      Now it's 2006!  And I'm in my forties.  I taught myself to draw, and now I make money doing that, drawing, a little painting, cartooning. 
    And, it's funny, but time SETTLES the WILD in us.  All the crazy impulses I had when 25, 28, 34, etc.,   have "settled" into a kind of peace in my heart.  I still don't have a girl, or a marriage or children, even though those aspects of the Cosmos affect me the most, still.  But I'm calm and accepting of the lack.  I want to see the world, and am making movement toward that.  I'm getting acquainted with the sea, for that is a free wilderness and a free freeway of sorts.  The stars are the road signs, and the salt and the dolphins welcome me.
     The next day, the wind had shifted to the south, and as I headed toward
Egmont Kay and a day of snorkeling, I paddled furiously against tide and wind and waves, and finally gave up.  I needed to get my sail working, and I needed to get a craft for anchoring, I figured. 
     So here I am, building a new craft.  Should be finished soon.  I might sail it around the world.

10:37 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Attack of the Manatee at Merritt Island

Ok, so the manatee did not actually "attack" me.  You see, I was experimenting with outriggers on my kayak, near Merritt Island (just off 528), when I spotted something "big" in the distance.  So of course I investigated.  It disappeared, but I'd seen a fin, and I didn't think it was a dolphin fin.  I thought it might be a fish "tailing" in the shallows, and maybe a wave reflected the light to create the appearance of something long and huge.  Anyway, I cruised my experimental craft in the general direction of the observed phenomenon.  As I neared the area, I stopped paddling and coasted a ways.  Then it happened.
       The ocean below me suddenly uplifted violently.  My vessel and me went straight up and to one side.  Water sprayed everywhere.  But I didn't capsize, thanks to the outriggers I'd (loosely) attached ONLY FIVE MINUTES earlier (and for the first time).  Without them, I would have capsized and would have suddenly been swimming WITH whatever just exploded out of the ocean.  I thought SHARK!  But didn't see the creature.  Trying to catch my breath, I surveyed the area.  I was shaking, but otherwise didn't move, silently praising the new outriggers.  A minute or two passed, and I didn't see a shark anywhere, or a dolphin.  I thought of an alligator, too, since the water was brackish, not pure ocean water, and I knew there were lots of  'em just a few miles north at NASA  (but farther inland a bit?).
      I finally thought of manatees.  Could it be?  I hadn't seen any in this particular location before.  If so, I'd probably scared the fella badly.  So I scanned around for the telltale snout emerging from the water, and promptly it appeared, about 50 feet away.  I didn't move.  It slowly, then, moved toward me.  Once it got near me, still submerged, I gave a sincere apology.  This seemed to satisfy him (or her), and he moved on.  I felt guilty, but elated.   It was a wilderness encounter with a giant, and unlike anything I'd ever experienced.  Wonderful, wonderful.
      And then, another surprise.  I pod of four dolphins breached the deeper water to my north.  Of course, I followed them.

12:57 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Hmm...
Current mood: annoyed

Hmm...

12:02 AM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment