Photography and 3D Software Training from Dan Ablan

Dan is a fantastic teacher. If you want to learn, start with his
materials. http://www.3dgarage.com/default.asp?m=0

Allen Bussell
Sent from my iPhone

Boo-hoo! Go grow some compassion...

I'm going to be honest here, I'm a crier - evident during my "scratchy-eye" moments during romantic movies like Fools Rush In, inspirational ones like Glory and Rudy, during graduations, weddings, births, and seeing old friends.  Most of my life, I'd assumed this automatically meant that I was one of God's truly compassionate people.  I mean look at me...my eyes are bloodshot!  I really care about those around me - deeply - and I advertise it with appropriate sniffles and boo-hoo's.

BUT...speaking with a dear friend today I realized that this brine emanating from my ducts has very little to do with whether or not compassion truly lives in me, and even less with using that gift to help my friends and family.  Touchy-feely does not automatically enroll one into the "I care" club.  In fact, it could be argued that those of us with our heart, at least partially, on our sleeves are actually less compassionate than we should be.  Why?  Because the emotions end-up pouring out like an untamed river in the rainy season and, unfortunately, releasing most of the energy that went with them.  

I need to learn from my friends who are more analytical, more apt to slow-down, listen, assess, encourage and, hopefully, give good advice.  They share real tools to deal with problems, situations - and honestly, we all need that - just as much as we need a friend to sit next to us and cry.

Obviously, suffering with those whom we love is not wrong or wasteful - today was just a good reminder that God endowed different gifts to each of us - to help those He's placed around us.

 

Perfection? No.

As many of you know, I've been working as a 3D visualization artist for many years.  One of the first things I learned when building objects and creating textures is that perfection equals fakery.  Now translate this into looking more deeply into our relationships: personal, business and otherwise.  If you know someone who's never made a mistake, never failed, never REALLY screwed up; it's likely that person is a fake, a liar.

Give me blemishes and imperfections, failures and second-place finishes!  Without them we remain shallow, weak, without personality and lacking in compassion and empathy.  I want to base my deep friendships not on perfect people, but on broken, injured people with hearts that speak to me and with minds that, though sharp, exude kindness.  Honestly, I fight with showing my weaknesses every minute I'm awake - not wanting to open myself to disappointment and heartbreak - but what is life then?  After all, a year of sunny days is a draught.

Time to recapture me.

In a life so full, so busy, so demanding, I need to seize more of my
time - just to think - to contemplate - to assess. I've lost so much
of who I used to be that I barely recognize myself. Enough!

Allen Bussell
Sent from my iPhone

Eli and the new kitty

Though it's more crowded in the apartment, Eli doesn't seem to mind sharing with the new cat.

Because it's the LAW!

I am a TEA Party patriot and I believe it's time that those in DC (no matter their party) are held accountable to obey and protect our Constitution and understand that, by definition, our Bill of Rights are there for individual and States rights and that the Law prohibits the federal government from acting outside it's bounds, as defined within it's pages. Some want Federal workers to have greater and more control over our lives, to keep stealing from the "rich" (as defined by whomever is currently in power) to supposedly give to the "poor" (you know the workers in DC making over $100,000/year). These people also want laws to allow the IRS to force every man, woman and child to buy a product from a private company whether or not they want or need the product.

Here's the deal: If you want the United States to become this type of country then grow a backbone and lawfully amend or dismiss our Constitution... You know the one that thousands have died and suffered to protect.