Thank you, Mr. Crackhead

Along the way across town to pick up the kids from their week long summer day camp, I hit my share of red lights. It was a long, hot and exhausting end to my day - and I was ready to be home. At one light in particular, I found myself watching a shirtless man in headphones start rythmically tapping his feet. Before long he had crescendoed into a full-on, uncoordinated yet blissful routine of swaying arms and gyrations.

Being a little road-grumpy anyways, I was quick to hurl judgement… It was pretty plain to see that it was either some sort of illness, intoxicant, or both fueling his own personal dance party. He was completely oblivious to the world around him - and pretty damn happy about it in his child-like, euphoric trance.

The light was long enough for me to get over the typical and immediate condemnations (crackhead, criminal, bum etc.) and drift into a little bit of jealousy. Don’t get me wrong, I think I’ll take a pass on the crack pipe… But it sure has me wondering how I could sit there in my traffic induced misery and pass judgment on someone who, for whatever actual reason, was a hell of a lot happier than I was at that moment.

So, thanks for the perspective, Mr. Crackhead… I think I’m gonna go look for my headphones and find myself a street corner to go dancing on.

-

On the work front: it has been a loooong week. I’ve been painting a Bel Air dragster body at a local shop and it has taken the better part of a week now - and also taken a toll on my feet and back. It’s nice to have such a big project to work on, though, but it has made me into a bit of a zombie after work. I’ve managed some time on a personal project for a good friend of mine (a griffon/lion theme) - as well as draw out a concept for a ‘Mad Hatter’ pin-up that I’m developing (below.) I’m looking forward to working on both but they’ll probably have to wait until the weekend before they see any paint.

Thanks for lookin! Have a great weekend,

Rod

and the tune I've been looping all week...