My resignation from Full Sail leaves me looking for new opportunities.

Posted on by Thor

Right before the winter break I resigned from Full Sail. There were no parties, no severance package, no confetti or golden watches. I simply turned over the Mac Book laptop computer,the parking pass and my lanyard and walked out the doors for the last time. The last class had only seven students, so I was able to give more one on one help when needed.

Starting Christmas week I will be teaching at Elite Animation Academy. The courses I will be offering are, the fundamentals of drawing, a life drawing class and an urban sketching class. I believe there are five to seven students signed up and I’m excited to start. Elite is at most a mile from my home, so I will be burning less gas. I plan to start riding my bike to the new job, so I’ll be getting more exercise. The new position at Elite will be a challenge because I have to come up with a whole new series of lesson plans. It is exciting to have the opportunity to inspire middle school and high school students to start carrying sketchbooks or digital tablets. Once you start sketching daily, it becomes an exciting lifestyle. Getting out and discovering the city by sketching has many rewards. My position at Elite is part time, so I will have more time to search for more freelance illustration assignments. It turns out that sketching weddings is an exciting alternative and if I can market it right, sketch tourism in Orlando could be another exiting opportunity.

I need to start looking for models for the life drawing class. Models will be clothed. I don’t need classically trained models. Instead I’ll be looking for talented people I have sketched in the past. I want to bring in creative individuals who would do what they usually do, be it playing an instrument, making a puppet or stretching before a dance. The possibilities are limitless, but for now there isn’t a budget so I will have to beg from friends. The only option I can offer now is an original sketch done by me during the class.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 27th and 28th.

Posted on by Thor

Saturday December 27, 2014

9am to 3pm Free. Orlando Elks Vintage Faire. Elk Lodge 1079 12 N Primrose Drive Orlando FL.

6pm to 8pm Free. Brewery Tour. Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, FL.

7:30pm to 9:30pm. Free. Amy Watkins Open Mic. The Geek Easy 114 S. Semoran Blvd Suite #6, Winter Park, Fl. Open to all: Musicians-Lyricists-Artists-and Poets of all kinds Bring out the cape and have some fun listening or performing super hero poetry. http://poetry.meetup.com/362/

Sunday December 28, 2014

10am to Noon. Free. Super Joy Riders. Eastern entrance of the Lake Eola Farmers’ Market. Participants dress as superheroes and ride en masse around the city as they check off their scavenger hunt-like list of Do Gooder Duties; collecting litter, helping senior citizens cross the road, returning shopping carts, basically performing small acts of kindness for an hour and a half of hilarity and love.

The Super Joy Riders: Do Gooder Bike Ride is an exercise in community organizing and active engagement. We hope to use the ride as an opportunity to show how helping people can be simple, fun, and easy, especially while wearing a cape. http://www.superjoyriders.com/ You + Superhero Costume + Bike = Best Sunday Ever.

Noon to 2pm Free. Florida Gospel Jam. Fish on Fire 7937 Daetwyler Drive Belle Isle FL. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday.

6pm to 8pm Free. SHUT YOUR FACE! Poetry Slam by Curtis Meyer! La Casa De La Paellas 10414 E Colonial Dr Orl FL. The only current ongoing slam in Orlando officially certified by Poetry Slam Incorporated, IE. Send a team to Nats as well as poets to The Individual World Poetry Slam & Women of The World Poetry Slam! $50 to the winner! If you’ve never seen or been in a slam before, it’s definitely worth checking out!

INFO: curtisxmeyer@hotmail.com

Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel Spreads Holiday Cheer with Inaugural Gingerbread House Competition and Display

Posted on by Thor

Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek, (9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Fl) is well known for its exceptional dining
and artfully crafted pastries, handmade by world renowned executive
pastry chef, David Ramirez, and his team. But now, the hotel is inviting
other local chefs, pastry enthusiasts and members of the hospitality
community to share in the confectionery fun as it introduces the
inaugural Rosen Shingle Creek Gingerbread House Competition. The contest
will benefit the new Florida Hospital Transplant House, scheduled to
open in 2015.

The competition will be judged by Ramirez, former winner of the Food
Network USA Pastry Challenge and former team captain for Team USA in the
Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, or World Pastry Cup; members of the
Florida Hospital’s Gourmet Soirée committee, Chef Emily Ellyn and Bill
Sullivan; and other community leaders.

“We are thrilled to introduce this wonderful new holiday tradition to
Rosen Shingle Creek,” said Leslie Menichini, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rosen Hotels and Resorts. “The Gingerbread House
Competition not only will provide a charming holiday backdrop for our
guests, but also, the proceeds will go to a very worthwhile cause, the
Florida Hospital Foundation to benefit the Florida Hospital Transplant
House to aid organ transplant recipients and their families.”

The gingerbread houses were on display Dec. 1-22 at “Gingersnap
Station” in the hotel’s main lobby. Judging took place on Dec. 18
from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Entries were judged on originality, overall appearance, choice and
use of materials, and difficulty of design. All gingerbread houses were original; no kits could be used. The main components of the house,
including the walls and roof, had to be constructed of gingerbread and all
components of the house must be edible

 The Gingerbread House Competition is just one of many holiday events at
Rosen Shingle Creek this season. Other festive holiday events
include a Holiday Entertaining workshop with “Retro Rad” Chef Emily
Ellyn; the Big Band Dinner Show Series, featuring a performance by
Michael Andrew and The Atomic Big Band, A Blast from the Past
Original ’50s Holiday Revue, as well as a Nutcracker Ballet Performance,
and a high Tea, performances by local choirs; and much more. A variety of
specially priced accommodations packages are also available for holiday
getaways.

I arrived after the judging was over because I got stuck in rush hour traffic, so I’m not sure which gingerbread house was the winner. There were about a dozen gingerbread houses in all. The most impressive was a replica of the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel. On an easel was a giant check for $5000 to the Florida Hospital Transplant House. Carolers in period costumes were packing their instruments to leave. As I sketched a huge chorus of children sang at a staging area across the lobby.

2 Guys + 1 played at the American Legion.

Posted on by Thor

On our last evening in San Diego, California, Terry’s mom and her boyfriend took us to the American Legion 282 in La Mesa for dinner and dancing. The musicians of 2 Guys + 1 stood at a small staging area by the bar. I was the only one who actually ordered dinner and it was quite good.

The room was rather dark so sketching was a challenge. Marcy seemed proud to show off her daughter. The cover tunes were fine but I never felt the itch to dance. Terry seemed satisfied to watch. A woman pulled Macy’s boyfriend aside and suggested he dance with a woman who was recently widowed. He is light on his feet and was happy to comply. I’m not so sure Marcy was happy with having her dance partner loaned out.

My sister Pat frequents an American Legion Lodge in Florida and they all have the same atmosphere. There is palpable pride in those that served and the food is cheap and tasty. Who could ask for more? There is also a scent of stale beer and cigarettes that has seeped into the buildings woodwork. The Lodge in San Diego was in the basement giving the impression that you were walking down the steps to a speakeasy. I wonder how many American Legions there are in this country. There must be more than 282 of them. That means there are at least 5 Legions per state.

A ride along with the San Diego Police.

Posted on by Thor

Debbie and Paul Andreen‘s son, Kevin has joined the San Diego Police Department. He was kind enough to suggest I join him for a ride along as he cruised the neighborhoods just North of Mission Beach. When I first got in the police cruiser, he said I should seek cover and immediately use the cruiser radio to call the dispatch if shot were fired. He also wanted me to exit the cruiser any time he did. Much of the morning went by without incident. He pointed out several homeless men that he knew by name. Several weeks ago, a homeless man had died from an injury. He would have lived if any of his buddy’s had thought to bring him to an ER.

After a long time of driving without incident, Kevin parked the cruiser near an intersection that had stop signs. He explained that the road, heading towards the beach had a stop sign at every intersection. By the time drivers got this far they started rolling through the stops.  The law is that you have to come to a complete stop behind the white line. Within minutes, a woman approached the intersection and rolled past the line. He quickly followed and pulled her over a block away. He approached her drivers side door to get her license and write up the ticket. I waited outside the cruiser. The ticketing process took longer than I expected, I probably could have done a small sketch. Kevin wrote down some notes after the traffic stop, because months from now he would have to appear in court. Without documentation it would be hard to recall the details of every traffic stop. He returned to the intersection to check that the stop sign wasn’t obstructed or the line worn away.

Twice the dispatch sent Kevin to homes to check on people. Relatives had tried to contact the people living in the homes and they were concerned that they couldn’t get in touch. While waiting outside the first home, I felt uneasy. A friend had recently committed suicide and this must have been what it was like when police first arrived on the scene and found the body. In both cases, the person was home and in fine condition. Kevin would diplomatically ask questions to make sure the person was safe. It was a bit odd to follow the police into peoples homes. At one point I kicked over a cat toy by mistake. The resident asked who I was since I wasn’t in uniform, and Kevin would explain that I was a ride along. She had a history of depression and Kevin needed to confirm that she was taking her medications.

One call was from an angry woman who was sure that construction workers who were jack hammering up a driveway, had dented her car. The construction workers denied damaging the car. Kevin just wanted to get their contact information.  We looked at the car and I didn’t notice any damage. When talking to the woman in her yard, Kevin explained that this wasn’t a police matter but an issue for insurance companies. He gave her the construction company’s information and told her to contact her insurance company. She seemed relieved just to be able to air her grievances. Before being a police officer, Kevin had been a teacher and that must have given him experience in being diplomatic. The beat puts him in contact with a wide variety of people, from beach bums to the ultra rich. Interacting with so many people certainly makes police work interesting.

Re-Constructing the San Salvador in San Diego.

Posted on by Thor

Not far from Mission Beach the Maritime Museum of San Diego, (1492 North Harbor Dr.

San Diego, CA) is building a full-sized, fully functional, and historically accurate replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s flagship, San Salvador. Plans didn’t actually exist so they used old sketches, paintings and written documents to find the dimensions and proportions of the sailing ship. Many of the ship builders are volunteers and they are relearning ship building techniques that haven’t been used for over a hundred years. The build site is open to visitors every day from 11am to 4pm. Paul Andreen and I arrived a bit early and Paul managed to talk our way in by explaining what I do.

 In 1542, Juan Cabrillo led the first European expedition to explore what
is now the west coast of the United States. The Gulf of California had
recently been explored by Francisco de Ulloa, Hernando de Alarcón and
Domingo del Castillo, proving that California was not an island. Cabrillo was commissioned by Pedro de Alvarado, Governor of
Guatemala, for a voyage up the California coast under the flag of
Spain. Cabrillo hoped to find the fabulously wealthy cities known as
Cibola, believed to be somewhere on the Pacific coast beyond New Spain,
and a route connecting the North Pacific to the North Atlantic — the
non-existent “Straits of Anian”.

The Cabrillo expedition sailed out of the port of Navidad, near
modern day Manzanillo, on June 24, 1542. Accompanying Cabrillo were a
crew of sailors, soldiers, Indian and probably black slaves, merchants,
a priest, livestock and provisions for two years. Three ships, the
flagship San Salvador built by Cabrillo himself, were under his command. Cabrillo reached “a very good enclosed port” which is now San Diego
bay, on September 28, 1542, naming it “San Miguel”. He probably
anchored his flagship, the San Salvador at Ballast Point on
Point Loma’s east shore. Six days later, he departed San Diego sailing
northward and exploring the uncharted coast line of California. His
voyage helped to dispel myths and allowed Spain to proceed with the
task of colonizing the expanded Spanish Empire. Cabrillo visited many
of the islands along the coast — Santa Cruz, Catalina and San
Clemente, and may have sailed as far north as Oregon.

On December 21st the Maritime Museum will Celebrate  its 44th annual Parade of Lights. Modern and historic ships are covered in Christmas lights and the floating parade can be seen from the Maritime Museum. Ticket sales help keep the historic reconstruction work going.

The Childrens Pool in La Jolla is closed for Harbor Seals.

Posted on by Thor

In 1931 a sea wall was built at this tiny La Jolla California beach to create a children’s pool, that was safe from waves. This safe harbor however was also a perfect haven for harbor seals to raise their puCalifornia Cps during the breeding season. Local residents to used the beach resented the harbor seals. The water quality has deteriorated having high levels of bacterial contamination. Divers and spear fishermen still like to use the site. Over the years a debate has raged between residents who want to take back the children’s pool and those who want to protect the harbor seals.  The debate has played out in state and federal courts, in city council votes and in the legislature. There have been protests staged on both sides of the issue.

Last spring the city imposed night time closures of the beach after incidents of visitors harassed the seals by punching, kicking or sitting on them. Unfortunately people can’t be trusted to live this close to a harbor seal colony. When I visited the children’s pool there were only a few harbor seals in the children’s pool, most of them out by the retaining wall. During pupping season however there can be hundreds of seals on the beach. The site has become a tourist attraction giving visitors a great view of the beach and harbor seal colony from the cliffs.

In a unanimous vote, the California Coastal Commission will close the beach during pupping season which is between December 15th and May 15th.  This ordinance is the strongest action to date that protects the harbor seal colony. A chain will be installed to block the lower stairs leading to the beach. A sign will be posted warning visitors of the regulation. Violators will face misdemeanor penalties of up to $1000 or six months in jail. In the past year, a thin rope was stretched across the beach to guide visitors away from the seals in pupping season. When disturbed, a mother seal can give birth prematurely or abandon her pups. The rope wasn’t very effective at keeping people from harassing the seals. Perhaps the chain and ordinance will be more effective. Some residents feel that the seasonal closure exceeds the city’s authority. Apparently only the federal government has the authority to manage seals under the marine Mammal Protection Act.

In a short walk up the coast, snorkelers were in the water and seals would playfully approach them while staying just out of reach. Such close interactions in a natural setting are rare. In water the seals have the advantage of speed and agility, but on land they can be vulnerable to harassment. The debate still rages about this small children’s pool. But the seals have won a victory and can raise their pups in peace this Christmas season.

Top 10 wipe outs on the Mission Beach Flow Rider..

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Mission Beaches Belmont Park  in San Diego has a large flow rider wave that curls into a tube. Our intrepid group sat for several hours at dusk watching beginners and experts tackle the wave. It is most fun watching beginners attempt the wave. They are let out holding a tether to keep their balance. As soon as the life guard asks them to let go of the life line, they wipe out and are thrown over the top of the wave. The perpetual wave is created by jets of water that flow up a plastic ramp. One experienced surfer wore Groucho Marx glasses as he surfed the wave. His every move was relaxed and confident. He would disappear inside the tube and then burst out in a flash of spray just when you started to wonder if he had wiped out. It is possible to lie back on the wave and bounce back upright since the wave has a solid base.

Watching the flow riders is an infinitely entertaining way to spend an afternoon.  It became even more relaxing as we sipped margaritas. When we had our fill we walked back down the beach to our apartment where we played card games to pass the time. Up until I was ten years old, my family always rented a bungalow at the Jersey shore. Spending this much time at the beach brought those childhood memories back. My family would play Monopoly late into the night and I remember creating my own boogie board out of plywood. I never graduated to surfing unfortunately. The little kids that rode the flow rider wave always seemed to learn quickly since their center of gravity is already low.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 20 & 21

Posted on by Thor

Saturday December 20, 2014

4pm to 7pm Free but order some BBQ. Grits n Gravy LIVE Christmas Special. Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que Restaurant & Catering Services 1471 Lee Rd, Winter Park, Fl. Enjoy delicious slow cooked BBQ and a live Internet broadcast live from Bubbalous Bodacious BBQ on Lee rd. winter park December 20th 4 pm est. we will have karaoke and beer and BBQ specials for all those that attend in person. Plus the musical genius Bubba Whoop Ass Wilson and the comic stylings of country comedian Vic Clevenger more to be announced soon. Follow this event for the most up to date information.

6pm to 8pm Free. Brewery Tour. Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, FL.

9:30pm to 11:30pm Free, but get a drink or some Tapas. Son Flamenco. Ceviche Tapas Orlando, 125 W Church St, Orlando, FL.



Sunday December 21, 2014

Noon to 2pm Free. Jane Rosenbaum’s  Guitar Giveaway. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, North Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL. Visitors to Music at the Casa on December 21st can purchase a $3 raffle ticket to enter the drawing to win a new Tyler Mountain Acoustic Guitar! All proceeds go to Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum. For more information on the raffle, please see the flyer at the bottom of this page.

 Jane Rosenbohm is an accomplished classical guitarist with over 46 years of experience in Musical Arts whose passion and skill with the Classical Guitar is an inspiration to many as she continues to educate and perform. Jane has performed with various prominent musicians through participating in the Christopher Parkening Master Class and The Castellani and Andreaccio Duo Master Class in Rome, Italy.

Noon to 2pm Free. Feminism For Everybody First Meeting. Stardust Video & Coffee 1842 E Winter Park Rd, Orlando, Fl. This will be our first meeting. We’ll be doing a brunch time talk for men, women, and transgender folks who are interested in discussing feminism. Brunch starts at 11:30. This is not an anti-men group. I hope not just women will come as it’s very informative to hear about how feminism effects all of us. You do not have to know anything about the feminism movement, come and learn! In this first meeting, we will discuss the following topics:

-Getting familiar with the Mens’ Rights Movement..

-How does feminism serve universally?

-Why are some women anti-feminism?

Those are just suggested topics, though. If there’s something you want to contribute, please feel free to do so. Below are some articles you can read before hand, although I know people are busy so if you don’t, it’s no thang:

Men’s Rights Movement:

-Articles soon.

How does feminism serve universally?

1. Can Men Be Objectified by Women?: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/07/men-objectified-by-women/

2. 5 Reasons Why Feminism Needs to Address Child Abuse (While Yes, Recognizing That Women Can Be Abusive Too): http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/10/feminism-against-child-abuse/

3. Feminism and Anxiety: How the Movement Changed My Relationship with My Mental Health: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/05/feminism-and-anxiety/

4. Pondering Male Privilege Post-Transition: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/11/pondering-male-privilege-post-transition/

5. When White Women Cry: How White Women’s Tears

Oppress Women of Color: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ899418.pdf

6. This American Life podcast, 220: Testosterone

AUG 30, 2002: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/220/testosterone (the whole thing is great, but in particular to this discussion is Act Two, Infinite Gent.)

Why are some women anti-feminism?

1. The crisis of “bad feminism” is worse than you think: http://www.salon.com/2014/09/01/the_crisis_of_bad_feminism_is_worse_than_you_think/

2. More articles soon!

Please comment if you have any other good articles or books as well.

5:30pm to ?  $8 Southern Fried Sunday for The Holidays with Thomas Wynn & Friends, Laney Jones and The Lively Spirits & Justin and The Out.  Will’s Pub 1042 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Fl. It’s that time again, to gather with friends and celebrate the holidays together to the SFS soundtrack of Thomas Wynn and Friends! This year they’ll be joined by Laney Jones and The Lively Spirits -back home from Boston- and a collaborative performance by David Whittaker, Justin Kangrga and the man on skins as Justin & The Out! Bring 3 or more non-perishable food items for Second Harvest Food Bank and receive a complementary eggnog or PBR! Cover includes a BBQ Dinner.

Come share the holiday spirit with us!

Belmont Park In San Diego is always bustling.

Posted on by Thor

On the evening that Terry, Debbie and Paul Andreen went to their high school reunion, I walked down the Mission Beach boardwalk to Belmont Park to sketch the Merry-go-round. Of course choosing to spin something that is always spinning like a top is a bit insane, but I sketched in the calm moments as children clamored on board and saddled up. I found a nice bench where parents often sat while waiting for their children. The roller coaster loomed in the background and screams periodically overcame the Merry-go-rounds pipe organ music.

The Little Dipper ice cream booth had a constant stream of patrons. There was a fence around the Merry-go-round but I felt it cluttered the view, so I left it out. As I sketched dusk turned to night, so I kept darkening the watercolor washed. Sketching at sunset makes sense since the whole process of applying washes to a sketch involves building in the colors from light to dark.

When this sketch was done, I probably had time to do another sketch in one of the arcades. Sketching in such a loud crowded setting is exhausting however so I walked back to the beach front apartment. There I relaxed on the patio and watched the stars. Fire pits ignited all along the beach every 100 yards or so. It was several hours before everyone got back to tell me about what I had missed. The reunion venue overlooked the pro baseball stadium. It sounded like a great sketch opportunity, but that is why I wasn’t invited, I can’t put the sketchbook down.