"An Interview"

This morning, I was interviewed by the Boston Globe.

One of the writers is putting together a piece about the telvision show, American Idol, and she wanted to talk with a few of the people who run fansites online. As it just so happens, I used to host a once-popular discussion site for the series, and although my time and efforts have gone to other projects in recent months, I was still thrilled to share my actor perspective on the show.

It's certainly not everyday that a major newspaper considers you to be enough of a guru on a subject that they request a personal interview to get your opinion. And, if you ask me, regardless of how the article turns out, that's a pretty darn cool way to start any day!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:07 AM  I   I  0 comments

"And thus end the Winter Games."

Goodbye Torino. It's been a thrill! Time to start thinking about Vancouver in 2010.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:29 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret of outward success."
- Henry Ward Beecher

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:33 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Figure Skating 2006"

Congratulations to US Olympic figure skater, Sasha Cohen, for her silver medal in Torino. I was rather hoping Emily Hughes might join her, but that wasn't quite in the cards. Still, a silver for Sasha, and 7th place for Emily (who wasn't even slated to participate in the first place) capped off a great end to a very engaging Olympic competition.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:49 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Wednesday in Review"

I got my hair cut today. Gone is the wavy "model-like" look. Back is the shorter style I usually prefer. And, while I probably will miss the locks somewhat, it did feel great to walk outside in today's warm 50-degree weather, and not have them blow all over the place. :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:24 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Presidential Makeover"

The face on the one-dollar bill is not the real George Washington. So say experts who are re-creating what our first US president really looked like in 3-dimensions. They are not only bringing him to life, but also restoring his youth.

Most Americans think of George Washington as the stiff old man who appears on every one-dollar bill. But U.S. historians say the one-dollar bill isn't worth much when it comes to portraying their first president. Jim Rees, executive director of historic Mount Vernon points out that George Washington and the artist who painted him didn't much like each other.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 4:06 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Birthday Recap"

Today wasn't all that different from any other Saturday. I got a little work done, but for the most part, I just took the day off and celebrated my birthday. I did recieve phone calls from my military sister down in Texas and my actress sister up north, but other than that, it was a rather quiet day. I kept it low-key.

In fact, I even managed to keep Scott (my roomate) out of the loop. He had no idea. Ironically, though, when he and I went to the store this evening, he decided to pick up a bottle of Chardonnay. Neither of us are social drinkers, but from time to time, and usually on a whim, he'll pick up something of the wine sort as a treat. It just so happened that tonight was one of those times. So, while he had no idea it was my birthday, I still ended up toasting the event! THAT -- if you ask me -- was a pretty cool happenstance!

So, here's to a new year of life. Here's to the joys and successes yet to come. May number twenty-seven be one full of adventure and fortune. And, God-willing, I'll be able to celebrate the passing of this one too in another 365 days!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend all, and until next time,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:53 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Happy Birthday!"

Today I am 26.

According to the Birthday Calculator:

- My date of conception was on or about 28 May 1979 which was a Monday.
- I was born on a Monday.
- I am 312 months old.
- I am 1,356 weeks old.
- I am 9,497 days old.
- My birthstone is Amethyst

- In 1980 there were approximately 3.6 million births in the US.
- In 1980 the US population was approximately 226,545,805 people.
- The year 1980 was a leap year.

I don't know what I'll do to celebrate. Odds are, though, I'll probably work. I work every day. Maybe I'll finally launch my "top secret" new personal website project. Or, maybe I'll do some drawing. Then again, maybe I'll do neither. We'll see. It's great being self-employed!

Have a blessed weekend all! Stay warm.

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:07 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Yep, it's cold outside."

Right now: -5 degrees (Fahrenheit), -25 wind chill

"The coldest weather this winter will affect Southern Wisconsin tonight and Saturday morning. Temperatures are expected to plummet to between 5 and 15 degrees below zero. Adding northwest winds of 10 to 20 MPH... Wind chills will fall to readings of 20 to 34 degrees below zero.

These conditions will result in frost bite... and could lead to hypothermia... if precautions are not taken. If you venture outdoors... wear several layers of clothing. If traveling make sure you take enough winter clothing in case of car trouble."
Milwaukee Weather Forecast on Yahoo

Just to put things in perspective for those of you who don't live in cold climates, right now it is 40-45 degrees colder here than it is down in Antarctica, the coldest place on earth. And, it's even 35 degrees colder here in Milwaukee than is it up in Anchorage, Alaska.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:31 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Thundersnow"

Today was a wet and snowy day here in Milwaukee. Slippery slushy roads. Heavy snow. Freezing rain. Thunder and lighting. Yeah, not a pleasant day as far as the weather was concerned. We got at least three inches of snowfall. Forty-five minutes north (where my younger actress sister lives), they got 8-10 inches.

Within the next few days, the temperature will drop sharply, it will be bitterly cold, and we might get even more snow. I tell you, these Wisconsin winters are unpredicatable. Two days ago it was warm, pleasant, snow-less, and over 50 degrees.

Very unpredictable indeed.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:37 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."
- C.S. Lewis

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:35 PM  I   I  0 comments

"How Common is Your Surname?"

Enter your last name, and see a map of the name's distribution: Surnames in USA.

According to the map, there are 10-50 people in Wisconsin with the last name "Baas". The same is true of Minnesota where my family lives. The largest concentration of Baas' appears to be in Michigan where there are between 100-1000 people that share the name.

How well does your surname fare?

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:31 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Crazy Clones"

Now this was a fun site! ... Crazy Clones -- Human reproduction via Photoshop.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:19 PM  I   I  0 comments

"A little behind the times."

This is just sad. My roomate actually gave me a 2006 wall calendar today to replace the one still on my wall. The one on my wall is from 2003.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:47 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"I'm a great believer of luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."
- Thomas Jefferson

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:58 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Creative Auctions"

For those that are interested, you can now keep up-to-date with the excitement of my creative auctions on Ebay. I've created a special page here on JonBaas.com to cover the details, as well as reveal any mystery as to what was in some of them. I'll probably be adding more details over the next few days, but for now, it's a start.

If you haven't heard, Mystery Auctions, odd auctions, and auctions with a high degree of creativity and entertainment value are a hot topic on Ebay these days. They're also a great venue for someone as artistic as myself to promote and share my work. You'll probably hear mixed reviews about some of these auctions in general. Some people love them. Others hate them. But for an honest seller with a true pension for sharing creativity (and a willingness to be generous), it's a treasure trove of opportunities.

Life is about giving more than it is receiving. And if I can use my creative skills in this venue to brighten someone else's day, share something that they can appreciated for years to come, or just make them smile, then my goal is achieved. Success, whether in the auction setting or anywhere else in life, isn't about the wealth you accumulate, it's about how you interact with others. Cheat them, and you'll ultimately fail. But if you make your business the business of helping others, then the sky's the limit!

Have a blessed Sunday all. I'm heading to bed. Until next time,

Your happily blogging creative friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:53 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Victorian Playhouse"

How's this for outrageous. It's a child's playhouse designed to look victorian with front porch, turret, cedar-shingled gable, scrollwork accents, octagonal window, shingled roof, and bay window with window boxes. And that's just the outside. You've gotta see the interior!

Construction cost: $23,400.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:22 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Torino 2006"

Huzzah! The 2006 Winter Olympics have begun.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm looking forward to watching the figure skating and speedskating. Oh, yes, and the Opening Ceremonies. Go USA!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:13 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Kitchen Painting"

More painting this morning. Lots of white, beige, and cold hands. Fun times.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 4:17 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."
- C.S. Lewis

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:19 PM  I   I  0 comments

"The Mechanical Contrivium"

Thanks to the Mechanical Contrivium, I found these Top Ten Trivia Tips about me. And, oddly enough, some of them aren't that far off the mark.

1. Jon Baas is the world's smallest mammal.
2. The only planet that rotates on its side is Jon Baas.
3. The difference between Jon Baas and a village is that Jon Baas does not have a church!
4. Ancient Chinese artists would never paint pictures of Jon Baas.
5. The most dangerous form of Jon Baas is the bicycle!
6. Jon Baas never said 'Play it again, Sam'!
7. In Japan it is considered rude to talk with Jon Baas in your mouth!
8. The porpoise is second to Jon Baas as the most intelligent animal on the planet.
9. Jon Baas has a memory span of three seconds.
10. Peanuts and Jon Baas are beans!

Perhaps I should clarify a few things though. The Ancient Chinese would never paint pictures of me because they know my painting skills are far better then theirs, and yes, sometimes I am dangerous with a bicycle (ask the scar on my right knee). I also put a stop to being shoved in peoples mouths when they talk. Come on, that's just rude! And the intelligence tip, how kind! But a memory span of three seconds, now, that's just...

What was I saying?

Anyway, I hope that clarifies things. Now you know. Have a blessed Thursday all!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:31 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Just a little paint"

I did some painting today. Nothing involving a canvas. But it did spruce up part of the kitchen in an old house. And the changes look far better than the original paint scheme! It almost makes you wonder, who in the earlier part of the last century, started the trend that colors like pistachio-lime green, muddy dirt brown, and various shades of burnt-toast yellow were attractive as wall paint? Blech. They look horrible (even worse when faded and dirty with age)!

Then add things like flowered wall paper and black and white checkered flooring!... Yikes!

Was it a matter of some celebrity starting a design fad, or was the sense of design that rediculously mis-matched? I'm sure our desendents will shake their heads at some of our current design fads, but, come on, there's really no excuse for designing your house in colors like that!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:15 PM  I   I  0 comments

"State of the Blogosphere"

The State of the Blogoshere is strong. Here are some facts:

- Technorati now tracks over 27.2 Million blogs.
- The blogosphere is doubling in size every 5 and a half months.
- It is now over 60 times bigger than it was 3 years ago.
- On average, a new weblog is created every second of every day.
- 13.7 million bloggers are still posting 3 months after their blogs are created.
- Technorati tracks about 1.2 Million new blog posts each day, about 50,000 per hour.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:55 AM  I   I  0 comments

"SuperBowl Sunday"

I missed the SuperBowl. I really wasn't interested. Besides, I had work to do. But, thanks to the internet, I still had a chance to see the best part -- the commercials. ... So, here's my review:

Jon's Top Three 2006 SuperBowl Commericals:

1.) Budweiser: Streaker
2.) Budweiser: Barn
3.) Mastercard: MacGyver

Most Successful Competition Ad:
- Diet Pepsi: Kung-Fu Can

Best Theme from Last Year:
- CareerBuilder: Monkeys

Best Update to Last Year's Theme:
- CareerBuilder: Donkeys

And just for kicks, even more monkey business.

Most Creative Commercial Idea:
- Fedex: Cavemen

The "That's Just Bizarre" Award:
- Burger King: Whopperette

The "Umm, I Don't Get It" Award:
- Emerald Nuts: Druid

And most deservedly last:

This years absolute worst Commercial:
- McDonalds: Hamster

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:09 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Just a Dusting"

It's snowing. Nothing significant mind you. It'll probably all by gone by tomorrow afternoon. But it does bring up an interesting question... With all of this unusually warm winter weather around here in SE Wisconsin, I hope that doesn't mean we'll also have an unseasonably hot (and dry) summer. If that's the case, I think there'll be a lot of unhappy farmers this year.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:13 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Five and Counting"

I realized something interesting as I was walking back from the store this evening. Just one of those random thoughts I guess. Did you know that as an artist and a web designer, I actively maintain five notable websites?

- This website, JonBaas.com.
- The online store where I sell my artwork.
- My popular Star Trek roleplaying site, the USS Terra Nova.
- My sister's theatre program for kids.
- And a fifth personal creative project currently in the works.

This doesn't count the list of websites that I have designed for other clients but do not actively maintain. I guess I'm busier than I thought!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:46 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"Where your talents and the world's needs cross, there lies your vocation."
- Aristotle

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:24 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Forgotten Photography"

I love the mystery of old abandoned places. Perhaps that's why I found this so interesting...

Forgotten Photography provides a photographic journey through some of America's historical asylums and state hospitals. In the 1800's these elegant asylums and state hospitals were intended to be the first step towards the humane treatment of the mentally ill.

These once lavish buildings now stand empty, a hollow shell of what was once the best mankind could offer for an illness he didn't understand and couldn't cure.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:46 PM  I   I  0 comments

"The Russian Photography Collection 1917-1945"

The Russian Photography Collection is comprised of approximately 7,000 photographs by the leading photographers and photojournalists working in Soviet Russia between the two World Wars.

The collection was assembled as the Soviet Union tore itself apart leaving a tattered social fabric behind. Organized as a history of 20th century photography of the Soviet Union the collection focuses on the categories: Constructivism/Avant-Garde, Propaganda, Photo-Reportage, War Photography, and Socialist Realism which provide the most effective and complete view of one of the most incredible experiments in human history.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:21 PM  I   I  0 comments