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Saturday, May 31, 2008


"Fifteen Years Later"

"I think God likes to surprise us sometimes and wait awhile so that when we do receive something, we appreciate it even more and it is twice as sweet."
-- Carrie Goertz

Yesterday, I had the honor of being reunited with an old friend -- an old friend whom I haven't seen or heard from in fifteen years. Yeah... fifteen years!

I lost contact with Joy back when we were both in 7th grade. That made me sad. I had a big crush on her; she was a wonderful friend. But when I moved away from the country -- and she stayed -- well, our friendship just couldn't bridge the miles. So we lost touch. Fifteen years passed. Then, yesterday, there it was... a note from Joy in my inbox. Just like that, we were back in contact!

She's a single mom now, two wonderful kids, working on a nursing degee. I'm a successful actor/artist who owns my own business. We've both grown up, moved on. And even though we've gone down seperate paths in life, it's still extraordinarily humbling to witness God's hand at work. Just like my friend Carrie said, the Lord has a way of surprising us, and he usually does so at a time and place when we least expect it.

I tell ya, things like that really make me sit back and smile!

Thank you Lord. I *really* needed that. :)

-Jon

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Friday, May 30, 2008


"Non-Abductees Anonymous"

We just all want to be loved! But what happens when a group of quirky people come to feel that not being abducted by aliens equates to extraterrestial rejection?

They create a support group... [video]

-Jon

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"Blogging Update"

My appologies for the lack of posts yesterday. My web server was undergoing maintenance upgrades. It would appear, however, that all is well again, and I'm back up and running. So... thank you for your patience. I now return you to your regularly scheduled blogging!

-Jon

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008


"Cargo Container Architecture"

It’s hard to believe that cargo shipping containers (those big metal "boxes" that carry freight across the ocean) can make beautiful homes, but they do. WebUrbanist has an interesting post about creative homes, offices, shopping malls, and hotels that have been built out them.

-Jon

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"Phoenix Mars Lander Twitter Feed"

I haven't gotten caught up yet in the micro-blogging trend that is Twitter, but I do have to admit, this is a really cool idea: In a brilliant approach to reporting the news, the Pheonix Mars Lander now has a Twitter feed -- in the first person. It's been sending constant updates since it landed on the Martian surface this past Sunday.

-Jon

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"The Pneumonia Front"

Memorial Day here in Milwaukee was a sunny 81F -- the first 80-degree day of the year. It was the perfect day to be outdoors. But once the sun went down, a pneumonia front moved in, and the temperature dropped by 40 degrees. Right now, it's staying steady at a chilly 41F, with freeze warnings in effect for northern Wisconsin, and frost possible within the next 24 hours.

For those unfamiliar with the weather term, a pneumonia front is a rare meteorological phenomena that is observed along the western shores of Lake Michigan (aka, the Wisconsin side) during the warm season. These cold fronts are heavily modified by the still-cold waters of the southern Great Lakes, and result in one hour temperature drops of 16 degrees (F) or more.

The winds have shifted too... from being light and out of the west, to blowing in from the northeast, and gusting up to 40 mph along Lake Michigan. I live about 4 miles inland from the downtown shoreline, so I'm definitely experiencing the chill... and the gusts.

The normal temperature for yesterday -- May 26 -- is only 70F. So to drop 40 degrees like this, definitely qualifies as weird weather. However, after a record winter of 100 inches of snow, and constant shoveling... should we really be surprised?

-Jon

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Monday, May 26, 2008


"Memorial Day 2008"

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -- John F. Kennedy

Remember the Fallen; they gave us freedom. Remember the soldier; he keeps us free.

-Jon

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Sunday, May 25, 2008


"Jon Dyer's Beard of Many Types"

Jon Dyers is on a quest to grow every type of beard (and sideburn) known to man. Not only is this an artistic pursuit I admire, but I think it's also one I may have a little fun with myself. :)

That said, which of these beards do you think would look good on me?

-Jon

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Saturday, May 24, 2008


"Film Review: Indiana Jones 4"

Earlier this evening, Scott and I went to see the new film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". As strong fans of the Indy franchise, we were both looking forward to some of the clever fun that made the first three movies great classics. This movie, however, was not great.

My review of the film would be as follows: The special effects were fantastic... but the script was really bad. It was poorly written, full of extreme implausibility, unbelievable plot sequences, and all sorts of "what the heck!" moments. But, hey... the special effects were really cool!

And yeah, it definitely had all the classic Indiana Jones prerequisites. Trusty bullwhip? Check. Fedora? Check. Long car chase with creative fighting and leaping? Check. Dark tombs lit by torches? Check. Gross creepy crawly critters? Check. Magnificent "ancient" underground locations. Check. Indiana Jones humor. Check. Story... no check.

It was entertaining to see all these classic Indy elements on the big screen again. And Harrison Ford played the role just as well as he did in the first three movies. But what made the movie entertaining was actually the nostalgia, the in-jokes and the ever-prevalent self-parody. I had fun and I laughed often, which was a selling point, and made the the ticket price worthwhile. But I don't think I'd go see this film a second time. I question too whether I would buy this film on DVD.

I'm also a little hesitant to call this a true "Indiana Jones" movie. Indy is a little out of place in the late 1950's. As are the Soviets running around unopposed in Nevada (aka, the middle of the USA). And when George Lucas (who co-wrote the screenplay) turned the movie into a science fiction adventure (yes, "science fiction"), I lost a great deal of respect. But -- story aside -- it was a fun one-time watch... and the special effects were fantastic.

In short, this movie was entertaing, but it doesn't take itself seriously, and probably shouldn't be part of the Indiana Jones canon.

-Jon

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Friday, May 23, 2008


"Friday in Review"

Did some landscaping. Trimmed a few trees. Helped pull out some bushes; got a few thorns in my hand. Removed thorns. Had lunch at Rocky Rococo (Mmmm, pizza!). Came home. Worked a bit. Hung out. Missing a dear friend. Doing this and that.

-Jon

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Thursday, May 22, 2008


"Vertical Gardens and Sky Farms"

Vertical gardening is a novel concept taking off all over the world. These types of gardens are well-suited for an urban environment where space on the ground is limited, but vertical space is plentiful. They are cooling and calming, they freshen the air, and some even produce flowers and vegetables. Here are some pictures of a few vertical gardens and sky farms. Enjoy!

-Jon

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"T-Shirt Thursday: Election 2008 T-Shirts"

In an effort to show off some of my popular (or new) t-shirts, artwork, and gift ideas exclusive to my online store, Jon Baas Designs, I've decided to feature a few of them here on my blog every Thursday. I call it, "T-Shirt Thursday". Feel free to comment, and enjoy!

Today's Featured Designs:
(click on each image to see available products)

Barack Obama T-shirtsJohn McCain T-shirtsHillary Clinton T-shirts

More T-shirts & Gifts: .... Election 2008 T-Shirts .... Military T-Shirts

And for those of you who like to shop, weekly sales and coupons are available on the front page of my store. Feel free to use them for special discounts!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008


"Stuntman"

Here's some mindless -- yet thoroughly entertaining -- internet fun. Use your mouse to pick up your own personal stuntman... and toss him around all over the place! Enjoy!

-Jon

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008


"Quote of the Day"

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

-Jon

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"Jon Baas: Now on Facebook"

As most of my friends know, I'm very active on MySpace (my MS profile). Outside of this website (JonBaas.com) and my blog (the thing you're reading right now), social networking serves as a great place for me to interact directly with my friends, family, and fans. This past week, I finally decided to expand my online presence, and I joined Facebook as well (my FB profile). If you're the socializing type, feel free to add me on either site.

You might be surprised at some of the other people you'll find too!

-Jon

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Monday, May 19, 2008


"Quiet Monday"

No posts today; Day off. But I'll be back tomorrow.

-Jon

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Saturday, May 17, 2008


"SomethingStore"

Do you like surprises? At SomethingStore in New York, a new online shop, you can buy something for $10. You just don't know what you're buying. They'll send you "something" -- a randomly selected item -- and you'll find out what it is when it arrives on your doorstep.

It maybe something you need, something you want, or something you desire. It may be a cool gadget, rare book, handmade necklace, box of gourmet chocolates, set of shiny shower curtains, popular video game, a set of kitchen knives, a pair of designer jeans, garden tool, electronic equipment, or a magazine subscription. And your "something" will probably be brand new, however it could also be refurbished or antique.

This actually reminds me of the extremely popular Ebay "mystery auction" craze a few years ago. Only in this case, someone has turned it into a successful business.

-Jon

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Friday, May 16, 2008


"Friday in Review"

Finished painting an apartment; full day's work. Treated to an Italian Beef sandwich at Sammy's. Came home; took a short nap. Did a little work. Watched some "Quantum Leap" on DVD. Planning to be up doing this and that well into Saturday morning.

-Jon

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Thursday, May 15, 2008


"A Thursday Morning Hike"

Earlier this morning, I decided to go for a walk. My path of choice: the tranquil Honey Creek near my home. And I actually chose to walk down beside the creek (right along it's edge), not on the nearby parkway that borders it.

Where I live, Honey Creek Parkway is part of the Milwaukee County Park System. It's a small natural creek that has been enhanced to serve as a conduit for excess rainwater after large storms. As such, it emerges from under my neighborhood (aka, underground) near my apartment, and travels for a length northward along a narrow concrete riverbed. Eventually that concrete riverbed disappears, and a rustic creek environment (flowing through forested parkland) takes it's place.

I started my walk at the "headwaters" (where the creek emerges from underground), and followed it's many peaceful curves wherever they took me. I traveled under old stone bridges, most built in the 1930's and 40's. I weaved in and out of trees and shrubs poking up through cracks in the concrete. I even took my camera, and made frequent stops to capture the beauty.

After traveling under a few of those old bridges, the concrete riverbed vanished, and the lazy water cut it's way through significant patches of forest. By this point, I was no longer able to walk beside the creek, as trees grew right to it's edge, but that didn't matter. A system of rustic unpaved forest trails traveled atop the west bank, and I followed that instead. And let me tell you, I thought it was beautiful down along the concrete parts of the creek... but the forested trail -- looking down over the shallow rocky creek -- that was even more spectacular!

I left my apartment sometime around 7am this morning. The bright sun was casting long morning shadows over the city, and it seemed like the perfect light for taking photos. I filled up my digital camera with shots, and turned around only when the batteries died on me. I returned to my apartment three and a half hours later.

But, wow! What a wonderful way to start the day! The trees were in full blossom (beautiful shades of pink, purple, violet, white, lilac, red), all manner of green leaves and grasses flooded the scenery, and the quiet babbling of the creek made my walk extremely peaceful and serene. Only God could have painted a setting like this, and boy did he go all out!

Yeah, I've definitely found a new place to explore. Honey Creek (and the parkway) continues much further north than the distance I hiked, so, I'll definitely be continuing my journey again sometime soon (and frequenting the areas I found today too!). If anyone is interested in taking a leisurely hike with me sometime, let me know, and we can hook up. I'd love the company! I'll also be uploading a few photos to MySpace later this weekend, so if you're able, feel free to take a peek.

I love my neighborhood. The places I found today, make me love it all the more!

-Jon

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"Your Oldest Thing?"

So, here's a fun question: What is the oldest thing you own?

In my case, it would be an old cobalt blue glass Bromo-Seltzer bottle. It looks exactly like this, and was most likely made around 1907. This particular 100-year-old bottle was found in an old dump, and given to me by an antique collector.

-Jon

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008


"Quote of the Day"

"The language of friendship is not words but meanings."
-- Henry David Thoreau

-Jon

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008


"15 Infamous Top Secret Bases"

Have you ever wondered where the government stores its most precious documents and artifacts, or where they process top secret information and carry out military attacks on the enemy?

Well, here's a list of 15 of the most secret and secure facilities on the planet, many of which you probably haven't even heard of because their locations are classified. Many of these secret bases are hidden beneath the ground, inside a mountain, or in the middle of nowhere.

-Jon

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"The Story of Dry Lake"

I've been having very vivid dreams lately. Almost every night, in fact. Some of them have been peculiar (as most dreams are), but others... well, they've been a bit more realistic. Believable even. All of them, however, have had one thing in common -- they've been complete stories with a beginning, middle, and an end.

So... in honor of this entertaining string of cinema-like dreams, I thought I'd take a moment and post one that I experienced way back in 2003. I found it so interesting, in fact, that I turned it into a story and posted it on my website. I've edited and reposted it here for you reading pleasure. Feel free to give it a read, and let me know what you think!


"The Story of Dry Lake"

The warm afternoon sun shines down upon Dry Lake. A young boy sits quietly on it's sandy shore, gazing out over the sparkling water. The day is beautiful, warm, peaceful... perfect for a leisurely swim to the opposite shore.

The boy's arms are strong, his swimming skillful, but he tires somewhere near the middle. So, resting for a moment, he floats peacefully in the cool comforting water. He listens to the environment around him. All is calm. All is quiet. When he feels refreshed, he resumes his journey.

Then, just below the surface, something jagged hits his leg. He stops.

Cursing the pain, yet filled with boyish curiousity, he dives below to see what he ran into. Much to his surprise, he discovers the broken mast of a sailing ship. Rising for air, and then returning below the water, his curiousity reveals the mast to be that of a mighty warship, its wooden planks mangled and broken in battle long ago.

Swimming down around the hull, the boy surveys this haunting wreck. Down here the lake is still illuminated by the sun above, and the waters are less deep than he thought. His curiousity growing, the young boy swims down further, alighting for a moment on the bottom of the lake. This strange ship intrigues him. He wants to learn more. Looking around, he sees that the lake bed is barren and upturned. No plants; no fish; no life; just him. Death and emptiness linger everywhere.

Suddenly, as if his presence had been expected, the waters vanish. Air fills the young boy's lungs, and be begins to breathe. His curiousity grows further, and he starts to explore. He wanders around the wreck. The illumination from above has disappeared, the waters are gone, and the same lake bed is now dry and dusty. A cloudy night sky drifts overhead.

Wide-eyed with wonder, the boy surveys his new surroundings. Strange shapes of metal and upturned earth join the wooden wreck. Shadows cast monsters in the moonlight, and the jagged shapes become old war machines jutting haphazardly upward from the pitted earth. Death and darkness saturate the scene, and the moon bounces eerily off the rusting vehicles. The ground is cold, the air warm. A battlefield rises around the boy.... A battlefield at the bottom of Dry Lake.

Curious, the boy inches toward a nearby trench. A twisted machine thrusts itself skyward. The ground is hard, caked and brittle by years of drought, and dried mud entombs everything unlucky to sink within. Half-buried human skeletons -- untouched for years -- litter the field, left to memorialize a battle no one remembers.

The boy's eyes grow narrow; they dart about the shadows. He hears a sound. Off in the distance, a coyote scrambles out from beneath an old vehicle. It looks around, yelps in fright, and skitters off.

Fear surges within the young boy's heart. He hears another sound. He looks down. Near his feet the dry earth moves. He jumps back. There, in place of once skeletal bones, rests a complete yet bedraggled soldier. It's body moves. It's eyes open, and the man sits up. Paying no attention to the wide-eyed youth, the old soldier unearths his weapon, dusts off his helmet, and crawls to his feet.

The young boy, frozen, his bare feet glued to the dusty earth, watches as the ancient soldier rises and makes his way toward a series of earthworks a few yards away. Others join him. Men of two distinct armies quietly... slowly... hauntingly... rise from the earth and take up positions in the field. The only sounds are the movement of resurrected troops, and the mournful whisper of the wind through the formations of earth and steel.

Mustering what strength he has left, the young boy slinks unnoticed through the sea of soldiers. He discovers a large overturned tree and hides behind it, watching as the long line of trenches fill with life. The moon passes behind a cloud, the shadows melt away. The boy is shaking. He's cold. He's frightened. He cannot speak.

Then the clouds pass; the shadows return. The once jagged earth is fresh and new. The trenches are full, a battle seems imminent. Men load cannons with empty shells. Broken vehicles, no longer covered in dirt and rust, lumber painfully toward positions of war. What was once a forgotten grave, has now become a field of battle.

A man silently loads another shell into a nearby cannon, and ducks below the rim of the earth. The scene falls silent. Minutes pass. Nothing moves.

Then, with a sudden burst of anger, the ground erupts into conflict. Shells explode everywhere, throwing volcanos of dust and debris high into the air. Shouts of battle pierce the night. Screams of the wounded crawl across the ground. Metal tank treads rip apart the earth, and the repeated popping of gunfire becomes a thunderous roar. Instinctively the young boy thrusts himself deeper into his tree, his head beneath his legs. He slips into darkness as the battle around him intensifies.

Time passes, and the darkness subsides. The boy awakens. All is silent. He waits, afraid to raise his head. Then, after an eternity of quiet, he pokes his head out from behind the shredded tree and surveys his surroundings. The smoke is drifting away. Nothing moves. The sky has grown lighter, as a new day arises. But the clouds still hold out the morning sun. The battle is over, and the trenches are empty. Stillness returns. Death and emptiness lurk about.

Slowly the boy crawls out from behind his tree. He sees the jagged earth. Broken vehicles thrust hauntingly into the morning sky, rust covering them just as before. The ground is pitted, and the soldiers are gone, replaced once again by the ancient skeletons half buried in the earth.

The field has returned to the way it was.

The boy emerges from his shelter, walking gingerly out into the past. He returns to his warship, and surveys the battlefield. After a few minutes, the air grows thin; it becomes hard to breathe. The waters return, and the boy is once again swimming around the old wooden wreck. The twisted mounds of earth disappear into the lake bed, illuminated only by periodic rays from above. The old rusty shapes thrust upwards -- reaching to be remembered.

The young boy feels his lungs call for air as he rises alongside the broken mast. He breaks through the surface into the warm sunny air, and once again finds himself drifting in the middle of the lake. Lost in thought, he turns around, returning to his sandy shore, and lays there in the peaceful afternoon sun. He watches the sparkling calm of the lake and begins to wonder.... Was that a dream? Or had he just witnessed a haunting secret buried beneath Dry Lake?

Years pass. The young boy grows up, becomes a man, and moves on in life, his experience nothing more than a forgotten dream. No one remembers.

Then, one warm summer day, a young boy sits with his friend on the grassy shore. The sun shines down, sparkling beautifully upon the water. Smiling, the boy looks at his friend challenging him to a race. His friend accepts, and before long, the two go for a swim.... a swim across Dry Lake.

-Jon

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Monday, May 12, 2008


"A Sign of the Times"

Four years ago today, I posted this on my blog:
"High Gas Prices!"
(Wednesday, May 12, 2004)

This is a little frightening. The price of unleaded gas at the local Milwaukee gas station a few blocks away, is currently at $2.08/gallon. Good thing I don't own a car right now. Ouch!

Today this happened:

"Gas Prices Hit $4 Around Milwaukee Area"

Uh. Yeah. Even more frightening. Next stop... $5/gallon.

-Jon

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Sunday, May 11, 2008


"Wisdom of the Day"

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." -- Hebrews 11:1-2
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman
(Mark 5:21-43)

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. A woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out of him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'"

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the Teacher anymore?"

Ignoring what they said, Jesus told Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing?" The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said, "Talitha Koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

How cool is that! Our Heavenly Father is compassionate, loving, and he has complete control over everything. Even sickness and death! If he can resolve such devastating events such as these -- with just the power of his word -- then how much easier is it for him to heal the various struggles that befall us every day of our lives. We need only trust Him, have faith in his promises, and know that no matter what happenes, he is in complete control.

Afterall, as he said... "Don't be afraid; just believe."

UPDATE: - (11:51 PM)
After I posted this, I decided I needed to offer a word of warning in taking this wisdom too literally. You may have heard the recent news about the parents who put their trust in the Lord to heal their dying daughter, refused her vital medical treatment (which could have saved her), and then when she died, expected God to bring her back to life.

I think it needs to be said: Yes, we should put our complete trust in the Lord, have faith, and believe that he will resolve your struggles -- just as he promises. But we need to understand that our trust also requires the wisdom God already gave us. And that is the wisdom to know that God's healing power often exists within the means and blessings of the logical world around us.

Faith is often blind, yes... but it should never be foolish. If we believe wholeheartedly in God's promises, and he offers us a set of stairs... do we still jump off the cliff and hope he catches us?

"Don't be afraid; just believe." But be open to taking the stairs too.

-Jon

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"In Honor of Mom"

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! And to my mom: thank you for 28 years of encouraging me, supporting me... and yes, scolding me when I did wrong. Your leadership (together with Dad, of course), has made me who I am today. And I am proud of who I've become.

Thank you -- with all my heart! Happy 28th Mother's Day!

-Jon

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Friday, May 09, 2008


"Friday in Review"

Awoke to discover that my computer had blown it's power supply; Quite frustrated. Went off to paint an apartment. Gave thought to alternate weekend projects (since my computer was dead and non-functioning). Came home to find that my roomate (Scott) had replaced the damaged parts. Unexpected surprise; Made my day! Took a much-needed nap. Went for an evening walk. Sitting down to watch the movie, "The Wedding Planner". Going to bed when it ends.

-Jon

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Thursday, May 08, 2008


"Ancient Theaters"

Some of the most fascinating man-made structures on earth are the massive auditoriums that were once used for theatrical performances, music shows, and violent gladiatorial contests. These awesome theatres still exist, and in some cases, remain in use today -- over 2,000 years later.

Here's a photo list of some of these ancient theatres. Take a peek, and enjoy!

-Jon

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"T-Shirt Thursday: Fruit T-Shirts"

In an effort to show off some of my popular (or new) t-shirts, artwork, and gift ideas exclusive to my online store, Jon Baas Designs, I've decided to feature a few of them here on my blog every Thursday. I call it, "T-Shirt Thursday". Feel free to comment, and enjoy!

Today's Featured Designs:
(click on each image to see available products)

Cherry T-shirtsPineapple T-shirtsBanana T-shirts

More T-shirts & Gifts: .... Fruit T-Shirts .... Occupation T-Shirts

And for those of you who like to shop, weekly sales and coupons are available on the front page of my store. Feel free to use them for special discounts!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon

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"Smells Like Morning"

I love this time of day. The sun isn't up yet, and it's still dark outside, but the air is crisp, the temperature cool, and everything smells so fresh and new.

I awoke early this morning, and have been up working on a few things already. Right now I'm going to go have something to eat and watch a movie. But later -- if the weather is as nice as it's been lately -- maybe I'll go exploring again. Sounds like fun! Smells like it'll be a good day!

-Jon

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"David Wasserman -- Tin Can Artist"

David Wasserman (1917-1999) was a graphic designer and cartoonist who experimented in his spare time with the artistic possibilities of metal collage. For more than thirty years, he nailed small pieces of tin cans, aluminum soda cans, and other metals to sheets of plywood. The results were large-scale but incredibly detailed pictures.

Since he wanted to explore all the possibilities of his chosen medium, the style of his work ranges from abstract to cartoon to realistic, and his subject matter includes famous people, powerful beasts, the depths of space, family photos, and an urban cityscape. Take a look, and enjoy!

-Jon

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008


"In Celebration Of Pixel Art"

Pixel art is a form of digital art, created through the use of graphics software, in which images are edited on the pixel level. Graphics in most old computer and video games, graphing calculator games, and many mobile phone games are mostly pixel art.

Smashing Magazine presents over 50 excellent pixel art designs, illustrations, paintings, and posters. Some of these works presented have an extremely high level of detail. So much so, that you can observe pixel art for hours, and still miss some details!

-Jon

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Friday, May 02, 2008


"Rain Cometh; Storms Predicted"

And... now it's raining outside, the drops pattering heavily upon my window(s). Scattered thunderstorms (some potentially severe) seem to be in store for us this evening, with gusty winds and small hail possible. I don't think I'll be going for a walk tonight.

UPDATE: - (7:42 PM)
Well, that was fast. The rain has stopped, and the storm is gone. Out over Lake Michigan, the sky is still dark and gloomy, as the clouds move east. But coming from the west, all I see is blue sky and patchy not-so-dark clouds. So much for a rainy evening!

-Jon

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"May Flowers"

Today is the first time this Spring that I've seen dandelions. Literally overnight, they've sprung up in my front yard -- little flowers of yellow punctuating a grassy field of green. It's kinda pretty, if you ask me. Very colorful. And a sign that winter is far behind us.

-Jon

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"Shipwrecks And Sea Disasters"

They were once proud magnificent vessels, eagerly sailing the open seas. Now they haunt the coastlines as sad empty shells, their skeletons battered by the wind and waves. Here are some amazing photos of these beautiful shipwrecks, a lonely testement to days gone by.

-Jon

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Thursday, May 01, 2008


"T-Shirt Thursday: Military T-Shirts"

In an effort to show off some of my popular (or new) t-shirts, artwork, and gift ideas exclusive to my online store, Jon Baas Designs, I've decided to feature a few of them here on my blog every Thursday. I call it, "T-Shirt Thursday". Feel free to comment, and enjoy!

Today's Featured Designs:
(click on each image to see available products)

Heroes T-shirtsYellow Ribbon T-shirtsFreedom T-shirts

More T-shirts & Gifts: .... Military T-Shirts .... Patriotic Hearts

And for those of you who like to shop, weekly sales and coupons are available on the front page of my store. Feel free to use them for special discounts!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon

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Jon Baas

Blogging Since 2002!
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USS Enterprise 1701-D
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