I Love Bagpipes

Thanks gents and ladies. :)

I didn't think of it that way Wayside. Thanks!

I'll hope to catch that--I have been reading all the links you have been supplying and I love the idea, the approach and and the spirit that conceived and and carries it out...hopefully there is always room for creative individuals to make their own way

How does it work? are the machines bought outright or are they placed and serviced? I am in an area that is progressive, artsy, funky --where people are always looking for something to add to their imaginations, I could see a bunch placed around where I live

Thanks mstar...

http://artomat.org/hosting.html

It isn't a big money maker. ;) It's more about artists getting there names out there. Sounds like you understand that; a place for expression. Patrons too get an original piece of work. :) Artists also advertise their websites on their pieces.

There is an initial investment from the host usually no less than around $2000, but that varies. There is no more cost for the machine and it is on permanent loan. The host and artomat together help maintain the mechanical working of the machine. Usually a machine is designed specifically for the host; ie: the one in my current avatar is at a gallery named SPACE; one at a local hospital has an Operation Game theme; etc. Usually the host confirms how they'd like the machine to appear/be designed. The machine itself is an artpiece. ;) The initial set up fee includes a stock of art packs to get started, usually 200 pieces.

As far as the $$ for the art: Pieces cost the public $5 each. The host gets $1.50. The artist makes $2.50. Artomat comes in making $1.00 each. I'm guessing we ship out about....2000 to 2500 pieces per month.

I think that answers your questions? Thanks for asking!

Well....at the risk of sounding like I'm bragging......umm.....that's not my intent at all....but i am proud of the work. :)

Art-o-mat (that place where I work where we move snack size art around the globe) has a clip on The Rachel Ray Show on Fox, Monday, 3/12. It will be a short clip....maybe we will get 1 to 2 minutes. :) We got a call a couple weeks ago from the producer. Part of the show that day is about stuff one can buy out of vending machines.

I just want to share the news....without sounding too excited.

It's big news for us because we literally are an underground operation :D. We (the owner and a couple part timers) work out of a basement surrounded on 3 sides by dirt.

I walk across the street from my home, walk in the basement of my neighbor's house.....and am part of this international underground "project." We have over 350 active artists from around the globe. I almost weekly email artists across the waters. We weekly get new submissions from artists around the globe to participate with Art-o-mat.

Anyway.....just wanted to let ya'll know. Sure would be nice if $$$ came with the recent publicity. :D Oh well....maybe later it will, and maybe not.

Thanks for reading this....btw.

http://artomat.org/home.html

(spammed )

cool..........

Beautiful tribute Hope. Your mom named you well....

As someone told my hubby when his dad died, "Cry hard. Laugh hard. And remember the good times..."

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family...

ILB

Thank you Acts2 and Tbone.

Yeah.. SOMEDAY! And next time he'll be walking about....and probably playing golf with some sort of holy clubs. :D

Wonder if golfers will all have perfect games in paradise? ;)

Thank you kindly for your thoughts and kind words. :)

I'm gonna meander for a moment. If anybody reads it, thanks. And if not that's okay too. It'll be a good meandering for me.

This time of year is not emotionally hard for me. Ten Februaries have passed, and I haven't really thought a lot about when Dad died. It crosses my mind, but that is about it.

A couple days ago I was communicating with someone who was telling me about their occupation in biomedical regenerative tissue research. I mentioned my dad. And then the thought hit me that he died in February. I had to pull out the memorial bulletin to find the exact date ... and the tribute I'd written for the funeral.

What does cross my mind more than occasionly are thoughts (in pictures) of my father after the accident. These thoughts usually bring tears to my eyes ... not tears of grief, but I think tears of compassion(?), victory(?), hope(?). Maybe some grief/loss for him is mixed in with that, I dunno. After the accident he engendered gratitude...and somehow that puts life in perspective?

He called himself an odd quad because his spinal cord injury (sci) was a severed cord at C4. He was told (by docs) that usually a person with a C4 sci is unable to move his/her arms. But he could lift both arms and move both wrists.

I remember when he learned to feed himself. We had this devise we velcroed around his right hand. It held a fork or a spoon. He shoveled food in using that. He enjoyed cards so we had a card holder made for him, and this other device that helped him pick up a card from the holder.

He craved independence. On most sunny days he was out and about in his wheel chair or surry cart. He would drive his wheelchair or surry around town. He carried his wallet (with enough $$ to get what he wanted) and other personals in a pouch on his wheelchair. When he arrived at his destination, he would look around and pick out someone who he thought looked trustworthy. He'd ask if this person would help him....get his wallet out of his pouch and hand to the clerk. I don't think he ever got turned down. He was never robbed nor taken advantage of.

The surry cart was a hoot. I don't know if that is what it is really called, but that is what he called it. The cart was powered by gasoline. It had 4 wheels and handle bars like a motorcycle. A ramp on the back lowered and Dad would steer his wheelchair onto the cart. He had special fingerless velcro gloves that we would velcro around the handle bars.

The surry was powered like a motorcycle in that when Dad pulled down with his right hand (velcroed to the power handle bar thingy), the surry went forward. When he pulled his wrist up, the surry stopped. The surry had a tall thin pole with an orange triangular flag on it. And Dad always wore a helmet when he drove it. (He actually should have worn the helmet when driving his wheelchair; he fell in creeks twice with his wheelchair!!) The farthest he drove that surry was about 40(?) miles. (That was a trip!! )

He came home about 5 months after the wreck. During that 5 months he was in hospitals and rehabs. One place he stayed was the SCI Unit at the V.A. Hospital in Richmond. (We used to call it quad city.) During that time (in those 5 months) a Way Corps guy visited him at that V.A. hospital. I can't remember who it was, but he was very kind. Seems like he worked in the field of artificial limbs and for some reason I'm thinking he might have been 7th(?) corps.

Okay .... done meandering. Thanks.

I reckon, at least picked up a little bit. ;)

My mum ... she's another story! (Like all of us .. !)

I wonder if she will ever kick the bucket .... she's like an energizer bunny .... keep going and going and going ......

(((Freeatlast))))

What a story. I know that wasn't easy to write and I empathize with the thankfulness in your heart.

I trust you kept those letters written to your children? I don't know their ages. Maybe someday you will be able to share those letters with them? They will be (are) encouraged by your strength, stamina, faith. That impacts more than words ever can.

I pray your other circumstances change as time moves forward.

And I hope sometime later you are able to share "the story for another time...."

All the best,

ILB

In Loving Memory

1922 - 1996

He was patient and kind, a man of his own;

who loved life to the fullest regardless of

what life sometimes dealt to him.

He loved the outdoors:

a hunter, a skier, a sailor, a golfer.

He enjoyed people

sharing his life the best he knew.

His will to live was strong.

Despite overwhelming odds he continued to strive to be his best.

We will miss him:

his smile, his laugh , his positive outlook on life, his quit wit.

Yet we well remember the joy he brought,

his example of patience and gratitude.

We will ever be thankful for the inspiration

he gave to continue to live life to the fullest;

to never give up.

february, 1996

My dad died 2/16/96.

On July 3, 1983, he was in a head-on automobile collision and lived as a quadriplegic his remaining 12-1/2 years. He was a WWII Coast Guard veteran and the VA benefits helped in the care for him after his accident. The company where my mother had worked for decades, sold us a cargo van for $1. :) We were able to convert it with a lift, etc.

Dad was able to stay home into the final year of his life. He remained active on a housing board for the local community. He was a regular feature in the community, sallying around in his wheelchair or on his surry cart. He and mom spent a lot of time at a camp ground where they had a trailer they converted to accommodate Dad. He enjoyed making people laugh .... and was good at it. He wanted people to feel at ease around him despite his disability and odd physical appearance/quirks after the wreck.

He used to let us know he was awake and ready to get up for the day by singing the old hymn "Love Lifted Me." Love literally lifted him every day.

He died in Richmond, VA, at the VA Hospital..in his sleep...during a severe snowstorm that shut down the east coast for a couple days. He chose to be cremated. His ashes rest, but his inspiration still lives.

i believe you are way more than half the man he was. i'll bet your daddy would agree....

Oenophile,

I second and third and fourth Excath.

May you cherish the good memories .... and may your faith bring you comfort and hope.

ILB

I got to thinking....I guess I should add....

This is a big deal to us because Artomat is a garage operation. We get local news around the US pretty regular, but to get unsolicited national press is a sweet thang...even if it is only online. (HA!)

The Artomat clip follows the clip about Paris banning smoking...and what to do with all those machines.

http://artomat.org/home.html

tells more of the story...if anybody be interested. And if not...that's fine too.

(Cool new "reply" button beside "quote"... thanks Paw and whomever.. :) )

Pipes that was great! I just wish i could see more of it. I kept trying to make the image bigger.

Below the "TV" screen, beside the play arrow is a button that will take it to full screen view.

Have fun. I've watched this thing about 10 times. I knew I was weird already, but 10 times!?!

hee

Hi Wendy,

You have been in my thoughts (and therefore prayers) since I read your post yesterday.

I was involved with TWI from the age of 18 until 46. My mom called around some when I got involved and then took PFAL for herself. My dad eventually took it too. Neither ever got "involved," but at least they went to the "horse's mouth" to get information. I understand you are inquiring about an offshoot, but the concept is the same.

I am not an advice giver; therefore, this is not "advice".... simply some thoughts.

You have gotten responses here leaning toward both ends of the spectrum, and some middle-of-the-road responses.

I'm a believer in gathering information, sitting with it, endeavoring to look at a situation with (as much a possible) neutrality, weighing it with what I believe and then taking a jump....all with prayer while staying in touch with my "gut."

I might consider other's advice/suggestions, but when the rubber hits the road, I endeavor to stick more with my own heart trusting God to work there and giving the outcome to Him. If I screw up (which does happen), I endeavor to admit it, correct what I can....and surrender the outcome once again.

For what it's worth, I encourage you to continue to proceed gathering info and then moving as you feel led.

Here are a couple links to a site I found within the past couple months that have helped me with cult mindset. It is one man's opinion/insight regarding cult thinking, an individual once involved with Scientology and then the anti-cult movement.

"What is a cult?": http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/cult.htm

"Mirrors": http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/mirrors.htm

And don't blame yourself for your daughter's choices; you sound like a wonderful mom who loves her daughter.

Good success to you Wendy.

ILB

PS: I left TWI 1-1/2 years ago. Both my teens (16 and 19 currently) were raised with TWI doctrine (to a point)...and they are doing very well, btw. They no longer choose to attend TWI functions. We are not "involved" with an offshoot; but have had beneficial help, encouragement, and teaching from some offshoots.

Yesterday, ABC World News Online aired a clip about Artomat (where I work a few days a week).

Artomat distributes original art from refurbished cigarette machines. One guy's whim turned into an international project.

I feel like I'm almost famous (not really)....but this is exciting for all the Artomat folk. Just thought I'd share it.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2842162

It takes a few minutes to load (or mine did)...the sound came through with no pic and then it loaded. There is a 30 second commercial and then the Artomat clip (from NYC) is about 2 minutes long.

Thank ee!!

Yup Yup...Clark is a cool guy.

And the artists are lots of fun too.

We are having a gathering in August to celebrate and I'll get to meet the artists I only know via cyber communication. Supposed to have good music and food and gallery hops!!!

Ironic that Winston-Salem is like the cigarette capitol of the US.

I think this clip is about 5 minutes....me thinks it is amazing.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=d487...52&fr=yvmtf

"if only more of us chose to use the power in our hands for such beautiful reasons, yet their are still those who just don t get it..."

I can see this as part of an Imax production with Pink Floyd music (or Secret Garden or something mesmerizing). Put some color on the sand trails.... Intersperse with a laser show....

Wow...

Just for clarification a cleanse is not homeopathy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy

Of course as with other alternative approaches, there are varying opinions to validity.

Coffee enemas? Believe it or not help stimulate the liver to produce glutithione (sp?) which helps the body dump toxins.

So rhino along with your beer cleanse...you ought help that liver out. Donchaknow?!?

Here's how:

http://www.ineedcoffee.com/01/01/enema/

Yes!!

BRAVO and good for you!!!!

Have a blast learning and loving it!

Sounds like you will be great in this field.

Hope all your family is continuing well. :)

This is where I work a few afternoons each week. :)

Pocket sized art we have.

Front page cover and feature article...we celebrate 10 years this year.

woo hoo

http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/index.html

http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/feature_two.html

Translation we have not been involved, and have no first hand experience with this group but we are an authority on what they will be like soon, and what lessons you should have learned that we assume these people are doing and have not learned. Based not on any facts so to speak but what we have decided is true (our Opinion) you need to learn the lessons that we think.

I just wanted to say thanks for that paragraph WD. (Ties into my thoughts recently regarding meself and "cultsih" mentality/mindset. ) That's a fine paragraph, imo. :) I'm outta here now...wee...

PL,

I have not read all the responses here.

I have followed your story some and recall some of your experiences in the splinter group you were involved in.

I left TWI 15 months ago after 28 years....so am recently out also.

My 2 cents? Go with Pinklady's gut.....bottom line.....it's your life, nobody elses. And avoid/be alert to (which I'm sure you are) extremist thinking....from either side. God can work anywhere, anytime, anyway He deems appropriate (regardless of the title/group/etc.) I'm a strong advocate of not throwing the baby out with the bath water....and at the same time being aware that that same baby poops and throws up all over him/herself.

I have had great help/experience with CFF though I am not "involved" with CFF. I currently don't listen to the teachings, etc., but do have a contanct with some of the people. The folks I've had contact with/help from have asked nothing in return...literally nothing.

Cost of classes? Not much, imo. Plus you can copy the syllabi and give 'em away, just don't sell 'em or change 'em. I even copied one of the classes on tape from someone else's cds and was told that's okay.

Something else that hits my mind along these lines of "cult" groups: I've recently found a site regarding cultish "mindset." The site was started by a person involved in Scientology who left Scientology realizing the cultishness, and got involved with the anti-cult movement (acm). He realized that the acm is just as much a cult as cults. Imho, I tend to agree.

Here are two links to the site, short and concise reading. If you are so inclined; it may not be appropro for you.

http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/mirrors.htm (Mirrors)

http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/cult.htm (What is a cult?) The end of this one page article states:

"The cultic mindset can also be seen in a less dramatic and more subtle enactment of the above points. Mainly through the unquestioning acceptance of authority, the dependence of a fixed pattern of thought or behavior, and a willingness to rationalize unethical behavior.

The antidote against the cultic mindset is the willingness to question any accepted ideas, a priority given to truth over personal wishes, and a refusal to justify means over ends.

--------

Bernie

The best way to beat a cult mentality, is to be aware of what a cult is, then make sure you are not part of that mentality

(Shez) "

Best of luck PL....you'll be fine.

I recently found myself burying a burden, one I felt I couldn't share with anyone.

My dearest friend lovingly and tenderly excavated my soul.

Again I was reminded of my own weakness and of hiding...from myself, from my closest companions,

from my God before whom all is open and naked.

I know why we hide, and I look forward to the day when we no longer feel we need to do so.

One of the things that has occurred to me since leaving the way is that if you don't know the name or word for something, it is very hard to call it real. In leaving the way, people have to start using a vocabulary they never either ha or cared to entertain becasue some a** told them those were "bad/evil/negative" things.

If I don't have the word and concept for manipulate prior to entering a cult...it will be extremely difficult for me to identify it.

"Very hard to call it real": That rings clear to moi!

And if one is raised within manipulation (within his/her family setting) it is even harder to identify? At least until that manipulation has been exposed.