BOY IN CHAIR.

Cross-legged blond
lounged in coffee chair comfort
scribbling with a finger on tablet.
sunlight drafting through windows

a February afternoon
three groups of solitaries.
Blond boy, leg-crossed artist;
a blonde woman on business;

an Irish Viking, long descendant
of Porthos; iced coffee and
punk stickers on laptop,
buried in something digital.

a cross-legged boy blond,
drawing oblivious,
a one-two punch of soul and Lilith
Fair soundtracking.

a fair-headed boy squirming
an athletic ballet of gestural
art-making and focused
purpose.

"I made a mistake!"
     he says, tears welling.
"I used purple instead of blue!"

It's digital,
I say.
Press Undo.

YIDDISH SCHOOL UNION.

Our six year old son. Up since before 6am working on one of his newest interests: learning Hebrew. Currently writing out the alphabet, wondering if he should include Yiddish pronunciations. Sometimes I'm kinda fond of this fellow. And I have learned so much from children. I didn't necessarily see this coming. Mazel tov, und Shabbat shalom! ____ #hebrew #yiddish #israel #michaelchabon #homeschool #44children #44artinprocess

A post shared by Joseph Long (@josephivanlong) on Jun 10, 2017 at 12:05pm PDT

VACCINATIONS.

I've listened to some good tunes today. Started with Tchaikovsky, then Charlie Parker, The Strokes in the afternoon, Vaccines driving - LOVE not only their most recent LP, but the rest of their back catalog as well. But when I was outside earlier tonight, sprawled on ground, watching the muscular moon bully its way through clouds, I had to close the day out with Colin Stetson's To See More Light. The incredible saxophonist's 15-minute opus is just stunning in its ferocity and beauty. My favourite memory of listening to it is still a December evening a while back, with @jem_long from a high-up hotel, watching the outside unfold from within. But this was a good moment too. @wandervogelsoul you must hear on proper listening device. You will love it. Or you will not. No in between. Happy weekend, all :) ____ #44artinprocess #colinstetson

A photo posted by Joseph Long (@josephivanlong) on May 21, 2016 at 12:19am PDT

HONEST COMPLIMENT OF THE MORNING.

Hey!
he exclaimed incredulously.
I didn't know you started growing white hairs in your beard!!

Yep.
I said smugly.
Takes a long time to learn how to grow them.

THE CANOEIST (stop motion LEGO).

The kids and I made this this evening. It is about a brave canoeist who helps out a terrible RV driver.

IN WHICH OUR PIONEERING SOULS SEARCH FOR THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS.

His sister found us a prime piece of real estate overlooking Pioneer Square to watch the Christmas Tuba Concert.

As people crowded in and swarmed around, he pulled out paper and pen,
and began frenetically designing signs & posters;
the most memorable of which said the following,* printed in bold letters:

"Give Me Money"

As he held up the sign, and waved it around, I shook my head,
simultaneously impressed with the bold entrepreneurial spirit...

...and trying desperately not to make eye contact with anyone.
The tubas were great. Don't miss it next year, Northwest peeps.
____

*assisted with the spelling by his collaborative partner & sister

____

These lovely ladies have been spreading holiday cheer in downtown for a while - we ran into them initially a couple years ago (see: IG post from 104 weeks ago) while they were passing out treats to people big and little. It's amazing what a difference brief little interactions with strangers who are pleasant, kind, and wanting to pass along some good vibes can have on the world. Thanks again! ____ #allthepeopleinalltheworld #pdx #portland #portlandsw #44portland #longholiday2014

A photo posted by Joseph Long (@josephivanlong) on Dec 13, 2014 at 8:54pm PST

December 13th. In which we listen to 289 tubas simultaneously play Christmas music, hang out with friends and family and friendly strangers for several hours, and snap another family selfie. :) Also, our son drew up a sign on which he wrote "Give Me Money." And held up for people to see. His idea. I have no words. ____ #longx4 #long2014 #longholiday2014 #portlandsw #44portland #44swords #selfportrait #pioneersquare

A photo posted by Joseph Long (@josephivanlong) on Dec 13, 2014 at 10:48pm PST

HOMAGE TO FRANK GEHRY.

The "process of creativity" is pretty simple most of the time:

1. combine a couple things in a way nobody else has thought of
2. do it with thoughtfulness, focus, and attention to detail
3. turn would-be mistakes into unique attributes
4. keep going

This is a "...giant sculpture for people to go inside of."

I dig it, and I think that possibly Frank Gehry might as well. Or maybe he wouldn't. I haven't talked to him about it.

BARGAIN BASEMENT ART.

Daddy?
he asked.
Did you know I'm a famous artist?

Really?
I said.
I hadn't realised your work was that widely accessible yet! Tell me about it.

Yeah.
he said.
You can buy one of my drawings for two thousand dollars.

Really!
I said, genuinely surprised.
I was not aware you had that kind of cash flow going. How much did you say they're going for?

Remember?!
he exclaimed.
I'm a famous artist and you can buy my drawings for two thousand dollars!

he paused.

I will sell YOU one for...two hundred and fifty dollars.

Actually,
I said.
I would like a better markdown than that, considering you're using my pen. Also, you're not paying rent.

Oh.
he said.
I guess you can buy one for...three dollars.

Alright.
I said.
But it's going into your college fund. You may be famous, but you're still going to university...

...maybe.
I added under my breath.
Depending on how many of these you sell at two grand a whack.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:
This is tonight's interpretation of the Biblical tale of
David and Goliath, in which the shepherd boy has his slingshot swapped out for a sword and shield because "...they're better weapons."*
Also, that is a dragon flying above them.

I kinda love this kid.

*he did listen attentively while I read aloud the opening chapter of Malcolm Gladwell's David & Goliath, but I don't think he completely understood the point Mr. Gladwell was making about David actually having the superior weaponry.

RIFLES FOR WAITING.

We would not buy him a rifle,
so he is building one. 

MAKER BOT HUMAN.

"I'm making presents for my friends."

HERE IS YOUR DAILY DEFINITION OF PARADOX.

My son drawing picture of a cyclops with twenty-six eyes.

(file under: Things that Mythology Nerds Find Funny)

SAUL WILLIAMS AND REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. | THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE TO REDIRECT ANY TRUTH.

There are two monologues that give me goosebumps. Every time. One is a speech: Dr. King's I Have a Dream; an oration that has rightfully achieved a place in history for both delivery and content. The other is a song. Saul Williams' Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare); a work of poetry and mishmash of stripped-down hip hop and dense, swaggering punk against the historical backdrop of the Bard's Brutus & company. Where MLK's Dream was a resolute call to action with all the power of fiery Moses prevailing upon the world to hold hands in solidarity against tyranny, Act III is a resolute call to action with the finger-pointing, fist-raising righteous fury of those who see a dream beyond world-veneering hypocrisy and apathy. It is a shout-out.

I am 36 years old and I still get goosebumps about a lot of things (to start: Amelie, Arcade Fire's Funeral, breakdancing in general, Barry Sanders highlight clips). My eyes are open, my intellect is busy, my experiences are many, but I still have the innocent enthusiasm and curiosity of childhood. Innocence in the sense that I don't need to know all the answers, but I need to know and believe better things are possible. Sometimes I may inspire, sometimes I still need to be inspired.

Today, we had a number of recurring conversations about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, race, and justice as we watched archival speeches on YouTube, including his 17-minute Dream classic. Magdelana had a number of insightful questions and commentary. Johannes's questions were of the following variety:

Was Martin Luther King not very nice?

- He was nice…

Oh. Darth Vader is not very nice. Sometimes he was nice, sometimes he was not nice.

- I suppose that is correct.

Did Martin Luther King fight?

- Yes, he did fight, but he -

Johannes interrupts.

Did he fight with a sword?

- Umm, no.

Did he fight with a spear?

- Uhh, no. He did not fight with a sword, or a spear. And to preempt your next question, no, he also did not fight with a gun.

Did he fight with a gun?

- No.

Magdelana lifts her head up from drawing:

Johannes, he fought with LOVE.

Yeah, I guess that's what I want our kids to go out into the world with. Love. Enthusiasm. A cynicism-battling naiveté about the world and its worst, coupled with an energetic desire to highlight what is good and to make it better. To get rid of the bad stuff by first focusing on what is good, then on what needs to change. A willingness to become producers and changers, not just consumers and accepters.

So thanks, Dr. King and Saul Williams, for being agitators. Agitators and inspirers. Our dreams will become more than a fable.

excerpt from Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare)

Your freedom ain't so free, it's just loose
But the power of your voice could redirect any truth
Shift and shape the world you want
And keep your fears in a noose
Let them dangle from a banner star spangled
I'm willing and able
To lift my dreams up out of their cradle
Nurse and nurture my ideals
'Til they're much more than a fable
I can be all I can be and do much more than I'm paid to
And I won't be a slave toWhat authorities say do
My desire to live within a nation on fire
Where creative passions burn and raise the stakes ever higher

2013.01.21 / Johannes "Martin Luther King" 


2013.01.21 / Magdelana "Martin Luther King" - she was particularly intrigued by the references to mountains in his speech

Saul Williams
Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare)
Saul Williams
2004