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STRATEGY FOR THE DAY: get real, if possible

Just returned from an overnight trip to Ventura, California where I went to see the annual Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights. The local boat owners deck the sails (and the stern and the bow, the spinnaker, the mast, the yardarm, the foc'sle, the back'sle, and anything else they can think of with multitudes upon multitudes of sparkling christmas lights, illuminated snowmen, reindeer, waving santas, and sugar-plum fairies. Then, as soon as night falls, they begin to motor slowly around the harbor, blasting Christmas carols on 1000-watt sound systems and drinking a lot of eggnog. The effect, for those of us lined up on the breakwaters, piers, and jetties, is beautifully bizarre. There's something about the contrast between the pitchblack water and the bobbing, glowing, luminescent garlands that makes it all seem like a bright, shimmering mirage.

I think boat owners, in general, are a somewhat non-conformist lot and the boat parade brings out their truly creative side. My favorite was a smallish sailboat. The captain had turned the entire mast into an enormous candy cane, then doused all the lights on the boat deck. The effect was of a giant, upright, red-and-white stick of candy gliding smoothly and soundlessly across the water. Weird. I understand that in past years, there was a group called the Dinghy Drill Team that performed synchronized rowing maneauvers. Sorry I missed that! I still haven't figured out how the kayak-ers were powering their lights!

Before I headed back to LA, I stopped in at the Ventura Street Fair and bought a couple last minute gifts. Wandered around and saw lots of interesting ceramics, jewelry, and hand knitted scarves. When I got back to my car, I noticed someone had papered most of the car-park with flyers. I'm always annoyed by that; it wastes paper and therefore perfectly good trees. And I am simply not going to have my car detailed for $150 or hire a lawn service or tree trimmer just because his phone number was stuffed under my windshield wiper. Ah but, dear reader, this flyer was different. THIS flyer was truly exciting. It introduced me to "Abstract Turtle Art." Yes, original artworks by "professional turtle artists," Jack and Jack II. You can check out their work for yourself at Abstract Turtle Art. I did and was impressed with their unique approach to brushwork, their undeniable sincerity and originality, and their attractive glass bowl. Paintings like "Spring Mist," "Blue Lagoon," and "Fireball" have a certain je ne sais quoi that is very fresh and appealing. I suspect their quiet, unassuming personalities mask a volcanic passion. Check it out for yourself and see if you don't agree.

G'night.

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Read A Brief History Of Love Songs by Robin Frederick at the Sound Experience Music web site.

Copyright 2004 Robin Frederick. All rights reserved.