What a song:
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Icons
Photographed at the White House, 1984. From the National Archives.
Consider this photo . . . here is Michael Jackson at age 26. Look at his outfit! It's both ridiculous and spectacular. He is at the White House with the President of the United States. Reagan understood and revered show business and it's obvious that the President had reverence for this very young man. Jackson's confidence and sheer gall are something to behold. What a unique man he was. What unique men they both were--two men who defined their times.
Michael Jackson
I saw a posting on Facebook, Michael Jackson was dead. Was it a rumor? Different news organizations were reporting different things. About an hour later it was confirmed, he was gone.
My first reaction was muted—he hasn’t looked so great in years. He had become very hard to like. This was big news, but not necessarily surprising. Michael was a tortured man, unable to fit in. With his death though I was left with his legacy: the music and performances that he left behind in recordings.
Michael Jackson, part of the soundtrack of our lives, an icon.
I thought of “Thriller," then watched the full 13 minute video on You Tube.
Wow. He could dance!
It was the end of the day so I took Jake to the beach. I have the Internet but no broadcast TV or radio in the Airstream. In my truck I listened to reports from CNN and NPR. A local San Diego station was playing a tribute series of his songs.
I found myself surprisingly moved by his music, moved to tears. Here was a guy I hadn’t thought much about in years. When I had, the thoughts were of pity and disgust. Yet he was so talented, so much bigger than life. At his best he represented the best of life: passionate, driven, purposeful.
Michael Jackson, dead at 50. He was so blessed with talent, and we are blessed that he shared his immense gift with us.
My first reaction was muted—he hasn’t looked so great in years. He had become very hard to like. This was big news, but not necessarily surprising. Michael was a tortured man, unable to fit in. With his death though I was left with his legacy: the music and performances that he left behind in recordings.
Michael Jackson, part of the soundtrack of our lives, an icon.
I thought of “Thriller," then watched the full 13 minute video on You Tube.
Wow. He could dance!
It was the end of the day so I took Jake to the beach. I have the Internet but no broadcast TV or radio in the Airstream. In my truck I listened to reports from CNN and NPR. A local San Diego station was playing a tribute series of his songs.
I found myself surprisingly moved by his music, moved to tears. Here was a guy I hadn’t thought much about in years. When I had, the thoughts were of pity and disgust. Yet he was so talented, so much bigger than life. At his best he represented the best of life: passionate, driven, purposeful.
Michael Jackson, dead at 50. He was so blessed with talent, and we are blessed that he shared his immense gift with us.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Update from San Diego
Jake and I have been in San Diego for 15 days now. It's been an adjustment.
Dog Beach at San Diego’s Ocean Beach is one of our favorite spots. We're living 27 miles east of the Pacific, and have found some spectacular hiking in the mountains nearby our new homestead as well.
Work is going well. I am here on a writing assignment, one that will hopefully last for a while.
Writing and living in an Airstream is a whole different experience than traipsing around the continent selling meteorites. It's a MUCH more solitary existence.
Work, yoga, and getting Jake out sums up my current routine. It's not super exciting, but not bad either. Of course there is the excitement and strangeness of being in a new town.
San Diego is gorgeous. Jake and I are both psyched to be missing a Sonoran summer. Last summer about did us in.
I've also discovered Facebook--where I've wasted a lot of my spare time lately. The good part of it is that it provides a way to stay in contact with close friends who are geographically dispersed. The bad part? My new found Facebook Scrabble addiction is one example. Luckily it's an addiction that's already ebbed considerably.
Doing many more updates on Facebook these days than updates here. My most recent Facebook post is recreated below--on D-Day.
Cheers from San Diego County,
Jim and Jake
Dog Beach at San Diego’s Ocean Beach is one of our favorite spots. We're living 27 miles east of the Pacific, and have found some spectacular hiking in the mountains nearby our new homestead as well.
Work is going well. I am here on a writing assignment, one that will hopefully last for a while.
Writing and living in an Airstream is a whole different experience than traipsing around the continent selling meteorites. It's a MUCH more solitary existence.
Work, yoga, and getting Jake out sums up my current routine. It's not super exciting, but not bad either. Of course there is the excitement and strangeness of being in a new town.
San Diego is gorgeous. Jake and I are both psyched to be missing a Sonoran summer. Last summer about did us in.
I've also discovered Facebook--where I've wasted a lot of my spare time lately. The good part of it is that it provides a way to stay in contact with close friends who are geographically dispersed. The bad part? My new found Facebook Scrabble addiction is one example. Luckily it's an addiction that's already ebbed considerably.
Doing many more updates on Facebook these days than updates here. My most recent Facebook post is recreated below--on D-Day.
Cheers from San Diego County,
Jim and Jake
Saturday, June 06, 2009
D-Day +65
Members of an American landing party lend helping hands to other members of their organization whose landing craft was sunk by enemy action off the coast of France. These survivors reached Omaha Beach by using a life raft.
-Photo by Weintraub, 6 June 1944
"What we must not forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century."
-Barack Obama, 6 June 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Brendan Heath of One Earth Recycling
A recycling innovator, Brendan Heath manages an upscale recyling kiosk at the Torrey Hills Center in Del Mar, California. Heath is taking a stand for less waste at our landfills.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Windmills: The sentries of San Diego County
These 21st century sentries stand guard in the mountains above San Diego greeting travelers from the East. Our culture demands energy--driving the economy, and delivering the comforts of contemporary living. Clean energy from wind, solar, and other non-traditional sources is an important alternative to carbon generating coal-powered electricity plants. Coal power is currently the number one source of electricity in the U.S.
Reducing my carbon footprint
My restored 1973 Airstream--home for over two years now. Living in a space with less than 200 square feet requires far less energy to heat and cool. The tiny space requires less cleaning materials and demands the accumulation of less stuff. The Airstream also took less materials to build than a traditional home. Re-using an older trailer cut down on the demand for new materials. My Dodge diesel truck gets about the same mileage as my previous car, a Subaru, and I drive about the same number of miles as I did when living a more traditional life--though my goal is to drive even less.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Meteorite Men premiere
With Geoffrey Notkin just after his new show Meteorite Men premiered on the Discovery Science Channel. This is one of the two Brenham meteorites they found while filming in Kansas. This meteorite has olivine (peridot) gems in it.Photographed in Tucson, Arizona on May 10, 2009.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Working harder than I've ever worked before . . .
The tractor-trailer arrived at about 6:30 AM at our Sonoran Desert ranch—loaded with 22+ tons of Kansas hay. Each bale weighed an average of 75 pounds, over 600 bales in all. The goal was to start early, before the heat set in. We began.
At a rate of 35 to 50 bales at a time, we loaded a pickup truck, backed the truck into the stable area, unloaded and restacked. One bale at a time the work proceeded.
By about 9 AM the pace slowed markedly as the heat set in. We pressed on. I’d climb up on the giant flatbed filled with hay, toss bales down to the crew in the back of the pickup. They’d pack and stack. We’d back the truck 350 feet to the covered hay area (a roof on poles blocks the sun and the rare rains). Our pile grew to be about ten or twelve layers high. The photo ops were epic, Jerry Jackson in his cowboy boots perched on top of the towering stack—behind him a Sonoran blue sky and the Phoenix mountains, covered in cacti and rock.
We began to stumble and fall in the holes between the bales as we worked to lift the buggers in to their pile.
We drank copious amounts of fluids—I had at least five to seven liters of water and didn’t take a single bathroom break. And on we went.
By 10:30 or so, the heat and the work were really taking a toll. I took on the work with a determined intensity, and though it didn’t look like it, I enjoyed it.
By the end our pace was comically slow. The temperature hit a hundred—six hours of non-stop hard labor pushed us to our limits.
I am the Monica Seles of physical labor, grunting and swearing as I lifted yet another bale.
The youngest member of the team, a 24 year old, hit the wall a good hour before the end.
It was down to me and two fifty-somethings who were work horses.
Straining, sweating, and panting we plowed on to the end.
I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever worked this hard.
No matter how much I drank I sweated and breathed out huge quantities of fluids. I am still dehydrated almost 24 hours later. I was spent, but my spirit was strengthened from the efforts.
The hay is unloaded—enough to last until about September, when it will be even hotter in Phoenix. This was the biggest load ever received at this particular ranch. I am betting the September load won't be as big.
At a rate of 35 to 50 bales at a time, we loaded a pickup truck, backed the truck into the stable area, unloaded and restacked. One bale at a time the work proceeded.
By about 9 AM the pace slowed markedly as the heat set in. We pressed on. I’d climb up on the giant flatbed filled with hay, toss bales down to the crew in the back of the pickup. They’d pack and stack. We’d back the truck 350 feet to the covered hay area (a roof on poles blocks the sun and the rare rains). Our pile grew to be about ten or twelve layers high. The photo ops were epic, Jerry Jackson in his cowboy boots perched on top of the towering stack—behind him a Sonoran blue sky and the Phoenix mountains, covered in cacti and rock.
We began to stumble and fall in the holes between the bales as we worked to lift the buggers in to their pile.
We drank copious amounts of fluids—I had at least five to seven liters of water and didn’t take a single bathroom break. And on we went.
By 10:30 or so, the heat and the work were really taking a toll. I took on the work with a determined intensity, and though it didn’t look like it, I enjoyed it.
By the end our pace was comically slow. The temperature hit a hundred—six hours of non-stop hard labor pushed us to our limits.
I am the Monica Seles of physical labor, grunting and swearing as I lifted yet another bale.
The youngest member of the team, a 24 year old, hit the wall a good hour before the end.
It was down to me and two fifty-somethings who were work horses.
Straining, sweating, and panting we plowed on to the end.
I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever worked this hard.
No matter how much I drank I sweated and breathed out huge quantities of fluids. I am still dehydrated almost 24 hours later. I was spent, but my spirit was strengthened from the efforts.
The hay is unloaded—enough to last until about September, when it will be even hotter in Phoenix. This was the biggest load ever received at this particular ranch. I am betting the September load won't be as big.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Bob Bullock ponders the work of Chihuly
The art of Dale Chihuly, at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix.Boat with glass in desert, and more color
The art of Dale Chihuly, at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix.
Dale Chihuly's exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix
The Sonoran Desert is a magical place. The glass art of Dale Chihuly is a testament to the creativity of man. The combination of the two is breathtaking.
The scale of the exhibit was as impressive as each component. Pieces were strategically placed throughout the gardens. The effect went beyond whimsical fun to a level of artistry rarely seen. Dale Chihuly is one of the greats of our times. It is easy to see why his work has mass appeal.
As amazing as Chihuly’s work is, it pales next to nature itself. I saw an artichoke in full bloom, and that was the best art of the day. Nothing tops the beauty of nature, but Chihuly proved himself a maestro at enhancing it.
Jim Breitinger
The scale of the exhibit was as impressive as each component. Pieces were strategically placed throughout the gardens. The effect went beyond whimsical fun to a level of artistry rarely seen. Dale Chihuly is one of the greats of our times. It is easy to see why his work has mass appeal.
As amazing as Chihuly’s work is, it pales next to nature itself. I saw an artichoke in full bloom, and that was the best art of the day. Nothing tops the beauty of nature, but Chihuly proved himself a maestro at enhancing it.
Jim Breitinger
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
32.3 pound Campo del Cielo meteorite
Weighing in at 32.3 pounds (14.655 kilograms) this is the largest meteorite to date offered by Utahredrock. This meteorite originated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and was recovered from northern Argentina where it collided with our planet about 5,000 years ago. Campo del Cielo translates as field of the skies. Campo meteorites are the most affordable of the iron-nickel meteorites on the market today purely due to supply and demand--many Campos have been recovered from the field in the past five to ten years making them more readily available than any other iron-nickel meteorite. Other iron-nickel meteorites with similar total known weight include Arizona's Canyon Diablo and Russia's Sikhote-alin. The Arizona and Russian meteorites, which are of similar composition as the Campos, regularly sell for $1 to $2 per gram. Unique pieces can go for much more. The supply of fresh Campos, however, is drying up and high quality Campos like this one will be appreciating in value in the near future--even in a tough economy there is just so much of this material and it is likely to hold its value.
This large gem from space is available for $1,975 (13.47 cents per gram).
Utahredrock guarantees the authenticity of all meteorites sold. We have dozens of different types of meteorites available. You can own a bit of outer space for as little as $10.
The Dusty Boots Benefit Show
Thanks to everyone for making the Dusty Boots Benefit this past weekend a success. The show was held in north Phoenix to benefit Dusty Boots Riding Therapy, a Phoenix based non-profit.
“Dusty hands, dusty faces, dusty grins, dusty boots …
there’s magic in the dust … come take a ride”
Why Riding Therapy?
A horse’s rhythmic movements helps strengthen the rider’s “whole self”, which results in improved balance and posture. Motor skills, hand/eye coordination and interactive abilities improve; in addition, there is a sense of empowerment and independence along with a higher degree of self esteem.
The use of horses has gained increased interest in the world of psychotherapy. Those who are familiar with horses have always acknowledged their power to influence people in amazing ways. Horses have the ability to mirror what the human body language tells them. Accomplishing a task involving a horse increases confidence and provides wonderful metaphors when dealing with other challenging situations in life.
What does Dusty Boots offer?
- Therapeutic Riding Programs
- Equine Assisted Therapy
- Riding Lessons
- Team Building Sessions
- Special Olympics Involvement
- Scout Badge Certification
Saturday, April 11, 2009
America's Outback
A must read story on southern Utah . . . the greatest place on earth:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/travel/12outback.html?em
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/travel/12outback.html?em
Monday, April 06, 2009
Wikimania for VVS
Ten things you may not know about Wikipedia.
"Know it All," The New Yorker, July 31, 2006.
"The Hive," The Atlantic Monthly, September 2006.
"Wikipedia: Exploring Fact City," The New York Times, March 28, 2009.
"Wikipedia," the current version of Wikipedia's article on itself.
Wiki-policy: What Wikipedia is not.
Wiki-policy: Ignore all rules. "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining Wikipedia, ignore it."
Wiki-policy: Notability.
The article on Lolo Soetoro.
"Know it All," The New Yorker, July 31, 2006.
"The Hive," The Atlantic Monthly, September 2006.
"Wikipedia: Exploring Fact City," The New York Times, March 28, 2009.
"Wikipedia," the current version of Wikipedia's article on itself.
Wiki-policy: What Wikipedia is not.
Wiki-policy: Ignore all rules. "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining Wikipedia, ignore it."
Wiki-policy: Notability.
The article on Lolo Soetoro.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Arizona's Meteor Crater--at Canyon Diablo
One of Arizona's great wonders is Meteor Crater between Flagstaff and Winslow. This is a 1941 illustration of the first confirmed meteorite impact site on the planet. This hole in the ground is a powerful testament to what happens when a rock from space collides with the earth.
We will be offering a limited supply of Arizona's Canyon Diablo meteorites at the Dusty Boots Benefit. As well as other gems from space--rocks that are as old and older than the earth itself!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Celebrating Spring's imminent arrival
The Celebration of Spring show at Jennifer Johnson's is a wrap.
Thanks EVERYONE for making this such a great show. Jennifer's house was transformed into Salt Lake's finest gallery. Kellie and her pieces shined bright. The rocks from space rocked the capital of Zion. Jake the dog only escaped once . . . Amy, Ron, and other featured artists prove the endless ingenuity of the American people. Jennifer's house was and is glorious, and the majestically snow covered Wasatch towered above it all.
Thanks EVERYONE for making this such a great show. Jennifer's house was transformed into Salt Lake's finest gallery. Kellie and her pieces shined bright. The rocks from space rocked the capital of Zion. Jake the dog only escaped once . . . Amy, Ron, and other featured artists prove the endless ingenuity of the American people. Jennifer's house was and is glorious, and the majestically snow covered Wasatch towered above it all.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A note on meteorites
This weekend's show includes a large selection of meteorites. These rocks from space serve as powerful and tangible samples of the building blocks of our solar system. Meteorites are billions of years old, and some are over 4.5 billion years old, dating back to the birth of our solar system. We are offering a wide array of meteorites at many prices starting at $5 and up to $2,000.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Natural American Turquoise--Nevada
Beautiful turquoise pendant by Lebe Loola, SOLD--however, we have many other beautiful pieces by Lebe Loola. Support Dusty Boots, as well as Amy of Lebe Loola, a modern American woman with amazing talent who is currenlty supporting herself through nursing school.
The Buddhist Collection at Utahredrock
Large wooden Buddha SOLD, gold Buddhist monk $125, Buddha heads carved from stone $35.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Arizona (and German) meteorite hunters descend on West, Texas
Famed Arizona meteorite hunters Michael Farmer, Robert Ward, and Shauna Russell were present as their colleague Moritz Karl of Germany found one of the first pieces of last Sunday's meteorite fall near the town of West, Texas. The meteorite appears to be a chondrite, the most common type of rock from outer space. I met three of the four meteorite hunters in Tucson this past week. Good work folks!
Here's a link to one story on the hunt that is underway (with photos): http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/02/19/02192009wacmeteorhunters.html
Here's a link to one story on the hunt that is underway (with photos): http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/02/19/02192009wacmeteorhunters.html
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Esquel meteorite pendant
Designed by Michigan's Amy Sorensen of Lebe Loola, this unique pendant is from out of this world. The pendant contains a thin slice of the highly sought after Esquel pallasite meteorite. Pallasites are very rare and contain olivine crystals--actual gems from outer space.
Spring 2009 Update:
This pendant SOLD, however, if you would like something similar, please call me at 928.300.8010.
Photos by Geoffrey Notkin of Aerolite Meteorites.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
With one of my big meteorites
Here I am with a 27 pound meteorite I sold at the 2009 Tucson Gem Show. Photo by Rich Luhr of Airstream Life.
The redoubtable Anne Black
Impactika's Anne Black at her store at the Tucson Gem Show, 2009--Room 230 at the Inne Suites. Anne, as well as Notkin (see below) are major figures in the international meteorite community. The two of them have made significant contributions to the field of meteoritics. Be sure to visit Anne's web site--the link is on the right side of this page.
The Portraits of Arizona Series, by Utahredrock, 2009.
Geoffrey Notkin of Aerolite Meteorites
World famous meteorite hunter Geoffrey Notkin, and one half of the infamous Meteorite Men duo, at his shop at the Tucson Gem Show, February 2009, Room 230, The Inn Suites. Be sure to visit Geoffrey's web site--Aerolite Meteorites. Link is on the right side of this page.
The Portraits of Arizona Series, by Utahredrock, 2009.
Spirit
Spirit Davis, one of the world's greatest women, at Tucson's Electric Park.
The Portraits of Arizona Series, by Utahredrock, 2009.
A Tucson legend
Working a deal, Tucson Gem Show legend Zee Haag at the 2009 show--Tucson's Electric Park.
The Portraits of Arizona Series, by Utahredrock, 2009.
Blue Rocketeers Jim and Bettie
They live in the Blue Rocket--a school bus converted in to a home. They are musicians, artists, fellow travelers, and friends from Tucson's 2009 gem show.
The Portraits of Arizona Series, by Utahredrock, 2009.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Experience the electricity of outer space in Electric Park
I am selling meteorites at Electric Park in Tucson through February 15th. The Tucson Gem Show is the largest gem show on the planet.
The Tucson Show is where my participation in the world of meteorites, gems, and minerals began two years ago and this is my first time back. Today I took the day to explore some of the other shows and reconnect with other dealers I know. The scope of the Tucson gem show is hard to imagine and impossible to describe. There are so many shows in town, so many dealers, so much inventory . . . it's crazy--in a very good way. There is nothing else like the Tucson show(s) in the world.
The Tucson Show is where my participation in the world of meteorites, gems, and minerals began two years ago and this is my first time back. Today I took the day to explore some of the other shows and reconnect with other dealers I know. The scope of the Tucson gem show is hard to imagine and impossible to describe. There are so many shows in town, so many dealers, so much inventory . . . it's crazy--in a very good way. There is nothing else like the Tucson show(s) in the world.
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