I'll be keeping my personal stuff here... and the miniature stuff will be on
http://jestersminiaturestudios.blogspot.com/
So come check that out if you're interested.

Old stuff...

So, as I paint up miniatures, and get back into the swing of things I go looking for old stuff on my various flash drives.  Found this one just the other day.  It was from the front page of the old Jester's Minatures Studios website.  Some of my best work represented there.

I've been asked, what happened?  Easy enough to answer:  burnout.  I was completely shot.  Non-stop painting of miniatures from 2004 - 2007 pretty much took its toll, so that by 2008 I hung it all up.

Now I'm back at it.  Slowly.  I get just a few precious hours to devote to painting a week, and I have to pick and chose if I'm even going to paint.  My family comes first, and then my art(s).  Which art?  Well, I'd be lying if I said that Shoshin Ryu Jujitsu isn't my  #1 art.  Then #2 would be mini painting.

I'll make the time... besides, as I get things done, I'll be selling a few select pieces on eBay.

Later! 

~ Robert

Managing the small stuff...

I hate the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff..." when served up to you with some lame excuse as to why the small stuff wasn't taken care of. The details do matter, and sometimes we overlook those minute details that can be the difference between success and failure or even mean something to someone other than ourselves.

So, keep in mind the small stuff. If it becomes important, well, then make time for it. You might be surprised.

What's all this? Just my thinking. I'm out of jujitsu for the next 3 - 6 weeks and I'm already feeling the pain of forced inactivity. It has allowed me to start walking again now that the weather has turned here in Minnesota. That' nice...

Bah! I've trained when I'm hurt, but this isn't just a hurt, it is an injury. So it needs time to heal. And then I'll be right back at it. Just don't step in front of my while I'm practicing my tonfa sitting in that chair.

Take care and talk to you all soon...

Winning

As Charlie Sheen has ranted, "Winning" is a much better state to be in.  After seeing a MD for my back yesterday, I was very relieved to hear the words "not a herniated disc".  Trust me, after suffering what I went thru in 2006 and 2007 I wouldn't want anyone to hurt like that.

I was awake and nervous Wednesday night as I was thinking about my back...

However, I'm injured.  But injuries do heal.  Time marches on... and soon I'll be back at it.

Ah craptastic!!!

Ok, so this hurts.  Either I seriously tweeked my back during jujitsu OR I seriously gave myself a hip pointer, which in turn tweeked my back. 

Irregardless, it hurts and stiff and sore.   So, off to an Ortho/Sports doctor tomorrow.  Figured it was about time I looked into one since I'm more active and hopefully he can help with future back issues.

Anyway, I'm bummed...

The coming of spring...

Ah, I've now seen the first sign of spring in Minnesota.  Not the melting snow, piles of dirt-snow, the lessening of the ice, or the emergence of ginormous potholes... No, I'm speaking about inappropriate dressing.

While at Ridgedale Mall, I spotted a size 16 ass shoved into a pair of size 6 jean shorts.  Really?

So, after regurgitating my lunch in the nearest trash receptacle.  I felt a lightening of the spirit knowing that warmer days are ahead.

That, and Twins baseball opens tomorrow!!!  Go Twinkies!!!

Simple Pleasures

It really is the small things we take for granted.  And the old line of "you don't know what you've got til its gone" is so apt.

So slow down once in a while.  Enjoy life.  See if you can find something that you take for granted and make it precious again.

That's all...

Minnesota

Ah weather... I think most Minnesotans bitch about this more than politics, taxes, the various failures of our sports teams and road construction combined.  My take on it is that if I'm that god-damned tired of the snow, I'll leave the state.

So far, I'm good.  A snowblower is definitely on the list of soon-to-be-acquired items.  I'm a bit too old, and I'd like to save my back for other things, than to throw it out shoveling my driveway any longer.

 

St. Patrick's Day...

Anyway, in honor of getting drunk, here's an image of Tim and I from last year's Ren Fest.

Not to mention we also have swords and some really tight tights...

A weighty matter... off my gut!!!

So, if you look at the July 2009 post, I talked about my weight.  What occurred between then and now is a startling transformation.  Along came Christmas of 2009 and getting on the scale, I topped out at around 266-270 lbs.  NOT a good weight.

Since January of 2007 my son Morgan has been involved with Shoshin Ryu, and subsequently my whole family.  I promised Morgan when he got to age 13, it was time to transfer to the adult level of classes and that I would join him.  So, in January of 2010 I did.  That summer saw me change my eating habits, exercise habits and general health. 

Right now, I am keeping my weight at 212-214 lbs, I've trimmed approximately 7 inches off my waistline, and just last month I was awarded the rank of blue belt in Shoshin Ryu (I achieved yellow belt in July of 2010).  Needless to say, I look good and I feel great.  See the photo below...

Now this summer, I'll be working harder to keep in shape and improve on some areas.

Restart

Okay, so I haven't exactly done anything to this blog in two years.  Uff da!  Well, time for that to change.  I've got a lot on my mind at times, and I think I'll share as I go along...

Mostly, I'm going to be taking up my brushes and painting miniatures again.  For some, I hope this is inspirational.  For others, go to hell.  This is my life, my work, and I didn't exactly invite you.

Anyway, I'll post more soon.

Jester