Celebrations And Solstice

I am oftentimes the first adult that one of my high school art students comes out to. Boys, girls, non-binary or transgender, gay, lesbian or bisexual… I’ve heard and seen it all. Every person’s story, truth and timeline is different but they all know that however they identify, I’m a safe person. I’ve had friends, colleagues and social acquaintances ask me how to talk to their kids when it appears that one of them is LGBTQ. I always say that once you’ve set the table and tone, a kid will decide when they’re ready to talk. All you have to do is be present and make it clear that you accept them and their truth. This formula doesn’t apply exclusively to kids. I’ve found that it has also allowed other adults I know to confide their own private feelings, thoughts, desires or identity-related questions to me. Being a trusted sounding board who is taken into confidence isn’t something I take lightly. Apart from holding these conversations sacred, I’ve been given a greater understanding of the many hues on each of the manifold spectra we call our “identities”. At any age or however you identify, the freedom to be clear about who you are in every aspect of your life is liberating and empowering. When you offer a friend, family member or loved one the latitude to be who or what they need to be, you have opened a door that holds space for their truth… whatever that may be. Never underestimate the power of that priceless gift, which is just as beautiful to give as it is to receive. Happy Pride, everyone… and I mean EVERYONE.

When you get called "Saved By The Bell" all day long

at work... Not by students but by other faculty members. 

I celebrated Prince's birthday with the brand new 3 LP purple vinyl / 2 CD / Blu-Ray box set of Prince And The Revolution Live (1985). Formerly available only on VHS and a substandard 1 to 1 DVD transfer, this restored document of the iconic Purple Rain tour is nothing short of spectacular. For those interested, the deluxe box set contains all physical media, a download of the audio, a poster and a comprehensive tour book. The Prince Estate has done it again and given fans another beautiful archival release to enjoy.

Metropolis

...And that's a wrap on Year 22

ADIOS!

Is it pronounced "gy-ro" or "hee-ro"?

I have now read the memoirs of three Go-Go's: Belinda Carlisle, 

Kathy Valentine and Gina Schock. All we need is for Charlotte 

Caffey and Janie Wiedlin to write one (with an audio book from Jane). 

Some of my favorite 2022 graduates

Didn’t have a “Running Into Mark Harmon” square 

on my flea market bingo card but I ain’t mad at it.

My favorite record vendor let me hold this extremely rare and valuable album by The Chirping Crickets from 1957 featuring a young unknown named Buddy Holly. It goes for approximately 800 dollars however to Bobby it’s priceless. Believe me. I get that.

Father's Day fun at Mom and Dad's house...

Happy Father’s Day To My Genetic Blueprint

I’m about to sit down to work on the first of the 36 final illustrations that will compose my next book. Earlier today, as I often do, I visited the park only to be surprised once again by my sometimes elusive blue heron friend. Mindful of the undertaking I’m about to commence, I knowingly smiled upon seeing him, noting his significance. The blue heron symbolizes self-reliance, self-determination and the ability to evolve and progress. I always seem to be met with totems, messages and cosmic signs at key moments in my life without asking for them to appear and well, this was a big one. Many thanks to my majestic feathered friend, the elementals and all of my guides. Everything is available to all of us if we are open to receive. Stay illuminated. Love, CDM

Volume Number 130 of my diaries and some quick notes.

Always noting, transcribing, compiling and composing. 

So much work ahead but it will all get done. It always does. 

Wishing joyful Summer Solstice and

a beautiful season of prosperity to everyone.

Coronacation (Part Six)

No Swimming... But Plenty Of Sky

This year, Pride Month is going to look different. 

There won’t be any parades. We won’t be gathering in 

the streets to celebrate, greet, hug, kiss and talk to one 

another and our allies as we have in the past. We won’t be 

dancing and singing at concerts. We won’t be festooned 

in feathers, capes and costumes or filling the streets with 

multicolor flags, floats, lights, confetti and balloons. 

In a time of global crisis and the manifold conflicts 

which have arisen since (especially in the last week) 

public assembly carries a much different tone. 

What remains in the face of this is the following: our 

identities and our power to remain visible, proud and

 aware... not only of our rights but the rights of others. 

In a world of chaos, panic, fear, separation and hate, our 

resilience, audacity, visibility, shapes, sizes, colors, faces,

 identities, stories, talents, voices and cultural contributions

 are more valuable than ever. In the temporary absence of 

public spectacles, pride still matters. We still matter. 

You still matter. I decided to kick off my own celebration of 

Gay Pride Month with a photo of myself at THIS moment. 

No flags. No filters. In the absence of all celebratory 

gatherings and attendant accessories, I still remain. 

I’m here. I’m alive and well. I’m grateful to be healthy, 

happy and free. The core truths and values that shape

 me remain without artifice. I would like to remind all of 

my LGBT friends to continue walk tall, share the love in 

your heart with others and NEVER let anyone steal 

your light. WE WILL ALL DANCE TOGETHER AGAIN 

SOMEDAY. When that day comes, I will be dancing with

 you. Much love to my LGBT brothers and sisters 

(and all of our allies). Stay illuminated.

Noah Reid's new LP Gemini... give it a listen.

I enjoyed revisiting Slaves Of New York.

Lady Gaga's Chromatica is a wall to wall disco trip.

Quiet But Not Silent • Horrified and disgusted by 

racism, murder, violence and repeated lessons 

unlearned by some (especially at a time when we

 should ALL be working together). I’m looking for

 guidance and answers too. This is unacceptable. 

We need to move forward.

Quarantine Hair. I ain't mad at the silver. 

Happy Birthday Siouxsie!

Christo Vladimirov Javacheff 
Also Known As Christo (1935 - 2020) 
Installation artist of monumental proportions. 
Thank you for your gigantic dreams. Rest In Peace.

Unboxing Video: Crayola Drawing Set (1977)

Janelle Monae photographed 

by Collier Schorr via Zoom

New Project: Manifestation Conversations

Videos 1, 2 and 3 with Erin, Laura

and Suzanne are on my YouTube page now.

Thanks to all for their participation in this

ongoing series of enlightening conversations.

Christian Montone - YouTube

Happy Birthday Prince! 

Pride Is Alive In All Colors 

Over the past week I’ve had some engaging, enlightening, 

productive and (at times) heartbreaking conversations with my

 high school art students about the all too present fight for 

equality and empowerment in a culture of systemic 

bigotry, racism and violence. Posting a black square on

 Blackout Tuesday was a gesture of solidarity but would

 have been empty if I didn’t create a platform for my students

 to express how the murder of George Floyd, the ensuing

 protests and widespread riots are affecting them. Our

 school community was also directly affected by this. Last

 week, a series of racist slurs were leveled at one of my 

students by a group of school mates during an Instagram

 Live chat in which she was speaking her mind about the 

George Floyd murder. Upon learning of this through screenshots

 and archived videos which were sent to me by infuriated 

staff and alumni, I reached out to her and we had a brief 

conversation in which I told her that while those individuals 

did hurt her, they also blew themselves up by exposing themselves

 for who they are with ignorance and hateful words. 

She thanked me for this and said she was grateful for the

 support of a school and local community that sprung 

to action to come to her aid and arrive at consequences for

 those who participated in the incident. While I’m continuing

 to monitor all aspects of the situation, I’m still very upset 

that this young lady was attacked in this way. Ignorance, 

privilege and keyboard courage are a toxic mixture. We’ve 

seen it on a global scale and now it’s present in a very 

explicit way in my school community. My colleagues, our 

administration and all of the students I spoke to are not 

having it. I’m not having it. As I mentioned earlier, Pride Month

 is different this year. I’m asking all of my LGBT friends and 

allies to PLEASE continue to operate in solidarity with all 

anti-racist movements. Within the current time and space

 of change and transformation, we all have an opportunity 

to lift one another up and hold space for one another’s truths. 

Parsons Graduation 1995 • 25 Years Ago 

Celebrating the successful completion of a cycle with my 

parents and beloved grandparents (who are very much missed).

 My mortar board said “Groovy” in masking tape. Later on I was 

a popping a bottle and sipping Dom Perignon with my Dad. 

22 years old with a newly minted diploma and some dreams 

but no fixed idea of what lay ahead. I think it’s fair to say it all 

worked out. Much love to all alumni who are graduating college 

and grad school in strange global circumstances this year. 

You are entering a world that is experiencing tremendous

 growing pains in its ongoing transformation. With your individual 

gifts, talents and energies you can be a part of its continued 

elevation. I have tremendous faith in a great generation that is 

creating itself in this chaos and as always, I’ve got your back.

Meanwhile, back in the present moment...

Amphitheater - Empty Theater

Unfiltered above and filtered below...

Peace is possible. 

Rebirth is possible.

All things are possible.