Wet Paint and the Train

Hello all -

I am sitting here at my desk gulping down a Coke Zero from Carls Jr. and yes, some other foodage from that establishment, finally taking a few minutes for me.  And YOU.  I decided the time isn't going to magically appear for me to drop you a note, so I must MAKE the time.  I was gently nudged by a few of you wonderful blog readers that you'd checked periodically and nothing new was here!  Bless your hearts! Thank you for caring!

My new position here at Stucki, Steele and Rencher law firm is wonderful, but very busy!  It's all good stuff and I very much enjoy the work and I love the people! I ride the infamous "Frontrunner" - the train that runs from Northern Utah to downtown Salt Lake City.  It's worked out great as I catch it in Clearfield (4 miles from home) and it takes me to downtown Salt Lake City where I then catch the "Trax" that winds it's way through downtown until it drops me off in front of my building!  Slick, yes!!  Interesting . . . INDEED!  Oh, and I'll mention right off the bat that I've already gotten a citation for jay-walking - ugh!

Union Station
12 x 16

My "people watching" skills have increased dramatically and every day is a new adventure!  Some days we are packed in like sardines (those would be snowy days when no one wants to drive) and standing cheek to cheek with people from all walks of life is actually really great.

"Double D-Flation"
12 x 16
These were some really great cinedome theaters that have been in Ogden for many years!
They were torn down just a couple of months ago.

I must shamefacedly admit I did have some "train" rage the other day.  I know, it's just not like me!  It was one of those days when the "trax" was packed and there were many more people getting ON than were getting OFF.  Thus a seat shortage.  There sat a young man (heading to the University) with his backpack occupying the seat next to him.  He had a smug look on his face as people around him scrambled to find something to hold onto as the train stopped and started, sending people flailing into those around them!  We looked like a pin ball machine!  Several people around me were all looking and whispering about how rude that he would not move his backpack and offer the coveted seat.  A woman even went so far as to go and stand right NEXT to his seat and wobbled back and forth in her heals trying to keep herself from falling.  Still, nothing--eyes looking straight forward or shifting to look out the window to avoid eye contact.

As you can well imagine, my blood is boiling and I'm DYING to reach over there and wring his neck!  Most of the comments around me were whispers, but mine were not.  That's shocking, I know!  I was conversing with some of the people around me (I have a captive audience on the train - people HAVE to listen!)  He absolutely heard the comments but his smugness got even smuggier.  (I'm going to skip doing spell check as I'm certain I'm making up words now!)

Finally, as this woman almost fell into the lap of another person, I turned back to him and loudly asked him why on earth he did not have the decency to move his $*!!@* backpack for her to sit down.  He had his response ready - just WAITING for someone to ask!  "Well, no one ASKED me to move it!" His voice was whiny and nervous with a crackling tone.  The train erupted in vocal comments back to him, mumbling in disbelief and then the laughter took over.  The comments kept flying and finally he said out loud, looking down at his lap, "OKAY PEOPLE, can we just let it go - it's over.  Stop talking about it!"  hahahaha Oh my, why do I do this?  Seriously - I'm a little nervous about him finding me now!  He was disturbed!!

"Playful Descent"
12 x 16

This morning, however, as I got onto a packed Trax, it was so full that there were people standing and yes, one seat still open.  Many chose to stand as this sweet little vagrant (missing at least a couple of teeth) looked at me with a smile and patted the seat next to him.  I was scared, I'm not gonna lie!  I could see why many didn't want to sit there.  I couldn't bear to hurt his feelings though.  Apparently his offer of his seat had been turned by a few before me.  He had some gloves on that had holes in them and a raggedy coat and hat.  I made my way down the aisle and scooted in next to him.  His eyes lit up and he smiled.  Yes, missing more than two teeth!  As we passed by the Utah Jazz arena, he said to me, "the Jazz are playing tonight" as his head nodded up and down.  I said "Yes they are!  Chicago!"  His face lit up - he'd hit the jackpot!  Someone to talk Jazz with!  He began telling me that Carlos Boozer was on their team and that Carlos used to play for the Jazz, ya know!  (Did he not know who he was talking to?  Had he not seen me doing post-game interviews with Jerry Sloan??  hahaha)  I nodded and agreed--we talked Jazz for about 6 minutes until I came to my stop.  When it stopped he leaned way over so to whisper in my ear "I hope we win tonight!"  I whispered back, "I hope so too!"

I'm not going to bore you with any more stories.  Today, anyway.  There will be more to come I'm sure! I have a million of 'em!  I do want to say that the transition of going back to work has been tough, but Doug and the kids have been fantastic in making my life much easier when I get home!  Dinner ready, dishes done, open arms and recorded episodes of the Office, Glee and Outsourced!  I sit with my laptop while we watch TV - updating websites, returning emails, finishing up work I didn't get done during the day.  But it's all good!

Not being able to watch Doug paint has been disappointmenting so he's done a few "progress" paintings that I thought you might enjoy as well.

Drawing out the painting with a q-tip - too cool for school!  

Adding the color values . . . 

Almost done . . . you might THINK it's done . . . but the fun little touches
that reach out and grab you are still to come!

"Winter Home"
16 x 20
SOLD

Fabulous, huh?  Yeah, I hope seeing these paintings is as big of a treat for you as it is for me.  I leave, I come home and voila!  A new painting appears!  It's amazing!

I should get back at it!  Thanks for your patience, your support and gentle prodding to keep this going!  It's good for me to "share" my stories - I have a million stories!  haha

Thanks everyone!  The traveling workshop "Tour La Plein Air" still has 4 spots left!  Jump on it - especially if you're fun!  I'm going and hoping to be thoroughly entertained with lots of fun things to write about!

Talk soon - I promise!!

xoxo

J'net

"Obscure Occupants"
12 x 16

"Patiently Linger"
12 x 16

"Wintry Illumination"
16 x 12

"Cross Lit"
12 x 16