The Tao of Walking Ridge

Inspired by blublu.org I finally took some in progress pictures of my latest painting.  This painting started with a rough sketch. My main objective was to enjoy the process of painting, so not all the details were worked out before I started.  I wasn’t sure what colors I was going to use, and I adapted as I painted.  One lesson I learned was to not be judgemental while the painting is in progress.  I did not like the painting half way through.  However, I kept adding and modifying and like the end result better than I thought I would. 

Escape - Brian Kelly, 2009 - acrylic on canvas board, 11″ x 14″

Escape painting video

I dropped Kate off at a launch a few dozen yards from Tex’s.  Since I had rented the boat solo, I figured it would attract less attention to return solo.  It also gave me a chance to assess Kate’s loyalty.  If she had any doubts, she’d run for it.  If she trusted me, we’d be walking side by side in a few minutes.
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I thanked Scott, finished sipping my scotch (no ice), told him my alias (Art) in case anyone asked and returned home. Time to slip off the grid for a bit and go fishing.
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When playing poker, if you have a monster hand the challenge is to play like you don’t.  If you have a weak hand and you want to bluff, you have to consistently act like you have a monster.  For a phantom, the idea is to not act like a phantom.  The best way to do this is to act like someone typical when you are under the watchful eye of the grid.  So I ask myself, what would the algorithm expect a typical person to do?  After breakfast, I stroll down to the book store, order an espresso, and explore the new releases for a bit.  The last thing the algorithm is looking for is someone who lingers on the grid.  Then I buy a few groceries and take a leisurely stroll home.
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A short blog novel, © 2009 Brian Kelly

The diner was the perfect setting for a phantom to meet with a client. Large enough to have a crowd to blend in with, but not so large that it would be a priority for the man to monitor. With cameras in all urban areas that include face recognition software, it is impractical to escape them. The trick is to avoid the grid algorithms that cause you to be noticed and your activities to be elevated for constant monitoring. Phantoms are expert at avoiding detection by the algorithms. That is how they move on and off the grid, providing off grid services for clients that lack the skill set or nerve to do it themselves.
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It has been quite a while since I last wrote a song. But learning new tunes from Bob Dylan and Corin Raymond inspired me to write a song with metaphoric imagery.

Circus Life, - © 2009 Brian Kelly

SmitsParts.com moved to SmitsPickups.com.  Same great quality handmade handwound guitar pickups and service.  The old web address was just eaten by the internet equivalent of the “sock monster” that eats socks in dryers.