Very Simple Guides

This is the place.

2011-12-21T12:12:00.004-05:00

I am about to go off on a photo journey and at this point facebook is getting a bit too,
I am not sure exactly what, for me, but it does not seem to be the kind of thing I will be able to keep up with especially with internet connections being as whatever they are going to be.
It is possible I will check in there to link to an update here, but maybe not.
in any case many things will come before facebook.
Getting there.
Finding photogenic birds and scenes
Taking photos
processing photos
backi9ng up and uploading to flickr and here etc

Running Rasputin's campaign

I will be able to get email and will enjoy keeping in touch

A technilogical advance

2011-04-10T07:00:00.006-04:00

Howdy,
Not sure how to get this to run here so this will take you to my website,
first one is pretty small and should load quickly

the next is much bigger but worth the wait (in my humble opinion)

click on picture to open then

to turn pages - use your mouse to click on the corners of the pages

To go play on the website click here

oops wrong blog

2010-10-27T07:42:00.000-04:00

previous post belongs in Rasputin.... oops.

Write what you know

2010-10-18T17:00:00.000-04:00

or so they say...

When the different drummer knocks...

2010-10-17T13:00:00.001-04:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More spirituality

A new version of Joy - this time as a poem

2010-10-14T12:24:00.002-04:00

This is the heart of the submission for a grant with a minor formatting difference. Figure it should see the light of day, (photons of a computer monitor) - It is not new but a reworking.

Open publication - Free publishing - More spirituality

testing promo code from magcloud

2010-10-11T14:42:00.001-04:00

Very Simple Guides Issue 70:

Stress

By Todd Vogel in Lifestyle

Self induced insanity. Stress kills, and if it doesn't it sure ruins an otherwise good day. This Very Simple Guide uses nature photos and as few words as possible to try and lift the rock that may be sitting on your brain.

Back to basics

2010-10-08T11:51:00.001-04:00

Here is a new book

And now for something completely different

2010-08-01T07:57:00.004-04:00

Completely different!

I am in the process of writing a novel on Facebook using the very limited comments fields
This is an ongoing serial story posted as my status from time to time.
It was collected after the story had been going for a while and an episode or two may have been missed - but it probably does not matter. Typos have not been edited.
more will be revealed

It is the story of Rasputin, an alcoholic rabbit, who is endeavoring to take over Farmville and then eventually Facebook. It is supremely silly - it is full of typos but it is fun and probably worth sharing... there will be a photo at the bottom to make it worth your while to keep reading,

chapter 2 is in progress

Chapter 1

Once upon a time there was a renegade rabbit, a bellicose bunny who drank gin in the morning and dreamed of the coming revolution in Farmville after which the animals would rule and the humans would be confined to the barnyards. His friends told him that Geroge Orwell was writing fiction, but he did not believe them.

Back story on the revolutionary rabbit who is posed to take over farmville. In the deep sub basements of a well known pharmaceutical company there is a top secret lab which has found a way to insert human DNA into its test animals to better gauge the adverse results on them. This was not a job that your average biol...ogy PhD would want, so the company dispensed with the usual pre employment psychological exams.

The rabbit, named Rasputin by the scientist who gave him several DNA assists, realized taking over farmville would be just the first step, but also knew it had to be achieved flawlessly. His first move was to reduce the price of seed and grain and announce he was running for the office of Mayor which was vacant due to the sudden, unexpected demise of Floyd Walker

Floyd Walker who succumbed to a heart attack incurred while taking afternoon liberties with Farmer Thomas' wife - speciffically upon being interrupted by Farmer Thomas who had gotten an anonymous phone call urging him to return home early from his hunting trip.

Rasputin realized the charm of farmville was getting others to do your work for you - a talent he'd always tried to cultivate. Before long he had people posting Elect Rasputin posters on everything from fence posts to the sides of grazing cows. Not content with that he searched facebook and found members of the Flori...da Election Board who he hired as poll watchers.

Rasputin, the rabbit who was elected mayor of farmville, began consolidating power immediately.The chief of police was replaced with possum and a pitbull was hired as the new tax assessor. In his inagural speach he promised those who stood with him that they would soon be able to replace their ordinary lives with thei...r farmville fantasies - and that sex was going to be implemented soon. "After all, I am a Rabbit "

On the far side of the barnyard the chickens were not swayed by the Rabbit's retoric. "Pullet power," they yelled as they piled out of the coop.

Rasputin who had studied slient kills with the Ninjas of Kyoto, assault weaponry with the bubbas of Georgia, and WMD with you know who, was not prepared for such a sudden and overwhelming attack. Four holes were pecked in his left ear before he could get to his truck, only to discover he'd left his keys in the pants he wasn't wearing because he was a rabbit.

After the coop the chickens realized they had no coherant plan for running Farmville let alone taking over Facebook. Though some argued they should return to their former life, a clear majority was tired of laying eggs and having a destiny that included the word "fried". After scratching about for a while they realiz...ed that the fact no one would take them seriously could be used to their advantage.

Things were quiet for the first few days following the chickens ascension to power in Farmville, but the peace proved fragile as an egg when one of the hens, A Rhode Island Red named Cassandra, had a vision which unfortunately included a large vat of soup. Cassandra who already had something of a position as a spiritu...al leader among the pullets, found Farmville to be a wonderful way to expand and extend her pulpit.

Aware that there was a resistance building, the chickens began an aggressive campaign to bolster their image. Chickens began volunteering ant animal shelters, became fixtures at soup kitchens, and took out a series of ads which tried to show the gentler softer side of poultry.

Having named their comando training center Camp Swami Dami, after an noted vegan, the chickens built a mock up of a KFC where they are begining to hone their assault techniques. Not content with a one front battle plan, they also have a team of programmers working on the next iteration of Facebooks privacy settings system. All the while, Rasputin Rabbit, confined to a cell in the basement of the abandoned farmhouse, has been gnawing at the rope s which are holding the door closed.

Having spent several hours pecking out their ultimatum on the keyboard, the chickens' excitement grew until one of them realized they had neglected to turn the computer on. The revolution has been put on hold for another day.

The chickens have decided this weekend is their time to try and take over the rest of facebook. The invasion plan involves a float in the fourth of july parade which will be an attachment in an email they are sending. So if you get a friend request from someone with chicken related name, ie Pullet, Marsalla, Bantam e...tc - it is best to run it through your chicken checker software.

Change has been stymied - the chickens parked their invasion ready float in the parking lot at the American Legion hall, went inside and almost immediately got into a brawl with a group of Knights of Columbus who were feeling left out of the holiday celebration. It was not a fair fight. Despite their ninja training,... they were still chickens - and the K of C were itching to put their ceremonial swords to good use. This has left a power vacuum in the land of facebook. A bunch of history buffs are rushing to complete programming on a Genghis Khan avatar which they see ideally suited to taking over Farmville but they realize they must act quickly and seize power before the rabbit is able to escape from the makeshift dungeon where the chickens had imprisoned him.

Rasputin, the rabbit intent on taking over facebook - and once the ruler of farmville, decided that chewing through an electrical feeder cable would create the instability he needed to retake control. Unfortunately, the 10000 volts that passed through his brain scrambled thins somewhat and he woke believing himself to be the reincarnation of Shirley Temple.
Angie Brisse The rest of the warren was so grossed out by his rendition of "The Good Ship Lollipop" that they immediately stabbed him, poisoned him, wrapped him on a rug, and threw him into the freezing Volga river.
can the revolution end in such a mundane fashion? Or did the paranoid Rasputin have a bunny double?

Though Rasputin survived the assignation attempt following his first campaign appearance in which he wore a curly wig, and did a rendition of Good Ship Lollypop which drew the attention of a United Nations inspection team looking for WMDs, he decided that he would switch to "The World Owes Me a Living" as a campaign plank.

Rasputin Rabbit the erstwhile dictator of Farmville was last seen confined to the basement of an abaondoned farmhouse. The news, today, is that he has been freed! A donkey who had watched the chickens' accension to power, and their subsiquent roasting at the hands of the Knights of Columbus, was able to find a way to... break through the cellar stairs and reach our hapless hero. Unfortunately for Rasputin...The donkey's motives were not political, but, rather were amorous for this burro had a fetish for small furry animals. Rasputin greeted his release with joy until he felt a large tomgue in his ear.

Rasputin, wearing a leather harness festooned with chrome nubbies which spelled out "sex slave" and again confined in the basement of the farmhouse by the kinky donkey, was afraid his political career was finished - until he learned that his master's website "Kinky Barnyard" got more hits than the sites for the Metro...politan Museum and Dilbert combined.Now, he reasoned, if he could only get out of his restraints, he had a new path to power in Farmville. And the good news was that because the donkey lacked thumbs he was not that good at tying knots.

The donkey, now restrained in the basement was quite unhappy at the reversal of roles. All the while, Rasputin was working with the renegade Facebook programmer he'd once rescued from a compromising position in a seedy bar to give Farmville a whole new look. Utilizing the houses abandoned by those who had bored of th...e game, he had his sights on opening the first virtual bordello on a social networking site.

The power hungry rabbit was counting the virtual profits from the first weeks receipts at Rasputin's Rascal Ranch when he heard a car pull up. Most of the girls were back in the barn, but the thought he could scare up some critters. Looking out the window he saw it was not a car but a van emblazoned with "First Churc...h of Farmville on its sides in big gold letters which were set off against the purple paint job.

The first off the van at the Rascal Ranch was the preacher wearing a long black robe. He was followed by the choir, six young women and four men wearing red robes. Once gathered in a semi circle the reverend spoke, his voice loud and deep. "My God is a joyful God," he nodded to the choir who slipped out of their rob...es, revealing bikinis or less, and began to sing "Love Lifted Me". Rasputin, who was delusional about many things, but not about business realized he had met the competition and they had him beat. The spend a night with a sow offering had only appealed to a couple of very drunk men who had left vowing to ...go into a rehab. He had nothing to offer even close to the angelic women (and men) in his yard. Then next hymn was "He's got the whole world in his hands" sung solo by a buxom young woman, who used her hands to demonstrate exactly how much of the she meant. It was a novel arrangement and Rasputin found himself moving out onto the porch to get a better view.

Rasputin immediately knew he was out classed. He breifly thought about joing them, but the memories of a total imersion baptism and near drowning he'd partaken in as a desperate attempt to cure a class VII hangover kept him on the porch as he resumed his waiting game.

Reverend Roy, who had worked his way through seminary by managing a strip club out by the airport, took what he considered to be an enlightented attitude to dogma. Upon assuming the role of ruler of Farmville, he sent his choir out to survey the residents as to their attitude towards concubines (male or female). Thi...s he figured might well get their attention and could provide a source of positive cash flow.Please list below your thoughts and desires as to the availability of concubines (of either sex) on Farmville. which foreign country would you like them to come from?

Seeking allies, Rasputin went to a knights of Columbus function (they, after all had been very useful in dispatching the chickens), but to his dismay Roy had gotten there first. Two of the women were tending bar, and pouring generously it should be added, and Roy was in deep conversation with one of the leaders.
Knowing his proverbial goose was definitely in the oven, the foiled rabbit was headed to his lair to consider his options when he passed a group of women headed into a side door of the Methodist church.
Knowing that a couple of them were t...he wives of the men he'd just left, he guessed he had stumbled upon an Al-anon meeting and, making one of those life changing spur of the moment decisions he followed them into the building.

possible end of chapter 1

Heat

2010-07-25T08:02:00.003-04:00

The garden and its inhabitants are thriving despite the heat, though as seen bellow a frog took shelter in the shade of a lily.

And in this one the sun was just right

and this guy is cool no matter what

Glory

2010-07-19T08:34:00.003-04:00

Life, in its beauty, diversity and zaniness continues to astound me.
It is a hymn sung by this beleaguered planet
which keeps me looking at the bigger picture.

Gifts

2010-07-11T11:50:00.002-04:00

I am such a summer person. Shelley's amazing garden is a constant source of wonders and amazements here are a few - more will come

My higher power has a sense of humor.

2010-05-30T13:47:00.003-04:00

what more is there to say?

There are no coincidences

2010-05-18T07:35:00.002-04:00

Had a minor example of this occur this week when I sent a photo
and a three word email to someone
and got a three word email back - Are you psychic?

The beauty of all this is I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
(wherever that is)

Open publication - Free publishing - More spirituality

A rainy morning gives time to update the blo/

2010-05-03T09:39:00.003-04:00

Two pieces - a card on perfection
and a semi random photo

Open publication - Free publishing - More spirituality

a new round of cards

2010-04-20T08:04:00.002-04:00

more is being revealed though often, it seems, in a steamed up mirror borrowed from a fun house.

and for those who are on macs

Joy -

2010-04-09T19:00:00.001-04:00

Using the new photos and the best of the old words

Right Sized

2010-04-09T08:47:00.000-04:00

Finding the shoe that fits is not as easy as you might think.

Acceptance - more of the new format

2010-04-08T08:02:00.001-04:00

Peace

2010-04-07T19:39:00.001-04:00

trying out a new format - let me know what you think
essentially a greeting card on steroids

Don't worry, I know what I'm doing

2010-03-16T11:50:00.003-04:00

Have I always believed it when I said it?
Maybe, sorta, kinda -
but you have to accept my definitions
and precepts (some of which discounted things like gravity).

in a related vein, sorta

In an effort to get things moving - I have declared a sale on Very Simple Guides.
It coincides with a sale the printer is having -
so for a limited time the books are available at a very reduced rate.
In this case my precept is that once they get out there the books will sell themselves.

More will be revealed.

Friends

2010-03-15T07:36:00.002-04:00

What a gift.

Ambition

2010-03-12T07:17:00.002-05:00

This is the one that gets tricky for me.
I am allergic to self important,
narcissistic people and will
go to lengths to avoid being (seen as) one

but on the other hand...

It sometimes gets pretty lonely
when no one is paying attention to you
and you just happen to be soaring

and would like to think your are doing something worthy of an exclamation
"look at that!"

More will be revealed.

Importance

2010-03-10T17:04:00.003-05:00

Sometimes being a BIG FISH
is not such a good thing

of course the fish has found a way
to be very useful
to the osprey and her chicks.

Home again

2010-03-07T17:49:00.002-05:00

After discovering that the woolly mammoths had broken our deck,
and shoveling much snow
we are home and beginning
to take up the myriad
loose strings

It is indeed possible that this
will get very simple again
soon.

Habits -

2010-03-03T16:30:00.004-05:00

We are such creatures of habit
choosing certainties
over possibilities

I am certain that
my habit of wearing sandals
will change.
Such are the benefits of enlightenment.

see you all soon

Dragging our heels

2010-03-01T08:33:00.003-05:00

The glacier that is our driveway has given us a reason to pause.
with any luck and a very kind gesture from one of Shelley's
meals on wheels drivers - it should be clear today and we
are now planning on returning Thursday.

Mommy mommy mommy

Takes a lot of work to be this pretty

Returning

2010-02-28T05:10:00.004-05:00

be sure to click on these to enlarge them

Whenever I visit these places it seems
as though I am returning
to the place
which fills my spirit

Now we are returning
home.
Where my spirit resides.

More photos at http://flickr.com/photos/slipacre

A good excuse -

2010-02-18T18:53:00.002-05:00

for not posting for a while

we will be going off the grid for a while as we are heading into the everglades to camp for a bit.

It is one of the few places the internet has not yet wormed its way into.
More will be revealed.

Healing part 2 -- Love

2010-02-18T07:54:00.004-05:00

can be a gentle gesture
or a knowing laugh
the thing
to remember
is
Love is everywhere,
sometimes coming from improbable places,
but it is available
so long as you do not turn it away.

as always, click on this photo to make it larger
and more photos
http://flickr.com/photos/slipacre

Healing

2010-02-17T07:29:00.003-05:00

There is something so transcendent about nature
with its amazements
and wonders
And for myself
I lose myself in the glory
of God whomever
and issues just seem to slip away.

So long as nature continues to astound me

2010-02-15T21:04:00.001-05:00

I figure I am on track.
More photos at http://flickr.com/photos/slipacre

Teased by a painted bunting.

2010-02-14T21:53:00.004-05:00

there are good signs that are not being posted today.
How many times can you use the word equine in a sentence?
NO, today we were teased by a painted bunting.
Probably will make a good short story some day..;
But for now I will only tease with the teaser.
more photos on flickr

for most of us a single sign is not enough

2010-02-13T21:51:00.003-05:00

Do they really mean it?
Are there any exceptions?
Maybe one for me?

Well as best I can figure you get fined 500 dollars if you get et by a gator.
Not sure if the fine doubles if it gets your little dog too.
There is no mention of a family rate.
In any case, there is some added incentive here.
And I certainly will be careful.

you too, you never can be sure where the gators lurk

A sign, definately a sign

2010-02-11T16:18:00.005-05:00

With signs like this...

of course if there were eighteen inches of snow we wouldn't have to worry about such things.

Once upon a time

2010-02-10T10:17:00.004-05:00

There was this very adventuresome and gullible fish who wanted to know what it was like above the surface of the water he viewed as a boundary which needed to be passed in order to fully experience the world. As it so happened a pelican was passing near by and offered him a chance to see the world.

The fish was excited, and like many of us, did not think of all of the ramifications of the offer and with a flick of his tail swam into the waiting beak which then obligingly lifted him into the other world.

What a vision awaited him, but before he could even ask the first of a thousand questions - the pelican cautioned him about getting too much sun. I have a nice shady place for you, he said and the gullible fish said "Wow, thank you," but immediately thought, what if there is a catch to this?

There are days when you can't help but be grateful

2010-02-09T10:21:00.003-05:00

And today is one of them. Have regained internet which may or may not be a good thing. in any case will use the opportunity to share a photo or three.
while writing this at ten in the morning shared the table with a guy who was having a couple of beers while avoiding yoga class it made sense in a Florida keys kind of way. And delivered another blast of gratitude.

More is being revealed - though I am staring to think you have to slow down to be able to receive the message - unless the message is in the form of a brick wall in which case speed is of the essence.

Boys will be boys

2010-02-05T18:53:00.005-05:00

We have delayed our camping adventure for a day to allow a front to pass through figuring severe thunderstorms are not the best way to break in a new tent. This allowed us to check out a new birding site in which an egret went wild performing for us. Internet access is maybe going to get a little less easy but be assured we will post when we can
More photos at http://flickr.com/photos/slipacre
More is being revealed

Gathering material is going to be a lot of fun

2010-02-03T06:31:00.005-05:00

Until I got away did not realize how much I needed to step back
All is well - I am always amazed at the size of this country.
But even more amazing is the wildlife which is out there ready to ham it up.

God whomever definitely has a sense of humor many more photos are posted on
http://flickr.com/photos/slipacre

You can see it on youtube click here

2010-01-20T18:55:00.001-05:00

doesn't seem to work here

A video - Relationships - brand new this is a TEST

2010-01-20T18:11:00.002-05:00

On a wet and icy night

2010-01-17T19:09:00.002-05:00

maybe this makes some sense
or serves a purpose.

Who can tell? I have been upgrading the website making more books available in this format - in preparation for whatever promotional push I come up with.

More will be revealed.

The nice thing about an Attitude is you already got one.

2010-01-16T06:53:00.002-05:00

So it costs nothing, doesn't require you go to the store, or the library, before you can begin. Begin to adjust it to make your day go better.

More! Better!

2010-01-15T15:49:00.001-05:00

I have taken some more of my booklets and have put them up on the web
they are not yet on my website but will be eventually when I figure out how to do it without being too confusing.

These are the classics you have seen many if not all of them, but hey

please tell me if this is any better

2010-01-07T16:56:00.002-05:00

I have tried to make the website narrower so it does not go so askew

http://odatbooks.com

Just think once we get the basics done we can get to aesthetics!

thanks for your feedback

Todd

Sometimes keeping it simple - isn't

2010-01-05T15:47:00.002-05:00

Rosalind made a great suggestion yesterday, why not separate the books into categories - it would be less overwhelming that way? I knew she was right, sure I can do that - just a matter of cut and paste I thought. Used two gallons of virtual glue and five hours later I have something to show for it.
The new Rosalind Sparr better organized ODAT books site. Think of it as an unfinished carpentry project. It definitely needs sanding and may even have a screw loose (I know I do) Background colors are a bit of a problem need to work on that but I think the links all work. Anyone who wants to check it out would earn gratitude and maybe more. For today though I am done
http://odatbooks.com

Todd

and here is a new flip through I made as part of it all

Moving right along

2010-01-04T10:06:00.002-05:00

Good morning, cold though it may be.

two things, I have been working hard on my mew website
for ODAT Books http://odatbooks.com which is my new invention and which will be necessary for various details of self publishing - let me know what you think

you will find the display below at the website, but here it is

Joy - so simple,- but often we try to complicate it.

2010-01-03T06:33:00.003-05:00

This is one of my early Very Simple Guides - has been posted here peace meal but with the wind howling outside it seemed like a good choice in the new format.

May the new year be filled with joy. Todd

A new year or just another day?

2009-12-31T10:08:00.002-05:00

Whatever you do, make the most out of it.
Hope this is not needed, but here it is.

Love you all Todd

Oh and this is best viewed if you click on the full screen button in the center
you avoid the slipslide zoom feature that way ( I did not do it)
and remember esc gets you back to reality.

New years resolution - to promote my art

2009-12-30T10:48:00.002-05:00

This is a first step it is a test it is only a test I have no idea how well it will work but maybe...

Eyecandy - new photos - no words - yet

2009-12-28T12:18:00.002-05:00

This is a portfolio of shots taken with my new camera.
Enjoy.

Testing again this is not as easy as it looks

2009-12-28T11:42:00.002-05:00

Hi This is the same document but hopefully with links to my website
and magcloud where it can be ordered. New documents will come anon

Keeping the momentium going -this is link to flickr

2009-12-23T11:29:00.004-05:00

Have kept myself busy taking photos of various bird visitors.
In honor of the season they seem to be making a pilgrimage the the Buddha in our yard.
Promise to get Very Simple Guides going again soon, but at least I am posting

click on the title of this post to go to photos on flickr

It has been a while

2009-12-22T14:36:00.004-05:00

these things are easy to neglect
I will work to get some new pages up soon buf ro now will share a couple of recent photos
unfortunately the pictures the new camera takes are often larger than the file size this blogger allows. more soon I hope

for better or worse the finalists for the grant

2009-10-23T09:31:00.003-04:00

The theme will be water as source of life
and an instrument of healing.
or some such high falutin verbiage
I wish I could include more but the rules
are
the rulez.

final bunch of new collection

2009-10-18T06:57:00.010-04:00

in no particular order here they are.

part 2 some are similar but all made first cut.

2009-10-17T06:51:00.011-04:00

here is the next bunch trying to find balance and theme
a few more tomorrow. Thanks

taking suggestions another attempt at finding photos for the grant.

2009-10-16T16:56:00.011-04:00

a lot of these are of water in one form or another...
but not this one.

I think the theme will be something to do with water

Thanks for your comments

2009-10-14T07:11:00.004-04:00

I, of course, am still confused.
I need to work on it some more but have been reducing words
enlarging fonts,
and am considering using other photos.

More will be revealed.

The final bunch

2009-10-09T08:23:00.009-04:00

I have to remember this is a totally different medium
the ones I select will be shown large on a
screen four at a time (in a row)
for a very shot time - in the first round(s)
at some point they will read the description of the first one in each set.

Some of these, like the one above, have text below the image.
I don't know if this makes a difference
or if it is good or bad.
but it may be a sign of too much text.
In the one below I think I will remove the belief in yourself line.

below - too cute?

a number of people have pointed this one out
as one they like when reading the book
- from projection. But it is wordy compaired to the others

Another bunch of candidates note: my comments (if any) refer to photo below them.

2009-10-08T07:19:00.016-04:00

First, thank you, and
do not feel you need produce a coherent response.
These photos as always can be enlarged by clicking on them

This one, though a snapshot
and taken with a lesser camera, is working its way up the list
though it may have too many words.

the one below is probably too wordy
can take out some text

Not a "pretty" picture - but message is direct

this one may not work so well out of context.

though I love this one
and it really applies I think it may be
too complicated and would detract from initial
viewing which is going to be very fast.

This one comes from one of the final
more up-beat sections of a book
if included it will come towards the end

Some more candidates

2009-10-07T07:05:00.012-04:00

good morning.
here are ten more from a variety of booklets
picked both for the photos and the text
which has to me limited if not minimal.
Let me know if this creates too large an email
also let me know which ones are the most striking.
thanks

Does this one make sense out of context?

This one (below) is on my short list if only because I am such a fan of wrped perspectives.

Need your help

2009-10-06T07:52:00.010-04:00

I am applying for a fellowship and need to submit eight photos.
For a number of reasons I have decided to enter photos with a bit of text on them - in part because it fits with the Vision statement and because it will - for good or bad set me apart from the thousand other entries.

Here is the Vision statement - today's draft

At one point in our lives many of us have felt as though there was a dark hole inside us. We have felt alone, different, and often afraid. All too often many of us turn to alcohol, drugs or other destructive behavior to try and fill this hole inside us. My vision is to help heal those who are on a path out of the emotional hurricane this often leads us into. These photographs are a part of a much larger project called Very Simple Guides which is designed to use photographs and a very limited amount of text to reach people who are alcoholics, addicts or otherwise confused puppies. The photographs and words work together in an attempt to gently ring a bell somewhere inside the swirling bands of drama, fear and angst and to, for a moment, provide a moment of healing and a small patch of clarity from which we may plot our next steps.

The guidelines specify that text is allowed so long as the photo is pivotal this eliminated many of the more wordy pages I have narrowed it down to a thirty some and will post some of them here over the next few days. If you see one which is a bell ringer make a comment or send me an email

thanks Todd
PS I have little control over the format of this page - at least that i can figure out at this hour.

And finally,

2009-09-30T06:56:00.004-04:00

And some of us are living proof
of these miracles
often reluctantly acknowledged
and despite ourselves.

Think of the possibilities
if we quit
trying to swim against the
flow of the universe.

Note: this ends God Who - Available at Verysimpleguides.com
more will be revealed when Shelley and I get back from a mini vacation.

Todd

You are not alone

2009-09-29T05:53:00.004-04:00

in your confusion.

For most of us, it is our confusion
which has kept things
stirred up.

Which has allowed us to see things
as they are NOT.

To see ourselves
as less than.

Just for today - stop stirring
and put the spoon down.

Seemingly simple

2009-09-28T07:40:00.004-04:00

but the fact is
many of us
will need
some form of
diving intervention
to accomplish this.

Look for a sign.

If you see nothing
go outside today
about 6 pm
and look to the west.

Right sized

2009-09-27T07:44:00.004-04:00

Now that you are feeling
appropriately insignificant,
consider this...
The scaling goes both ways, so

In your own universe
you can be
a star
providing light and warmth
to those you love.

Of course
if the metaphor of
being a bag of hot gas
does not suit you
you are free to find your own.

If you are not amazed

2009-09-26T07:13:00.003-04:00

You are not looking.

Not looking
around
because the amazements
are lined up ready to be seen.

Nor are you using the right mirror,
the one that can see
inside.

That's because
you are using the glass
which focuses on
the pimples, the wrinkles,
and not keeping it simple.

On Thursdays my higher power is green

2009-09-24T06:16:00.004-04:00

Buddha Frog.

(click on the picture to light a virtual incense stick)

Other days I am devoted to
butterflies
or birds
and I pray for flight.

Cathaedrals all around.

2009-09-23T07:32:00.004-04:00

God whomever
really does not need our help
in this
or much else
for that matter.

When you take leave of dark places

2009-09-22T07:06:00.005-04:00

in your heart
and walk in the light
the world is transformed
you cease to worry
about asteroid impacts.

See, it's working
already.

Invisible

2009-09-21T07:04:00.004-04:00

How many of us
grew up
with the saying,
"I'll believe it when I see it?"

Unfortunately
this leaves out
many things which make up
the delicious flavor
of life.

Forget the maxim,
don't deny yourself
this feast.

We all need beauty

2009-09-19T06:13:00.006-04:00

To lift us out of the mire
we sometimes gravitate to,

and
to keep us
aware
there is a great artist
at work,
and that we are
each
a brush stroke.

Getting there.

2009-09-18T06:48:00.004-04:00

If you don't know where
there is -
all the maps in the world
are not going to help.

But before declaring
yourself lost,
building signal fires,
activating contingency plans,
and dispatching helicopters,
it is important to
take a deep breath,
look around
and
consider
the possibility
that you are where
you are supposed to be.

In this quest

2009-09-17T07:22:00.004-04:00

It is essential
to find
places
and things
which guide you
to
becoming
right sized.

Some times words are not needed

2009-09-16T08:03:00.003-04:00

Using your newfound license

2009-09-15T06:47:00.004-04:00

why not choose
a higher power
with a sense of humor?

We went to the zoo yesterday
and found many
examples
of this sense of humor combined with
an eye for great beauty.

Ignorance is under-rated.

2009-09-14T06:57:00.003-04:00

This did not come easily
to me
having grown up on a college campus
with intellectuals
all abounding.

But once
that bell was rung,
the understanding
of not knowing
returned my confusion
to a resting place back
inside the pages of
The Critique of Pure Reason
where it belongs.

I have said this before

2009-09-13T06:48:00.003-04:00

My brain is so cross-wired
I need be reminded
that my best thinking
had me exit
the highway to understanding
at a little place called Justification.

I promptly got pulled over
for illegal use of
rationalization.

Limiting the debate

2009-09-12T10:14:00.004-04:00

My ability
to confuse myself
with information
has grown
exponentially
the more I think I know.

And all the while
the answer
waits
for me to
shut up
and
listen.

If you are like me

2009-09-11T07:35:00.003-04:00

your best thinking
has, at times,
left you
confused,
angry,
and headed
very smartly
the wrong way
down a blind alley.

God Who?

2009-09-10T09:55:00.002-04:00

This is a very important topic -
an obstacle many of us
have stubbed toes,
and noses
on.

Note: this was one of my earliest booklets
and may be more wordy than later ones
and even (gasp) in need of editing.

Now, was that so hard?

2009-09-09T07:10:00.003-04:00

A final tool -
see your Inner Addict
as an extremely persistent salesman;
one who is selling
something you definitely do not want,
perhaps a very large, hungry alligator which he claims
will be an affectionate pet.
Further imagine this salesman as wearing plaid pants,
a lime green bow tie,
a striped jacket and smoking a putrid cigar.

When he knocks
you don't have to open the door.

If the phrase "heat of the moment" applies...

2009-09-08T09:10:00.003-04:00

Remember that the prompting
you are getting
comes from a coach
who wants you to lose.

Our emotional entanglements

2009-09-07T07:26:00.006-04:00

are most often
eligible
for inclusion on
a list of historical sites.

Old, rusted,
half fallen down
they can still trip us up
and sometimes open old wounds.

Recovery's gift
has been to bring us into
today.
Today, where we can
view them
from a distance.
If we choose
to close the history book
we can then put it on a shelf
where it can gather dust.

Consider the source

2009-09-06T07:26:00.004-04:00

By the very act
of trying to mess with your head
your inner addict
is acknowledging what it sees
as a threat
-
your recovery.

****
If you react
you have taken the bait.

Sometimes
if you shut your mouth soon enough
you can avoid the hook.

You have learned your lesson

2009-09-05T09:59:00.003-04:00

There is no reason
to rehash the past
except
to pick at the scabs
of your healing wounds.

Let the healing continue
unmolested.

Your inner addict
can not thrive
when you are healthy.

The lies do not stand up

2009-09-04T08:55:00.003-04:00

to scrutiny
though you must open curtains
and shades
from the past
to let the light in.

Now that you can see
it is obvious
your recovery is
the reality
you need to embrace.

Simplicity

2009-09-03T08:55:00.003-04:00

is your first line of defense.

Your inner addict
loves complexity
and thrives
in an environment
filled with distinctions
and exceptions.

Your simplicity can begin and end
with the thought,
"I am a beloved child of god
- an element in a wondrous universe."

Magnification

2009-09-02T08:24:00.003-04:00

How important is it?

In the heat of the moment
whatever it is
ranks somewhere in the vicinity
of the end of the world.

Exactly
what the inner addict
has in mind.

Recovery can give us
a longer view
which may kick in
if you can resist
the urge to hit the panic button
and open your mouth.

Despite much evidence to the contrary

2009-09-01T06:02:00.003-04:00

Why do we
so easily
believe
negative mantras
and so vehemently
deny
positive affirmations?

The inner addict does not play fair.

2009-08-31T09:08:00.004-04:00

With the ability to imitate
your parents' voices
it summons your
childhood fears.

Despite all evidence
to the contrary
it returns you
to a time before
recovery
and awareness.

Denial

2009-08-29T06:50:00.004-04:00

Denial
our inner addict
adds a layer of meaning to the word
convincing us
that anything good
must somehow be invalid
keeping us
wrapped in worthlessness
and bound by
our fears.

A fog settles in...

2009-08-28T07:59:00.005-04:00

Afterwords we say
"How could I not have seen that?"

What is so obvious
in the light of reason and understanding
is often obscured
when our inner addict
stirs up
the muck
at the bottom of
our souls.

In such a fog
we are alone
and that's
a dangerous place.

Many ways to get caught.

2009-08-27T07:59:00.003-04:00

Fully utilizing
our arrogant doormat tendencies,
the inner addict
has a variety of
paths to lead us down.

We may not speak up
when it is required
because of one fear or another
or
we may say things
only to find we have
opened doors marked
"Do not enter - venomous serpents
toxic waste,
radioactive agents,
and unresolved issues
within."

Never enough.

2009-08-26T06:50:00.004-04:00

Forget half full -
our glass is filled to 90%
yet we focus on the
10%.

That same amount
we'd most likely spill
when we trip on the cat
rubbing on our ankles
because we're paying attention
to there
instead of
to where we are.

Remember, as a child, the thing that was lurking

2009-08-25T10:11:00.004-04:00

in the closet or under the bed?

We all have shadows
in our souls
and
that is where
it now lives.

Its joy is in spreading the shadow.

Let there be light.

Arguing with your inner addict

2009-08-24T07:29:00.003-04:00

Often does not work.
It possesses a twisted logic
which too often convinces you.
Instead sometimes
you need be sneaky
and do other things
to end the conversation.

Look at the pictures,
call a friend,
kiss a friend.
And, when all else fails,
drop something heavy
on your foot.

Often when you least expect it.

2009-08-23T06:05:00.004-04:00

When things are good
the inner addict becomes restive
because its lair is threatened.

In times of stress
it lets lose
the hounds of projection
and regret.

There is a dark artistry to this evil
finding fault
in those we love
or finding ways
to hone our greed.

Something new - but oh so familiar

2009-08-22T10:28:00.002-04:00

Brand new - this has not even been printed yet.

This is the process by which
we make ourselves
unhappy and or
crazed
and
risk destroying
everything
because we are convinced
there has to be more.