getting ready for new years eve

Super dooper cold in Montreal, dead of winter, time to think about celebrating New Years Eve. Go to a party. Get the glow on, a fuzzy feeling of friendliness, soft around the edges. Try not to drink too much. Just drink enough to feel real good and leave it at that. Dance, sing, smile, a once in a year ritual.

Lohbado went out in one-eyed pursuit of fantasy. Create an image or scene associated with happiness. Attempt to be happy via reviving a set-up one vaguely remembers from a time when one felt good. The moment, when associated with an image, could be turned into a fetish or ritual. Lohbado had a collection of glasses and cups to contain various liquids. The fetish of an old wine glass filled with red wine, sometimes anticipation is more exciting than the satiation.

Lohbado had a sore throat and aching joints, so drank in moderation. When sick, the alcohol could feel like poison; or if you drink enough, maybe it might blot out some of the pain. But then the consequences are even more painful.

Recognize image and ritual as part of a little game of cheering up during the darkness and cold of winter. Enjoy the little scenarios and gadgets of illusion. Do it and see what happens. Hopefully it doesn't hurt too much. Maybe one might have a little fun.

Lohbado the clown along the freeway service road

Lohbado watched snow coming down as he walked along the Decairie Service Road in Montreal.

ready for holiday festivity

Lohbado awoke from strange dreams of being on the tundra, with a dog, which discovered a caribou head. The dog in caribou heaven, Lohbado felt small on the euphoric vastness of the arctic wilderness. The he realized he would have to put on a clean shirt and trousers, pick up a few presents and prepare for winter festivities.

peach pudding

Lohbado woke in a stupor and couldn't remember who he was for a few minutes. A lot of memories swirled around in his mind, along with various images of the countryside, eating dill pickles or peach pudding.

give it a try

Lohbado wrote and performed a new song, Give It A Try, at yesterday's hootenanny at Brasserie Beaubien in Montreal. The song is about going into the world of commercial photography, the various opportunities and dealing with emotional ups and downs. A classic way to find out what happens is to give it a try. One could do corporate head shots, boudoir photography, weddings, whatever you like. One could photograph art deco patterns to chase away the blues and to feel real good. When grant writing, a glass of one's favorite wine or a cup of green tea could help. Grant Riting, a 20th century champion applicator, recommends it.

Vision Quest

Lohbado remembered how in the 1970ies vision quests were popular, Don Juan, Walkabout, the Lost Wanderers on the Plains of Radiation. Put on sunglasses and step into a vivid, hypnotic environment. Follow the holy grail or mystical hallucinations. Tune into microcosmos. Go down on your knees in front of an ant hill. Examine bees up close, bee stinger dust.

In the evening, gaze wide-eyed and open-mouthed in wonder at the milky way spilling across the infinite cosmos. Those were the good old days. Later, when Lohbado grew up, he went in quest of the almighty dollar, without much success.

that's for sure

Years ago, when department stores were popular and one could find junk on sale in the bargain basement, Lohbado overheard a man about 60, who found clip on sunglasses on sale, 3 for the price of 1, approach a man about 70. The younger man couldn't find the checkout counter so asked: "Who do yah pay?" The older man said, "You can pay me." The younger man repeated, "I can pay you?"
The other replied, "Yeah yeah yeah yeah."

Whenever Lohbado heard the expression "a frank discussion", blunt, direct, squarely for sure he thought of this incident which mixed with sounds in a dream-like brain dance.

diary of a Push Button Expert

At the DR (Department of Regulation) PBEs (Push Button Experts) translated material data into intellectual concepts congenial to the Minister of Regulation mandate. Take sight, sound, taste, touch and so on. Hit enter on the PBC (Push Button Console). Hit process. The console generates a representation of reality. Lohbado worked nine years for the department before he was laid off using the leverage of technical specifications. They were concerned when he began tuning into frequencies leaking through the cracks and from around the edges.

look at all the beautiful snow

The first major snowfall of the season happened in Montreal. Walking, biking, driving, it was all a bit of a challenge in the snow. The snow was also quite beautiful.

crank radio with Lohbado

Using image, sound and a little animation Lohbado evokes the experience of cheering up, after an episode of feeling down. He bought the crank radio at the Coop Store in Aupaluk, Nunavik, 2005.