I'm back!

I hope I haven't lost all my friends here over a long break! I went home for Christmas, and had a great time spending the holidays with family and friends. I meant to hit the ground running coming back, but it was not to be. A sinus infection knocked me out for the last week. I missed the first yoga class of the season with Jayla Klein, the first Stammtisch of the new year, the poetry gathering today, and who knows what other fun events... Evil!
Thanks to Moggy I did *not* miss the last day and closing reception of a photography exhibit at the Black China Cafe: Charles Berger's Spirit Trees. I know Charles Berger from Java Junction. Brady's used to be his second home, to which a photo album can attest.  Visual Bukowski. When I asked Moggy what Charles was up to these days, Moggy told me he was photographing "tree bark." True, but that doesn't even begin to describe the images. The large giclee prints on canvas are absolutely gorgeous with rich color, and incredible texture. They very much look like abstract paintings, the surface of the bark fooling you into seeing brush dabs and strokes. The website doesn't really do them justice (zooming in gives you some idea), but Charles told us that he has a book come out soon. I will keep you posted.