John sent me a pretty kick ass article written by Perry Marshall from his monthly renaissance club newsletter. It was called "Escape from the Institutional Straight Jacket" and it was quite powerful in its message, debunking the (our) process of secondary education, exposing the unconscious conspiracy that has programed most of our students into minion employees of big business, the minions of middle management status quo, many of whom are unemployed and/or unhappy during this time of economic crisis. (probably more my editorial than the authors).
And since I was having a pretty good day yesterday; lately there has indeed been a bit of clarity in regard to the connecting of the dots, that winding trail that never ends, that garden of forking paths--the one that entrepreneurs travel daily in their quest for achievement...I was flattered by John's comment: "this made me think of you". Thanks John, right back at you my brotha.
And it did remind me of me...and my group of men and women who stay on path and choose to embrace our style of advancement. Kevin and I have embarked on some pretty cool stuff when it comes to unconventional process in marketing and development. It is a template...kind of, a guide to the unconditional taking in of information and the sifting process that leads to a connection. The "degrees of separation" are important--that is where the opportunities lie.
I usually go straight to the big question before he does, at what point does the commodity come in to play? In our case, it is food. Then it is backwards from there. We go to great lengths to get trucks of (it) through the back door of restaurants, institutions, multi-unit operators. We don't necessarily need to own the business but playing a role in getting a start up business off the ground and/or enhancing our clients ability to grow and/or perform is critical, for many reasons.
For example, if we have to build a sky scraper as an offshoot...for the purpose of sending a truck of food through the back door (so that we can prepare and sell a finished product to our client or their client), so be it. The residual process of building that sky scraper is what provides us the power and a warp-speed-power-jump through the winding path, right up to the next fork (opportunity) in the road.
How? Because of the relationships encountered during the conception, planning and build out--the referrals that come after, the exposure to the top people, the money managers, the investment culture and top operations people that you team with. Soon after, and if you perform well, they can't do another project without you. This is where its at folks, and if you haven't embraced this concept, by all means, drink the cool-aid.
Why do they need you? Case in point, I am no architect, nor am I an engineer, I don't have a college degree and, god forbid anyone yank up my high school transcript. But intuition always pulls me through the right door, especially now that I have finally reached "intellectual maturity"--the point that one decides that the unconventional, the fringe, the non-conforming diatribe is the subscription.
Intuition is an automatic file recall of experience, a sub-conscious and split second reaction to a good experience or a bad experience. In the "Blink" (Gladwell reference intended) of an eye, the entrepreneurs mind rifles through filing cabinets of exposures to "like" situations, pulling from, measuring, studying the patterns of success and failure, eventually spitting out the subconscious deduction and the answer to: which way to go. Success over failure is an odds game with supporting similarities, historic data with degrees of separation...experience, the likely hood of taking the right path is enhanced by experience and this comes from embarking on the journey. So, them not necessarily wanting to conform to popular opinion, they need you for your intuitive power. Big business needs entrepreneurs!
And that was what Perry's article was about. Our countries default to provide our students with conformity, rules, standards or conduct, speak when spoken to, read what is set in front of you, compete against others receiving the same information. It is a brilliant article and I recommend everyone read it. At the risk of alienating myself from the educational community, I forwarded it to several educators of entrepreneur-ism as a testimony to my ability to not conform and still get what is needed. I was a little apprehensive at first, but it was my duty to permanently label myself a non-conformer, as it relates to my style of business. If I am permanently the token wild card schmuck sitting around the entrepreneurial table, so be it. Click...send.
Again, thanks John Lynch for providing me with the good fodder.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hills
In the midst of the recession, we seem to be doing pretty OK. I mean, lots of stuff happening with the business. [This is where I should say "not sure why"] but not sure why would indicate that we are lucky, and it is not about luck at all. It is because we spend an insurmountable amount of time planting seeds. Everywhere Kevin and I go we plant a seed, tell our story, what we do, how we do it. We have it down pretty good, we tag team our people. Things could always be better,I reckon, but at a time when nobody reaches too deep into their pocket to purchase anything, we are staying on track. We are frugal America now. Is this the way its gonna be? I noticed that sales are down in a lot of retail business, those relying on the disposable dollar spent, restaurants are discounting down to bare bone margins. I saw a hand written scribble on a flip chart touting a $5.00 "any sub" special. It also said, "no questions asked". By the way, how much are those guys paid who stand on the corners with the signs in hand? There seems to be lots of them now.
This is where I get a little concerned. The poor small business owners who are trying their best to stay afloat. They are the ones who truly need to decide when and if they need to toss in the towel or not. Many of them live on the bubble during good times. I spoke with John Daley about this. When is it time to give it up? When is it determined that spending all of your nest egg to try and hang on to your business ain't such a good idea. Why not close the doors and cut your losses? So many people, out of principal keep the business going, reaching deeper and deeper into their pockets to sustain that symbolic red neon sign that says "open"--that which signifies success or failure--this when months ago, during the good times, it should have likely been turned off.
When asked how the Lone Wolf Coffee Company is going I always give the reply that it is going well. Because it is. Our catering is out of control, each day is busier than the prior. We are now planning expansion using a unique licensing concept that can be doled out by means of our current "institutional model" and for others interested in locating the concept within certain co-branding criteria. In other words, we seek to grow in this economy, but not in the traditional "corporate" sense of the word. I say this for a few reasons. First for my family and friends, bankers and constituents who think it is nuts to position a multi-unit brand development as part of our mission, today, in this climate. To the naysayer I say, dude, take a peak at our process. It is not your typical dynamic. The old paradigm (understanding) of they way business works is old school. Our business is different, indexed, dolled out like a hand of cards in multiple markets, indexed, like a mutual fund. We dollar cost average our penetration in the markets, using our commodity, food and the labor who prepares and serves it.
I get asked. "What is your connection to senior living?" You are in the food business aren't you? I say yes, I am in the restaurant business and I do some of my business by contract, and yes, some of my contracts are in senior living. Then I get asked, "but how come you are involved in the seeking out of land and development, how come you are involved in the building of these communities?" It is simple, the more back doors I can create to have my food vendor send food, the more food I can prepare and sell back to the building owner as part of his residents amenity. And living there means rent is collected and rent collected is where my fee comes.
Same thing goes for the private education sector. "How come the schools you are involved in are the most successful?" Because we are part of the team, we work hard to deliver a community outreach by means of the hospitality department. We spend a lot of time giving our clients what they deserve from our abilities; teaching classes, starting programs in Hospitality Management, Business Dining Seminars, Entrepreneurial Studies. There is much more to our "building of the back doors" than anyone knows. It is different, multi-dimensional and prudent. We are specialists in business development, raising money, cause marketing. It is a b-product of our emergence from an idea and a mission.
A balance between retail development, non-commercial multi-market penetration and logistics management is what makes us successful. It is the common work day for us. We have been doing this for 10 years now. I would like to take credit for the understanding of it, but most of my contemporaries have given me the skills; bits and pieces of poor performance through the years helped sharpen our pencil.
So during this down time, when so many are counting the days when the switch gets turned off, we are hiring people to fill the demands of our growth--that which requires a new understanding of performance--that which is re-defining the process by which our clients evaluate the industry leaders.
This is where I get a little concerned. The poor small business owners who are trying their best to stay afloat. They are the ones who truly need to decide when and if they need to toss in the towel or not. Many of them live on the bubble during good times. I spoke with John Daley about this. When is it time to give it up? When is it determined that spending all of your nest egg to try and hang on to your business ain't such a good idea. Why not close the doors and cut your losses? So many people, out of principal keep the business going, reaching deeper and deeper into their pockets to sustain that symbolic red neon sign that says "open"--that which signifies success or failure--this when months ago, during the good times, it should have likely been turned off.
When asked how the Lone Wolf Coffee Company is going I always give the reply that it is going well. Because it is. Our catering is out of control, each day is busier than the prior. We are now planning expansion using a unique licensing concept that can be doled out by means of our current "institutional model" and for others interested in locating the concept within certain co-branding criteria. In other words, we seek to grow in this economy, but not in the traditional "corporate" sense of the word. I say this for a few reasons. First for my family and friends, bankers and constituents who think it is nuts to position a multi-unit brand development as part of our mission, today, in this climate. To the naysayer I say, dude, take a peak at our process. It is not your typical dynamic. The old paradigm (understanding) of they way business works is old school. Our business is different, indexed, dolled out like a hand of cards in multiple markets, indexed, like a mutual fund. We dollar cost average our penetration in the markets, using our commodity, food and the labor who prepares and serves it.
I get asked. "What is your connection to senior living?" You are in the food business aren't you? I say yes, I am in the restaurant business and I do some of my business by contract, and yes, some of my contracts are in senior living. Then I get asked, "but how come you are involved in the seeking out of land and development, how come you are involved in the building of these communities?" It is simple, the more back doors I can create to have my food vendor send food, the more food I can prepare and sell back to the building owner as part of his residents amenity. And living there means rent is collected and rent collected is where my fee comes.
Same thing goes for the private education sector. "How come the schools you are involved in are the most successful?" Because we are part of the team, we work hard to deliver a community outreach by means of the hospitality department. We spend a lot of time giving our clients what they deserve from our abilities; teaching classes, starting programs in Hospitality Management, Business Dining Seminars, Entrepreneurial Studies. There is much more to our "building of the back doors" than anyone knows. It is different, multi-dimensional and prudent. We are specialists in business development, raising money, cause marketing. It is a b-product of our emergence from an idea and a mission.
A balance between retail development, non-commercial multi-market penetration and logistics management is what makes us successful. It is the common work day for us. We have been doing this for 10 years now. I would like to take credit for the understanding of it, but most of my contemporaries have given me the skills; bits and pieces of poor performance through the years helped sharpen our pencil.
So during this down time, when so many are counting the days when the switch gets turned off, we are hiring people to fill the demands of our growth--that which requires a new understanding of performance--that which is re-defining the process by which our clients evaluate the industry leaders.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
I'll take that back
Friggin Albert, that is all I can say. The guy is reaching Grandmastergeezer status. I hung a while, but damn he was climbing. That is what I like about the casual rides with the competition. Sooner or later you try and flick the fly off your back with a burst of speed. It happened on the Just ins loop coming up from the bridge towards the cardiac downhill. Mercy.
For such a recession there sure were a lot of dudes hanging at the wolf today, on their way to a ride somewhere. I think the recession is a bunch of crap so I spend my money at Whole Foods, like last night when I spent 26 bucks on tuna salad, chicken salad and some friggin olives and marinated garlic. I tipped the checker. Love those tats.
How about Anderson Cooper commenting on the "tea bagging" demonstration. WTF? Bob and Tom had a hey day with this.
I saw Greg Gerrard the other day riding his bike. Greg and wife Rose were nearly killed, broken neck, vertebrae upper jaw. Holy cow I had forgotten all this when he rolled up. He is such a nice guy and a great competitor. I am so inspired by him coming back from near death, rolling up to Lone Wolf amidst all the (expletive) construction! About another week, they tell me. Sursley, Greg, glad you are back.
I am so riding my new carbones in the AM. I want to hear the sound, can you hear it. Selling a nice Single speed btw. Gunnar, very, very nice.
For such a recession there sure were a lot of dudes hanging at the wolf today, on their way to a ride somewhere. I think the recession is a bunch of crap so I spend my money at Whole Foods, like last night when I spent 26 bucks on tuna salad, chicken salad and some friggin olives and marinated garlic. I tipped the checker. Love those tats.
How about Anderson Cooper commenting on the "tea bagging" demonstration. WTF? Bob and Tom had a hey day with this.
I saw Greg Gerrard the other day riding his bike. Greg and wife Rose were nearly killed, broken neck, vertebrae upper jaw. Holy cow I had forgotten all this when he rolled up. He is such a nice guy and a great competitor. I am so inspired by him coming back from near death, rolling up to Lone Wolf amidst all the (expletive) construction! About another week, they tell me. Sursley, Greg, glad you are back.
I am so riding my new carbones in the AM. I want to hear the sound, can you hear it. Selling a nice Single speed btw. Gunnar, very, very nice.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Not Shaving, Coach Hammer, Food Network
I haven't shaved twice this week. Because I have gotten it back, the urge to ride and the attitude that comes with it. I am not even over weight, Boz, did you hear that? Three days this week and today will be four. Yes, I saw Kent Jones at the top of Lone Wolf. Just before getting a tongue lashing from some trail Nazi's for being on the upper lookout. I was guilty, I knew it, but it didn't mean that I had to respond to the lecture. I ignored them and it didn't go so well for them. My silence was better than any gesture. That is my new method, shutting the hell up.
The funny thing is, I feel pretty good, almost good enough to race. I say this now understanding well that the next time Skuck gets ahead of me he will hammer me until I weep. I can say that I didn't fall too far in to the abyss, do to the down time. I rode a few long mtb rides in between, an endurance race at Lost Valley. It was just a long recovery. First time sick like that in over ten years. The bronchitis is nearly gone and because I feel so much better, I will be mounting a comeback, that will peak near the first Dirt Crit in July, again in October and hopefully carry me through to the cross season, where Boz will dole the pain out like a barrista cooks caffeine.
Before I forget, the Belgian style Imperial Chimay beer type stuff that seems to be gaining in popularity, that full bodied, flavor filled genre that I have grown to love...let me tell you something, I will never, ever drink another one of those again. Word. There is a reason they are not sold in the ghetto.
I had an interesting experience the other day. In the midst of the bullshit of daily workload, Kevin the bald guy mentions that we have a visitor coming at 3:00 pm. I said, "Kevin, that's a good thing, because it is raining again, and I will not be riding my bike". He said "hey, ride the bike dude", and I said, "dude, who the hell is coming already?". Kevin always has somebody coming and going, he is like a freaking revolving door of data base network. I have met some very interesting people because of his work; the people in his network figuring out stuff. If you ever want to meet one of the best network geniuses of our time, stop by Lone Wolf Coffee Company, Southwest corner of Clayton and Kehrs Mill Road, for a nice roast and meet Kevin. He is the river stream knot tie guy, I am the trail guy.
Anyway, it was Coach Hammer! Hammer Bodies from yesteryear. Coach Hammer was coming over to the office to visit about our business. I was floored. I used to see him on TV, was always intrigued by his brand building as it relates to life in what he coins: food, movement and rest. I thought immediately...authentic. I was excited, because this guy pretty much embodies the spirit of indisputable personal achievement, as an entrepreneur and as a brand. I was excited to see what he might have to share. We spent the next four hours together. Two things I remember about him, his passion for changing the world by nutrition and exercise. And that he is a very small guy, who carries a wallop of a message. I was inspired and paraded him around like a celebrity. Which in a way, he is. Or at least, my hunch is that we will re-invent that celebrity to be a common name in the very near future. Coach Hammer gets our endorsement.
And check out this email that I just got from Kevin:
Okay – now for the crazy story – driving to Bonneville yesterday afternoon for our river trip meeting yesterday, the one where we are involved in the kayak trip down the Missouri River, when I get a call that tells me I will be getting a phone call from a producer / director. I get the call and the guy is with a production company out of Beverly Hills, CA that is putting together a pilot for a show that will air on Food Network or the Travel Channel and will be like - Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives – but the focus will be on…you guessed it – Coffee Houses, cool coffee houses, they checked out our web-site and were impressed and are going to film in May. I was on the phone late last night with their screenwriter and gave her some background. The pilot being Filmed for new TV Show in Ballwin at Lone Wolf Coffee Company etc. – they will need to have the street blocked off for a scene and we will need to fill the place with regulars (extras as they call them in the biz – and they will need to “volunteer” their time – but they will all be famous someday – ha ha) for a couple of days…the set-up is the host pulling up in the Midwest at coffee houses on a $100,000 motorcycle and as he enters the coffee house a gorgeous blond is walking out (same girl at each coffee house) and then he enters…anyway, more on this as it develops…
The funny thing is, I feel pretty good, almost good enough to race. I say this now understanding well that the next time Skuck gets ahead of me he will hammer me until I weep. I can say that I didn't fall too far in to the abyss, do to the down time. I rode a few long mtb rides in between, an endurance race at Lost Valley. It was just a long recovery. First time sick like that in over ten years. The bronchitis is nearly gone and because I feel so much better, I will be mounting a comeback, that will peak near the first Dirt Crit in July, again in October and hopefully carry me through to the cross season, where Boz will dole the pain out like a barrista cooks caffeine.
Before I forget, the Belgian style Imperial Chimay beer type stuff that seems to be gaining in popularity, that full bodied, flavor filled genre that I have grown to love...let me tell you something, I will never, ever drink another one of those again. Word. There is a reason they are not sold in the ghetto.
I had an interesting experience the other day. In the midst of the bullshit of daily workload, Kevin the bald guy mentions that we have a visitor coming at 3:00 pm. I said, "Kevin, that's a good thing, because it is raining again, and I will not be riding my bike". He said "hey, ride the bike dude", and I said, "dude, who the hell is coming already?". Kevin always has somebody coming and going, he is like a freaking revolving door of data base network. I have met some very interesting people because of his work; the people in his network figuring out stuff. If you ever want to meet one of the best network geniuses of our time, stop by Lone Wolf Coffee Company, Southwest corner of Clayton and Kehrs Mill Road, for a nice roast and meet Kevin. He is the river stream knot tie guy, I am the trail guy.
Anyway, it was Coach Hammer! Hammer Bodies from yesteryear. Coach Hammer was coming over to the office to visit about our business. I was floored. I used to see him on TV, was always intrigued by his brand building as it relates to life in what he coins: food, movement and rest. I thought immediately...authentic. I was excited, because this guy pretty much embodies the spirit of indisputable personal achievement, as an entrepreneur and as a brand. I was excited to see what he might have to share. We spent the next four hours together. Two things I remember about him, his passion for changing the world by nutrition and exercise. And that he is a very small guy, who carries a wallop of a message. I was inspired and paraded him around like a celebrity. Which in a way, he is. Or at least, my hunch is that we will re-invent that celebrity to be a common name in the very near future. Coach Hammer gets our endorsement.
And check out this email that I just got from Kevin:
Okay – now for the crazy story – driving to Bonneville yesterday afternoon for our river trip meeting yesterday, the one where we are involved in the kayak trip down the Missouri River, when I get a call that tells me I will be getting a phone call from a producer / director. I get the call and the guy is with a production company out of Beverly Hills, CA that is putting together a pilot for a show that will air on Food Network or the Travel Channel and will be like - Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives – but the focus will be on…you guessed it – Coffee Houses, cool coffee houses, they checked out our web-site and were impressed and are going to film in May. I was on the phone late last night with their screenwriter and gave her some background. The pilot being Filmed for new TV Show in Ballwin at Lone Wolf Coffee Company etc. – they will need to have the street blocked off for a scene and we will need to fill the place with regulars (extras as they call them in the biz – and they will need to “volunteer” their time – but they will all be famous someday – ha ha) for a couple of days…the set-up is the host pulling up in the Midwest at coffee houses on a $100,000 motorcycle and as he enters the coffee house a gorgeous blond is walking out (same girl at each coffee house) and then he enters…anyway, more on this as it develops…
Sunday, April 12, 2009
"Mr. Greenberg, an educated man, should be well aware of laws/rules, etc. that exist for the "greater good". Let him put art in the Holocaust Museum"
If Lewis's art were one dimensional, visual only, and with all of the conditions of mainstream acceptance, would it/he be as admired as it is today? (The term "admired" being subjective of course). The "museumification" concept doesn't seem much of an option for him. The educated man at the center of attention has proven that optimal exposure requires multiple delivery systems. For example, viral media kindling has been working for him, the interest of mainstream media has provoked a lot of interest plus, just "being him" out in the community is a common rubberneck medium that gets people talking. This, my thirty thousand foot perception.
I toured the yard yesterday and we sat for a bit and discussed what is coming next. As we visited, and as I sorted through the fire-cracker of ideas and concerns, I wondered how many people would just as soon tell him to shut up in an effort to quite his art--that if the neighbors were polled for "ideal circumstances", as Hydra suggests--would they want him silenced in addition to his artwork being "rolled back"? I get the road show version pretty much every day. Would we miss him if he's gone?
My guess is that there are people who want him removed. According to Lewis, some have expressed this to the State--that he should be institutionalized. Lewis says that hotline calls from the local politicians requesting a psychological evaluation took place and he has it documented. We sat amidst stacks of acquired documentation, pictures, and gatherings of wrong doings by his naysayers. I couldn't help but think they were trophies of a sort. Testimony to his art touching people. A collection of reactionary expressions from (some) of the community, subjects on a canvass too vast and too meaningful to...not admire.
I was sitting, talking to Lewis (on a church pew of all things) outside the coffee house the other day. He had gotten worked up over the continuance of his case by a judge who he says he understands to be Jewish. In an effort to express his concern over the matter, he described what he calls the 50/50. He said 50% of the Jews in the St. Louis area think he is a loose cannon--that he does not recognize the anti-defamation league as a reputable organization and that there is an ethnic/spiritual/political influence certain to bias the decision of his case, because of the judge presiding. I couldn’t help but visualize the new outline of things to come, the shading, the multi dimensional process of the matter, he has begun the sculpting of how this thing will play out--that his art will now extend to the legal system, particularly in regard to his case, if he has anything to "be" about it.
Oh yes, if he relegated himself to the museums to satisfy the conditional acceptance of his peers. If he held wine and cheese parties, black tie events, men and women trekking from the county to the cages built for the conditional displays to sit and collect whispers of "I really don't like this piece" or "he is brilliant in his spray work of paint on wood". Museums with their "hours of operations" signs that control the coming and going, the pop value, the communicative medium. Nope the museum approach, the homogenated process by which art is dispensed, doled out, controlled, does not seem too much of an option for Lewis—that which is conditionally adopted/accepted by those who can afford to make the journey, accept the dumbed down cultural experience looking through safety glass-- the timing on convenient terms.
I toured the yard yesterday and we sat for a bit and discussed what is coming next. As we visited, and as I sorted through the fire-cracker of ideas and concerns, I wondered how many people would just as soon tell him to shut up in an effort to quite his art--that if the neighbors were polled for "ideal circumstances", as Hydra suggests--would they want him silenced in addition to his artwork being "rolled back"? I get the road show version pretty much every day. Would we miss him if he's gone?
My guess is that there are people who want him removed. According to Lewis, some have expressed this to the State--that he should be institutionalized. Lewis says that hotline calls from the local politicians requesting a psychological evaluation took place and he has it documented. We sat amidst stacks of acquired documentation, pictures, and gatherings of wrong doings by his naysayers. I couldn't help but think they were trophies of a sort. Testimony to his art touching people. A collection of reactionary expressions from (some) of the community, subjects on a canvass too vast and too meaningful to...not admire.
I was sitting, talking to Lewis (on a church pew of all things) outside the coffee house the other day. He had gotten worked up over the continuance of his case by a judge who he says he understands to be Jewish. In an effort to express his concern over the matter, he described what he calls the 50/50. He said 50% of the Jews in the St. Louis area think he is a loose cannon--that he does not recognize the anti-defamation league as a reputable organization and that there is an ethnic/spiritual/political influence certain to bias the decision of his case, because of the judge presiding. I couldn’t help but visualize the new outline of things to come, the shading, the multi dimensional process of the matter, he has begun the sculpting of how this thing will play out--that his art will now extend to the legal system, particularly in regard to his case, if he has anything to "be" about it.
Oh yes, if he relegated himself to the museums to satisfy the conditional acceptance of his peers. If he held wine and cheese parties, black tie events, men and women trekking from the county to the cages built for the conditional displays to sit and collect whispers of "I really don't like this piece" or "he is brilliant in his spray work of paint on wood". Museums with their "hours of operations" signs that control the coming and going, the pop value, the communicative medium. Nope the museum approach, the homogenated process by which art is dispensed, doled out, controlled, does not seem too much of an option for Lewis—that which is conditionally adopted/accepted by those who can afford to make the journey, accept the dumbed down cultural experience looking through safety glass-- the timing on convenient terms.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Everyone else in the world should look at him with another perspective? Does he ever do this himself? My guess is no.
No, he doesn't. As an artist and like others of the same ilk, he doesn’t feel the need or find mainstream acceptance an issue. We wouldn’t be talking about this if that were the case. I have noticed that the anger seems necessary for him to stay on track with his purpose. The "on" button begins when he opens his eyes. He gets distracted easily in conversation, but you can't distract his perception of the naysayers, ever.
Oh, and welcome to the canvass, by the way.
To Lewis, there are those who support his art and those who don't support his art, or, those who like his art, or those who don't like his art. This brings to light again the fact that Lewis’s art stretches further than his yard, into the community, in his daily swagger. I have suggested before that Lewis is his art--that his cause and advocacy are part of the display work--that this forum post is a sinew of its outreach.
That said, you either like Lewis or you don't. And since coming to terms with something like this requires patience, understanding and the sorting of some fairly complex ideology--once you've done the work and all of the hoops have been jumped through--once you relieve yourself of the bias, prejudice and intolerance--then you might be ready to make the jump.
Be careful with the "what has he done for me lately" dialog. Time and history indicate that this sort of retort traditionally proves to be conflictive. Not wanting to back step here, but we have already covered the fact that he doesn’t have any regrets. In fact, any attempt to get him to resolve what he feels the naysayers have done ....well, he'll have nothing of it.
Oh, and welcome to the canvass, by the way.
To Lewis, there are those who support his art and those who don't support his art, or, those who like his art, or those who don't like his art. This brings to light again the fact that Lewis’s art stretches further than his yard, into the community, in his daily swagger. I have suggested before that Lewis is his art--that his cause and advocacy are part of the display work--that this forum post is a sinew of its outreach.
That said, you either like Lewis or you don't. And since coming to terms with something like this requires patience, understanding and the sorting of some fairly complex ideology--once you've done the work and all of the hoops have been jumped through--once you relieve yourself of the bias, prejudice and intolerance--then you might be ready to make the jump.
Be careful with the "what has he done for me lately" dialog. Time and history indicate that this sort of retort traditionally proves to be conflictive. Not wanting to back step here, but we have already covered the fact that he doesn’t have any regrets. In fact, any attempt to get him to resolve what he feels the naysayers have done ....well, he'll have nothing of it.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Supporters
Now there is a good example of divisional overtone; again the essence of the issue. And not to single you out, but there is an overall tendency to put words in other peoples mouths in regard to whether it is right or wrong, who is supportive or non-supportive, art or no art, right to display or no right to display. I stay away from these things, so I don’t fall in to the abyss with the rest of the community taking the low road. The low road power comes from what has taken place in the past. I feel this is moot. I don’t live in the neighborhood, but I can tell you that I deal with Lewis daily, likely moreso than his neighbors, and I choose an unconventional route.
It has become an enlightening experience knowing Lewis. The fact is, I can have a conversation and things usually go pretty well. I listen intently for ways to help keep him on track so we can exchange ideas. Frustration on my part is not an option. I have to keep this in mind if I want to “get” the gist of the dialog. It is my choice and my responsibility to accept this method, if I want to engage him. But I “understand” this about him, because of his qualities.
For the record, I did not mention the words "backing down", or "unwilling to compromise" or where to "stand" (check it) in relationship to Lewis or his neighbors. I didn't imply it either. I simply pointed out that, regardless of why, the conflict is there and (it is my opinion) that if you want to deal with Lewis you better, and I’ll quote: "understand" how he processes information, "understand" how he reacts to influence both positive and negatively, "understand" that he is (still) a human being with many personal relationships (not to be confused with the term “supporters”) who choose to enroll objectively in an effort to help sort things out when communicating. This is the new way, unconventional as it may be. Because we know that behind the anger and the conflict lies a unique person who possesses the core goodness found in all of us.
Regardless of how it started, no matter how convoluted the story is or becomes, we (the community) are in the midst of a journey that has evolved and unfolded in the front yard of White Picket Fence America--that which Lewis appears to challenge the 1st amendment and tolerance. It may not have always been the motivation, but he has always been an artist who displays his art.
I will be doing a video soon and will continue to write about it on my blog. This, prior to The Learning Channels documentary entitled “Neighbors”.
It has become an enlightening experience knowing Lewis. The fact is, I can have a conversation and things usually go pretty well. I listen intently for ways to help keep him on track so we can exchange ideas. Frustration on my part is not an option. I have to keep this in mind if I want to “get” the gist of the dialog. It is my choice and my responsibility to accept this method, if I want to engage him. But I “understand” this about him, because of his qualities.
For the record, I did not mention the words "backing down", or "unwilling to compromise" or where to "stand" (check it) in relationship to Lewis or his neighbors. I didn't imply it either. I simply pointed out that, regardless of why, the conflict is there and (it is my opinion) that if you want to deal with Lewis you better, and I’ll quote: "understand" how he processes information, "understand" how he reacts to influence both positive and negatively, "understand" that he is (still) a human being with many personal relationships (not to be confused with the term “supporters”) who choose to enroll objectively in an effort to help sort things out when communicating. This is the new way, unconventional as it may be. Because we know that behind the anger and the conflict lies a unique person who possesses the core goodness found in all of us.
Regardless of how it started, no matter how convoluted the story is or becomes, we (the community) are in the midst of a journey that has evolved and unfolded in the front yard of White Picket Fence America--that which Lewis appears to challenge the 1st amendment and tolerance. It may not have always been the motivation, but he has always been an artist who displays his art.
I will be doing a video soon and will continue to write about it on my blog. This, prior to The Learning Channels documentary entitled “Neighbors”.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Another Interpretation
I have known Lewis for several years now and am one of the few that he trusts to adequately provide insight and perspective into his world. I don’t always get it right, but it is simply my interpretation. It has become my personal challenge and an interesting and rewarding experience, becoming his friend and having the opportunity to write about him.
Lewis lacks, for many reasons, the ability to communicate and rationalize the way most of us do. Upon encountering Lewis, it is unlikely that the experience would be forgotten. His message: loud and often abrasive, circular, rambling and multi directional. He lives in a world where good and bad energy requires amplified reaction on his part. There is no in between. To know and understand this about Lewis allows one to better engage him or live within earshot of his presence; an adjustment on our part in order to take in his unique personal traits.
So don’t be mistaken, his art is inspired by the reaction of others, the positive and/or negative experience he feels from people. To say that one could argue that his yard is a reaction to the anger and negative feelings he receives from his community borderlines my better judgment. But there is something to his persistency that correlates to the anger and legality of things. It cannot be dismissed. Perhaps this is the message, or one of them?
Early on, and during my first interview with Lewis it was apparent that I would need to create a few rules that I must follow when either writing or commenting publicly on his "work". The first is that I never engage anyone on the topic of it is right or wrong: his display and in reference to the community, neighbors etc. The second is that, if I were to gain his trust, that I would never exploit or influence his efforts in a way that were not "core" to his creative integrity. It is up to me to try and put it in to perspective, he would advise me along the way if it were close or way off. The third would be that I would try and find the core human value system within him and objectively try and put the perspective out there, for Lewis and for the community. Because I can.
I can tell you that Lewis's life is his art, his canvass appears each day when he wakes, the day unfolds in his eyes in (whether it started that way or not) an advocacy towards his interpretation that combines the Holocaust, the first amendment, liberalism and concepts of love and hate. His work: the collection, placement and manicure of his art (which, btw, extends far outside his property). It is expressed on his bike rides down Clayton Road, the chatter at local coffee houses, his “sticker car”, the pendants and tattoos—Lewis is his art and the community just happens to be in it. The more he interprets intolerance…the greater the inspiration, intensity and volume. The more he interprets love…the greater the warmth and loyalty we all receive from one of the more interesting and mis-understood people in our community.
Ralph Pfremmer
Lewis lacks, for many reasons, the ability to communicate and rationalize the way most of us do. Upon encountering Lewis, it is unlikely that the experience would be forgotten. His message: loud and often abrasive, circular, rambling and multi directional. He lives in a world where good and bad energy requires amplified reaction on his part. There is no in between. To know and understand this about Lewis allows one to better engage him or live within earshot of his presence; an adjustment on our part in order to take in his unique personal traits.
So don’t be mistaken, his art is inspired by the reaction of others, the positive and/or negative experience he feels from people. To say that one could argue that his yard is a reaction to the anger and negative feelings he receives from his community borderlines my better judgment. But there is something to his persistency that correlates to the anger and legality of things. It cannot be dismissed. Perhaps this is the message, or one of them?
Early on, and during my first interview with Lewis it was apparent that I would need to create a few rules that I must follow when either writing or commenting publicly on his "work". The first is that I never engage anyone on the topic of it is right or wrong: his display and in reference to the community, neighbors etc. The second is that, if I were to gain his trust, that I would never exploit or influence his efforts in a way that were not "core" to his creative integrity. It is up to me to try and put it in to perspective, he would advise me along the way if it were close or way off. The third would be that I would try and find the core human value system within him and objectively try and put the perspective out there, for Lewis and for the community. Because I can.
I can tell you that Lewis's life is his art, his canvass appears each day when he wakes, the day unfolds in his eyes in (whether it started that way or not) an advocacy towards his interpretation that combines the Holocaust, the first amendment, liberalism and concepts of love and hate. His work: the collection, placement and manicure of his art (which, btw, extends far outside his property). It is expressed on his bike rides down Clayton Road, the chatter at local coffee houses, his “sticker car”, the pendants and tattoos—Lewis is his art and the community just happens to be in it. The more he interprets intolerance…the greater the inspiration, intensity and volume. The more he interprets love…the greater the warmth and loyalty we all receive from one of the more interesting and mis-understood people in our community.
Ralph Pfremmer
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