Author: Chris

Stellar Day at the Cosmosphere

| Chris

A friend and I decided to go on a road trip for a couple of weeks. We’ve done it many times in the past. This time we wanted to go where we’ve never been to before. The heartland! Our first stop? Cosmosphere.

Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, this place is a portal to the cosmos that rivals the dreams of science fiction enthusiasts and the curiosity of avid learners alike. I was pleasantly surprised! In the middle of nowhere. it seems, the Cosmosphere is not just a museum; it’s a celebration of human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration that has propelled us into the stars.

What is the Cosmosphere, you ask? Well, I learned that it is an internationally recognized STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education center and a Smithsonian-affiliated museum. It houses over 13,000 spaceflight artifacts, boasting the largest combined collection of US and Russian spaceflight artifacts in the world. This makes it a unique repository of space history and a beacon of knowledge for all who visit. And I’m glad, I did!

Experiencing the Thrill of Space Exploration upon entering, I was greeted by the imposing sight of the SR-71 Blackbird, its wings spanning the lobby, a silent testament to the speed and heights humanity can achieve. The place is way bigger than it looks outside and there’s quite a bit to keep you busy for a full day.

In the Hall of Space Museum, I walked through the story of the space race, learning about the technological and cultural differences between the superpowers vying for lunar supremacy.

The Carey Digital Dome Theater is a two-story dome theater with its 4K digital projection system. It features stunning documentaries and feature films, and makes you feel part of the journey into space.

The Justice Planetarium shows a guide to the night sky, and teaches you how to spot planets and constellations above Kansas.

The live science demonstration inside Dr. Goddard’s Lab was literally a blast! With safe explosions and bright lights, it was both educational and entertaining.

Well, my quick visit to the Cosmosphere was well worth the detour, I would say. It was an enlightening journey through the history and future of space exploration. A stellar adventure, indeed!

Too bad, we only had a few hours to spare before we had to move on. Maybe someday, I’ll come back. If you get a chance to visit, do it!

What is Art?

| Chris

Earlier this year, I was invited to be a member of an artists’ guild. The oldest one, in fact, in the town I live in. They’ve been around since the 1940s. It is an honor, indeed!

So the other day I was interviewed regarding the topic of art. I don’t remember being interviewed ever before so it I had to pause and think about what I was going to say. It’s a short one. I hope you enjoy and learn something from it.

Describe the best reaction someone ever had to your work. Why did it hit home for you? How did it relate to your unique mission as a creative?

The best reaction someone ever had to my work is not so much a reaction as it is a remark. Most people would point out the same thing – that my photos have the sensibility of paintings. It hit home because it’s truly what I’ve always attempted to achieve. Unconsciously, anyway. And it totally relates to my creative mission. Being a frustrated painter, I instinctively create art by envisioning my photos as hand-crafted pieces of work as opposed to simply snapshots of what’s already been in existence. I love the imperfections and the drama that paintings convey. That human element, you know? I want that in my photography.

What first steps would you recommend folks do to begin making art themselves?

What I would say to those who would want to make art is this: Find your true passion, first and foremost. Art should come from the heart. Then create out of that passion! Create and do not stop! Find avenues. Find inspiration. Find an excuse! Just create and do not stop! Soon you will find yourself. And that is a happy place to be.

What do you do for a living in the “real world.” How has it informed your art practice?

In the real world, I am a graphic designer and a multimedia specialist. I create print materials such as brochures, flyers, posters and all kinds of ads. I also do videography, audio engineering, web design & maintenance and of course, photography. I am blessed that my job allows me to be creative. Besides work, I also create music. I used to be a professional musician before moving to Wyoming. Music is my first love! I write songs and produce my own music. So yes, it seems like in anything and everything I do, art dictates how I do it. Now, that’s life!

What’s an example of a little thing in your life that brings you peace?

God.

New album out

| Chris

Hey, I’m back! Sorry it took so long. My new 5-song EP just came out and I’m so excited!

Unlike in the past years, I’ve really struggled this time to be productive in terms of songwriting and music production. I’ve been dabbling in other areas such as jamming with Bluegrass pickers and showcasing my photography in a local gallery. It’s so much fun! I was even in a band for a day! I’m not regretful as I’ve expanded my artistic reach, met a lot of other artists and made some friends along the way. So that’s great and all.

But I do miss being in the studio creating music. That is what I truly love the most. So I’m very happy that I was able to finish this project that’s been dragging on its feet since last December actually. Anyway, it’s now available on all streaming platforms. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Rockdown

| Chris

Well, it has been an interesting year to say the least. You would think that just because you’re cooped up inside the house most of the time that life would be quite uneventful. And to some degree it was. But when you’re a musician, it actually becomes a happy excuse to be creative and more productive. So I was able to write and record a whole record just because I had more time on my hands this past few months. And of course, I called the record “Rockdown” for obvious reasons. Hope you like it.

There is a Better Way

| Chris

There have been quite a few conversations going around lately in my circle of influence. It’s an unpleasant one but of great significance, I believe. And here’s my take on it.

You see, I’d much rather a potential issue be nipped in the bud than wait for it to develop, only to slap a band-aid on it later on.

In my opinion, abortion is not right. It’s not any worse than divorce, really. They’re all sinful acts from my personal point of view. But they’re also not the root of the problem, I don’t think. Abortion, to me, is the cost being paid by the ones who did not necessarily make the wrong choices to begin with.

Unfortunately, the lack of influence on society to steer itself away from trouble early on leads to unnecessary regrets. We all need a foundation to stand on. Yet, where we fixate that foundation for the ones we care about will largely determine the course of their life.

Home! In the home is where kids should be cemented with the fundamentals. You know: Morality. Decency. Respect. Obedience. They need to have experienced these elemental ideologies as they hit school age. Otherwise, the seed of the problem will have been planted by then. And it usually goes downhill from there.

For instance, when kids who grow up witnessing their mom and dad disrespecting, distrusting and hurting each other, it robs them of opportunities to learn what love is and what powers it can unleash in their lives. Sooner or later, forgiveness can become just a foreign concept. Caring and selflessness may be reduced to being more of an abstract notion rather than actual moral convictions. Gentleness, humility, those could be thrown out the door, as well.

And when they eventually enter school and begin to develop relationships, and they grow up together through the years – guess what kind of influence they’ll have on each other? And in the world around them? Well, heck! Just think about the kind of conversation they’ll have one day during lunch break?

… “Hey, I got knocked up! I don’t know what to do.”

There are other examples but I’ll leave it to your imagination.

So, yeah, you have that. But you also have the choice to shove your beliefs down people’s throats and waive compassion. You have the choice to fly your flag of self-righteous indignation on people’s unfortunate circumstances. To take their freedom away and chain them for asking for something quite atrocious.

Such as an abortion.

Black Lives Matter

| Chris

It is impossible to feel someone else’s pain unless we went through the same experience. We can empathize but we can never feel the same pain.

One day years ago, I was hanging out with a good friend of mine. He’s black. We were in the middle of a conversation, and out of nowhere, he said to me that I was lucky because I wasn’t black. He said this in reference to the fact that I was dating a white woman at the time.

Back in those days, I was almost oblivious to racism as I’ve always lived my life in a bubble of “all nations” where color does not exist. At least in my mind, it didn’t.

I have to admit that I was baffled by what he said, yet I kept quiet and didn’t ask him what he meant.

Today, what my friend said to me back then has now become very clear.

The pain is real. And I learned my lesson.

Wy Oming

| Chris

I live in beautiful Wyoming and am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the community here.

I have lived most of my life in metro cities where everything you need is right down the street. Here in Wyoming, you have to adhere to a lifestyle that gives you less options. The payout, however, is that your life is greatly simplified. And the perks… come on!!! Peace and quiet. Less stress. And the air you breath is actually more than the price of admission.

And besides the stunning views right from your own backyard, I think what’s really unbeatable is the lack of traffic. Having been a city slicker most of my life, I can’t emphasize enough how transforming that is to anyone who’s used to the daily hustle and bustle.

Anyway, what I really meant to write about is that being a musician and songwriter, I find myself writing about anything and everything but the beautiful state I belong to. One day, I just thought, I should write about Wyoming. Maybe from a point of view of someone who’s not a native but has come to love it enough to make it his home.

So here it is. My own take on the place I call home. Wy Oming. Hope you enjoy it.

Oh, and by the way, if you’re so inclined, help me collect some royalties. Follow me on Spotify and/or buy the song/album on iTunes. Thanks much!

Like Father Like Son

| Chris

On May 26th, it will have been my dad’s 84th birthday.

Time. Wow! Time can be so merciless. I can still vividly remember him taking me to the barber. And I hated it every time! Perhaps, I’ve always wanted my hair long.

I realize how undeserving of God’s kindness I am. He’s been so good to me all my life. And I am complete today because of him.

Yet, if there was one regret I have in life, it would be that I failed to forge a meaningful relationship with my earthly father. A dreadful iniquity on my part. And the aftermath will no doubt continue to weigh on me for as long as I live.

This song I wrote is not so much a tribute as it is a confession. A longing. A moment in sackcloth and ashes, if you will. It was a difficult one to write, for sure.

I wish I could tell my dad, for both the first and last time, that I love him. Because I truly did! But it’s a bit too late now, isn’t it? I was given countless chances and I blew them all.

Indeed, time’s up.

A new album to close 2018

| Chris

ghostnotesMan, did I start late on this but I just finished a body of musical work for this year. Work I should’ve started in the spring at the latest. I could’ve been done around summertime if I did.

Anyway, I still managed to come up with 8 brand new songs in a matter of 2 months! That’s a rarity for me nowadays. Plus I also reprised (did a remake of) 3 of my old songs from around 20 years ago! I performed these on a recent Wyoming Singer-Songwriter competition and thought the arrangement needed a makeover. For one, I could no longer hit the high notes like I used to back then so I had to sing them on a different key now. And play them on different instruments, as well!

So, 11 songs recorded this year! Not too shabby for having just started this project in September. I have not had that many songs recorded in a year since 2005! Or 2004, if we’re talking original songs!

As always, the album is quite varied in style. It’s the most diverse album I’ve ever made, actually! It’s called Ghost Notes. Check it out. I hope you like it.