random thoughts

How Cool is That?

| Chris

Wow, what an incredible surprise! I just found out that my song Me and My Samsonite was included on the official 2025 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist curated by the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming Humanities. I honestly can’t put into words how honored and excited I am.

As an artist, you always hope your music will connect with people, but to know that my song will be part of the soundtrack for so many travelers exploring the beauty of Wyoming this summer is truly special. I love the idea that Me and My Samsonite (#21 on the playlist) might be playing as someone drives through mountain passes, stops at a historic site, or just soaks in the wide-open sky. After all, traveling is what the song is about.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Wyoming Arts Council and everyone involved in putting this playlist together. It means the world to be recognized alongside so many talented Wyoming creatives. I mean, really… how cool is that?

So, if you’re hitting the road this summer, I hope my song, along with the rest of the playlist, adds a little extra joy to your adventure. Safe travels, and happy listening!

Turning Point

| Chris

It was the last day of April, 1992. In the thick of the LA riots, I had acquired my first Bible. As the city burned outside my Hollywood apartment, I diligently read the Scripture for the first time in my life. Soon after that pivotal moment, I made a decision to be baptized. Yet the years that followed brought unexpected spiritual hurdles. The truth has an uncanny way of doing that to you, I suppose.

Eleven years later, in 2003, God woke me up. Guilt and remorse began to engulf my conscience. Religiosity unraveled. Friends drifted away, some passed on, and my first marriage began to falter. It was a dark time, for sure.

Around that period, I felt compelled to write a song where every line was a jagged little pill. It took three years to finish it. Though it remains the hardest song I’ve ever written, it gave me relief. My soul could somewhat breathe again after. Today, well, I’m still a work in progress, but grateful for the lessons I’ve learned since. God is good!

Hotdogs and Marshmallows

| Chris

The bonfire crackled and danced under the vast Wyoming sky as my friends and I gathered around its warm embrace. A weekend of fellowship was had. The evening air, crisp but pleasant. The usual wind, nowhere to be found. We took turns roasting hotdogs and marshmallows, laughing as some turned golden brown while others, inevitably, met a fiery demise.

The scent of smoke and toasted sugar filled the air, mingling with the quiet snorts of the horses that had joined us. They stood just outside the circle of firelight, their large, gentle eyes reflecting the flickering flames as they observed our little gathering. Their presence added something special to the night — an almost mystical touch, as if they had come to share in the moment.

Conversation ebbed and flowed, sometimes lively, sometimes soft and reflective. Campfire stories were told, as were cringeworthy dad jokes. The fire held us together. Its warmth not just physical but something deeper — a reminder of friendship, of simple joys, and of nights like this that stay in your memory long after the embers have cooled.

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

| Chris

Thanksgiving Day in America, a tapestry woven from threads of gratitude, memory, and connection. Amidst the fast-paced rhythm of our lives, this is the moment when we pause, breathe, and marvel at the beauty around us.

Thanksgiving is like a bridge between the past and the future, a quiet interlude where time slows down. The clinking of glasses, the aroma in the kitchen, the laughter that fills the air – all these create notes in a symphony, each contributing to a melody of togetherness and appreciation. This day is more than just what is laid out on the table; it’s about the invisible bonds that tie us together, the silent acknowledgments of love and support.

In the gentle glow of the autumn sun, we reflect on the harvest of our lives — not just the literal one, but the harvest of experiences, relationships, and growth. It’s a time to recognize the richness that comes from being part of a larger whole, to see our own narratives intertwined with those of friends and family.

Thanksgiving is an invitation to open our hearts and minds, to give and receive with grace. This is an opportunity to celebrate the simple, yet profound truth, that we are all connected in this intricate dance of life. Each moment of gratitude is like a ripple in a pond, spreading outward and touching others in ways we may never fully comprehend.

Here, we gather around our tables, cherish not just the feast, but the stories and the memories that come with it. On this day, we take a moment to reflect on what it means to be alive, to be part of this grand mosaic, and to find gratitude in the everyday miracles that make life truly extraordinary.

Ghost Town Remnants

| Chris

The wind whispers secrets of the past. A relic of a bygone era stands. A desolate land, where time seems to have paused. A weathered sign stands resilient, a beacon of hope and community in an otherwise abandoned landscape.

Ghost Town

The motel, once a haven for weary travelers, now stands as a monument to dreams unfulfilled and journeys left incomplete. The building behind, with its boarded windows and peeling paint, tells a story of prosperity turned to neglect. The wooden fence, weathered and broken, mirrors the barriers we erect in life, only to watch them crumble with time.

The silence is deafening. There’s a stark reminder here of the impermanence of human endeavors. Yet, amidst the decay, there is a strange beauty, a testament to resilience and the passage of time. The backdrop tells of a poignant metaphor, that we are in a journey filled with moments of clarity and confusion, hope and despair, connection and isolation. It could be a reminder that, like a ghost town, we too are shaped by the forces of time and circumstance, leaving behind traces of our existence in the sands of time.

Images from an Eerie Odyssey

| Chris

Across the winding paths of my travels, Halloween has never been mere costumes and candy. My journey through arthouse museums, rustic graveyards and historic landmarks has unveiled the spine-chilling essence of this eerie holiday. Every now and then, I would capture images that represent a moment where the supernatural feels tangible, almost breathing down your neck. Not your traditional fare, for sure.

In every photo shown here, Halloween’s true colors are affirmed. They’re a chilling dance between reality and the unknown. These images are windows into a world where the line between the living and the spectral blurs, and the darker spirit of Halloween lives. Each frame of my journey tells a tale of the haunting beauty and eerie allure that lies just beyond the veil, waiting for those brave enough to look. And if you are one, beware.

Cold & Dark
Convicted
Entombed
Ghost
Sea of Trees
Slayer
Splatter
Stormbringer
Unmarked

Lady Dons a Blue Ribbon

| Chris

This macro shot I took of a ladybug perched delicately on a budding daisy radiates a quiet, yet powerful, charm. I called the piece Lady.

I remember it being a warm sunny day at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens around 15 years ago. Maybe longer. I’ve forgotten about it till the Cheyenne Artist Guild called for local artists to showcase their art on their September 2024 garden-themed show. It brought back memories.

The intricate details of the scene – each petal soft and fresh, the ladybug’s tiny, spotted body perfectly nestled within the greenery – are captured with a level of clarity that invites you to pause and reflect. The lush green backdrop creates a serene contrast with the vibrant red of the ladybug, a subtle metaphor for the coexistence of simplicity and complexity in nature.

When Lady was awarded first place and donned with a prestigious blue ribbon at the Guild – the validation, the recognition; it was a testament to the passion behind my humble craft. And the photo’s immediate sale the very next day added another layer of affirmation, making me feel deeply overcome by the appreciation it garnered.

In that moment, the journey from capturing the photo to seeing it appreciated in such a public and meaningful way culminated in a profound sense of fulfillment. My art had touched others, just as nature had touched me. For this, I am truly grateful.

Bamboos and Temples

| Chris

We didn’t have a lot of time to spend in Kyoto. With over 6 hours spent commuting back and forth and breaking for lunch and dinner, a couple of stops was all we could manage.

The first was the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It was a quick one!

A little background: The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, also known as the Sagano Bamboo Forest, is a 500 meter path between the Tenryuji temple and Nonomiya Shrine. It is known for its thick bamboo groves that line the path. And in good weather, like it was that day, sunlight filters through the bamboo, casting soft shadows. The hauntingly beautiful sound of handpans played by a busker perfumed the air adding to the forest’s mystic.

After taking a few photos, we had to move on.

Our second and last stop for our day in Kyoto was the Kiyomizu-dera. Let me share some highlights from my escapade.

As the sun peeked over the ancient rooftops, I set out on foot. The narrow streets of Higashiyama echoed secrets of centuries past, leading me toward the temple.

The temple, a wooden marvel perched on stilts, is suspended above the forested hillside. Its name, “Kiyomizu,” translates to “Pure Water Monastery.” And pure it was, the Otowa Spring, with its medicinal waters, beckoned visitors seeking blessings and healing.

Tired as I was from the rush of the day, I climbed the steep steps, my excitement mounting. At the top, the viewing platform awaited, a stage for breathtaking panoramas. Kyoto sprawled below, a patchwork of red roofs and lush greenery.

The Koyasu pagoda stood tall, its three stories reaching for the sky.

Kiyomizu-dera has witnessed emperors, samurai, and poets. Its 1200-year-old legacy echoed through the corridors. I sat by the Jishu Shrine. As the sun dipped behind the hills, I tried to absorb the temple’s serenity. Life felt simpler here, connected to something greater.

As twilight painted the sky, I descended the steps. The city lights flickered to life, and I carried Kiyomizu’s tranquility with me. My whirlwind trip had left an indelible mark, a snapshot of Kyoto’s soul.

Thank you, Kyoto, for a tremendous day, short as it was.

Satisfying the Need for Speed

| Chris

If you’ve ever dreamed of zipping across Japan at breakneck speeds, the Shinkansen (a.k.a. bullet train) is your ticket to adventure. My family and I recently hopped on this sleek marvel of engineering, hurtling from Tokyo to Kyoto (and back) in a blur of excitement.

The Shinkansen is Japan’s pride and joy, a fleet of high-speed trains that crisscross the country. The Tokaido Shinkansen, in particular, connects Tokyo with Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. At almost 200mph, it sliced through the landscape like a samurai’s katana.

Early in the morning, we drove in excitement from our hotel in Minato City, Asakasa, to the Tokyo Station in Marunouchi, Chiyoda City. Tokyo Station is the major railway station that serves as a hub for the Shinkansen.

We boarded the Nozomi, the speed demon of the Shinkansen family. With just four stops between Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s the Usain Bolt of trains. The journey was around two and a half hours long, leaving me wide-eyed and exhilarated the entire time. The fare is a bit pricey but worth every penny, especially when it’s your first time.

Inside, the Shinkansen is a blend of efficiency and comfort. It feels like riding a roomy airplane, if there ever was one. And these trains are incredibly punctual, they experience only half a minute of delay on average. Impressive!

A little bit of history: The Shinkansen story began in 1964, just in time for the Tokyo Olympics. Imagine the buzz as the first train hurtled from Tokyo to Osaka. Since then, it’s been a saga of innovation. The Hikari, Kodama, and Nozomi trains weave their way through the heart of Japan. But what blows my mind is learning that there was not a single fatal accident in all those years. Talk about putting safety first!

As we approached Kyoto, the beckoning of ancient temples, Shōgun and matcha tea was evident. Here we go! Arigato, Shinkansen. See you again at the end of day.