Mug Mud

Moving...

...my blog to Wordpress! The site address will still be Mugmud.com. If you are using an rss reader to view this site, please visit MugMud.com and update your feed addres. I am leaving Typepad because they limit the width of text available on this page unless I spend more for an "enhanced" subscription.

Child Warriors

The kids in Prague have hyper-realistic toy guns that can be bought for ten dollars at the flea market located at the southern edge of Holesovice. When they play in the street I am reminded of the photos of child warriors in African guerilla conflicts that break hearts and win Pulitzers. When these kids are not pretending to kill each other they handle the mock weapons with the care and respect of real guns. I took a series of photos of these children from my apartment window on the warmest afternoon of the year.

Remake your Face

Signonsandiego.com today showcases a professor at UCSD who used his secret face formula to create a website which allows users to give themselves a makeover online. I could not resist giving it a try - I could use a new look.



click photo for detail (if you dare)

Remake your own face at Taaz.com.

Illustration Friday: Homage

Click for detail.

I hastily painted this portrait today in response to Illustration Friday's topic of the week: Homage. I have been wanting to depict Nelson Mandela for some time and he is as deserving of homage as any of us for his self sacrifice and humanitarian deeds. Respect.

Portfolio Redesign

Earlier this year, I meticulously cataloged my entire project history in web development from the beginning of time. I created data tables to hold all relevant attributes and composed project descriptions detailing the bits and pieces that I could remember from software authored as long as eight years ago. Then I crossed linked and published all the information on my website.

My considerable efforts left my portfolio website a cluttered mess. The design for the site was rather hastily assembled in 2005 and I had not done much to improve the layout since, just tacking items on as they came to mind. Generally I have been too busy to market myself which is both a blessing and a curse. Last night I worked into the wee hours of the morning in order to create a more accessible layout. When the birds outside my window started to sing, I got some sleep and finished up this morning.

The results are online at tjeremyt.com

Illustration Friday: Pet Peeves

The city of Prague has the most obedient and well trained dogs I have ever seen. Many dogs remain unleashed during their walks and can be seen waiting impatiently for their masters outside the entrances to grocers and cafes.



Unfortunately, many owners are not so well trained in civic responsibility. Despite the abundance of courtesy bags pictured below, the cobblestone sidewalks are a minefield of fragrant hazards.

Jimmy!

My father went to a book signing event in North Carolina to meet President Jimmy Carter shortly after he released "Our Endangered Values". He related the brief meeting with the former President, who asked my kid brother, "What's your name?"

"Jack."

"Hi Jack, my name's Jimmy!" He said his name with the enthusiasm and cheer of schoolboy.

Like many people, my father did not like Jimmy Carter as President, but could not help but become wooed by Jimmy's affable nature.

I became a Jimmy Carter fan after reading his courageous book "Palestine: Peace not Apartheid".

Detail of Jimmy Carter's face. Click to enlarge.



Detail of coat. Click to enlarge.

Illustration Friday: Heavy

This is my first Illustration Friday submission. Feedback is appreciated.


please click image for larger view