Facet 17- Baby Animals

OK, even I admit this one is kind of schmaltzy. But hey, this is my list, and I'll be as schmaltzy as I want. Do I really need to explain this one? What' snot to love about baby animals?

Maybe it's because I'm a sensitive guy. They're just so cute! Seeing one just makes my day.

Facet 16- Mondrian

I first really came to appreciate Mondrian's work in college. I took a course in Art Appreciation in community college. One of our assignments was to find a painting at the St. Louis Art Museum that we liked, get a slide, and do a presentation on it in class. I walked around for a while noting various possibilities. I finally came to the Mondrian painting there.

I know it sounds cliched, but it "spoke" to me. See the reason I like his stuff, and this particular painting is that it looks structured and orderly. And anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not very structured or orderly. The fact that I see the opposite of myself in it is really the appeal.

I know he has works which are completely different that this one in his portfolio. I've seen them and enjoyed them as well. But those cubish ones are the works which I most admire.

It should be noted that the painting above (not the portrait) is not the one in the St. Louis Art Museum. I chose that one because it is more familiar and representative of his work. Also, I can never remember the exact name of the one at SLAM.

The Only Facet That Really Counts

Dear readers, this is the only facet of affirmation that really counts. The resurrection of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. This is the one I probably should have started with, but I wanted to wait until Easter to post it. Everything else on the list is just a set of blessings that make this life a little better in this corner of the world. But this fact is what makes life truly worth living.

Because of The resurrection of Jesus, because of this Easter hope, I can really get thru the tough times. I can live in the joy of my sins forgiven as a new creation. The fear of sin, guilt, and death is no more. It lies broken at the foot of the cross.

Facet 15- The Record Exchange

The Record Exchange is one of my favorite places to go in STL. I'm always looking for an excuse to send some time there. I go there to kill time, to do some deep thinking, to blow off steam, and to celebrate. It's hard to describe the place as a "hidden gem," seeing as how it's housed in a former library. Heck, I still remember when it was in the smaller place, several blocks closer to my house.

The Record Exchange has an impressive array of music in just about every genre. The vinyl collection will simply amaze you. There's always good tunes playing. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. And Jean, the guy who runs it, is just a super guy. You wanna find somebody who knows music, talk to him. A few minutes spent with Jean is always quality time.

Have I made myself clear? Do I need to go on about how and why this place makes the world a better place? I thought not. Besides, one visit, and you'll know what I mean.

Disclaimer: I am am not now, nor have I ever been compensated for this endorsement. Nor am I now or ever been employed by the Record Exchange. But it's not for lack of trying!

Facet 14- The Music of Cole Porter

Here is another one where I can pinpoint the time origin. It was a few years ago, when I rented the movie Hannah and Her Sisters. This is the exact time I became a huge Woody Allen fan. Anyway, there's a line in there where Woody's character says to Dianne Wiest's character: "You don't deserve Cole Porter!" So, I decided to check out his music. Turns out, I absolutely love it. I did some research into his life, and am still a fan to this day.

His lyrical brilliance is simply amazing to me. As someone who once fancied himself a poet (mine wasn't that good, but the haiku wasn't too bad), I am enthralled with his wit. If there was any particular order to this list, his music would certainly be near the top. Few other composers have captured for me the essence of human love and all its aspects (glandular, joyous, tragic, et al). This definitely makes life worth living. And sometimes, he makes what you're going through both more real and yet easier at the same time.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=images&imgsz=all&vf=all&va=cole+porter&ei=UTF-8&fr=slv8-&b=1

Facet 13- Hard Case Crime

This is another fairly recent addition to the list. I came across these a couple years ago, but only became addicted to reading them last year. I love the old pulps, as well as the masters (Dashiell Hammett, et al). This series republishes some lost treasures, as well as new authors who write in this classic style. They're pretty quick reads, but they generally grab you and really pack a punch at the end. Couple that with some fantastic cover art, and what's not to love?

The cover art is certainly part of the appeal for me. There's just something romantic about a private eye (or cop, reporter, ex-con, as long as they're hard-boiled), and a smokin' hot femme fatale.

Give the Hard case Crime series a try, and I think you'll agree with me. You can find them in any bookstore, usually in the mystery section, with the yellow ribbon (see above)logo on them.

Just so we're clear: I receive no compensation for this endorsement. I'm just a fan of the series. It's one of those things which enhances my life.

http://www.hardcasecrime.com