Mr. Collins of Pride & Prejudice

This is one of WGF's favorite actors in the movie Pride & Prejudice, adapted from one of Jane Austen's novels. I overheard him say one evening, while fixing three quarts of iced tea, "That Collins fellow...He makes the movie. I look at him and laugh. Look how short he is."

He is Faithful

Mbembe and the Elephant

This email was in WGF's inbox, forwarded to him by his father. It's a real knee slapper!!!

In 1986, Mkele Mbembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University Law School. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mbembe approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teen aged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man. Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Cross ballpoint and pencil set

While rummaging through some receipts in WGF's trashcan, i came across a purchase he made from Office Depot. Evidently he got this set for around $10. I wrote with the ballpoint and the pencil, and man do they write smooth.

Ink Well Sketch

I found this sketch in WGF's small, Piccadilly sketchbook. I think this may be the first ever sketch completed using his new Lamy Safari fountain pen, with extra fine nib.

At the Library

While sitting in Taco Bell yesterday, WGF commented, "Ya know, I've got to return those library books sometime. It's really weighing on me. It's been like two years."
I asked if he wanted me to return them, but said no because it's the same as if he has to return them because, "I have to drive you." he ended.
Well, here's a little poem of the frustrations involved in going to the library....

Lamy Safari Extra Fine

WGF received his new Lamy Safari extra fine this afternoon. I was able to take this photo as he was going #2. I read his journal entry regarding this acquisition and it's favorable, very favorable indeed.

I Hate You Don't Leave Me... Understanding the Borderline Personality

I found a copy of this book under WGF's mattress while I was sneaking around the other night and forgot to post it. I'm not sure what it's about or what it has to do with art. But evidently it's important to him.

Barack Obama Sr.

WGF told me that he's not fully convinced that this is Barack Obama Sr. But that's what the Internet says.

Oh Friend of Love, Forever

This poem, Oh friend of Love, Forever was recorded live with WGF himself providing the reading. After we played it back he told me was upset with how he sounded, especially his pronunciation of the words "eternal" and "damned".

He told me he wasn't finished with it yet, but I convinced him to go ahead and get this one out to the public. Graciously he consented. WGF does not know I added some background mood music to this poem, and I'm not sure what his opinion is of this method.

One afternoon, while sipping a caramel macchiato at Border's bookstore, WGF commented to me, "Hey. You ever heard poems being read with some mood music in the background? I'm thinking about doing that sometime. My stuff could use a little spice. But on the other hand I think it's a crutch for shitty poets."

I took our brief conversation as permission to do edit his poem. Comments welcome on mood music, not WGF's poem...please.

Senior picture from Reitz High School

William sketched this portrait of his father from a photograph that was scanned and saved to his Blackberry. He told me, "I was laying on my stomach, looking at some photos on my Blackberry when I came across this one of dad, when he was a senior in high school." WGF used a Faber-Castell Pitt artist pen (SX) to complete the sketch without using graphite first. When asked how he pulled it off, he replied "It was tough, but I was committed to the job."

The WGF blog is pleased to present this sketch for your pleasure and viewing.