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    Fifty words

    September 17, 2013 - By 

    My family members and many close friends are participating in a special project where words are essential. An early version appears here with more updates coming soon. This one is written by Lila Ridings-Darnell, Heather Turner, Bud Ridings, Tiffany Eakle, Cheri Wynn and yours truly and designed using https://www.wordle.net. And here is the final version, featuring additional input from Bob Bingham, Connie Bingham, Riley Darnell, Bernice Lurkins, Jim Darnell, Peggy Darnell, Mike LaHood, Joel Ridings, Nell Thacker, Ann Kiefert, Kristianna Bursa Myus, Sherry Ridings, Laura Darnell, Speed Jenner, Victoria Lynn Soden, Molly Gaffner-Jones, Richie Ridings, Linda Ridings, Bart Ridings, Mike…

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    May 1, 1994: Foolishness

    August 18, 2013 - By 

    By the time I’d reached age 28, when I wrote this poem, I had come quite a distance in my sense of how I valued other people’s ideas. I had many individuals I respected deeply, but at the same time, an ever-expanding list of those who had given me counsel that I did not trust, believe nor identify with. And based on my growing list of personal achievements, I was coming to a place where I felt I could sort out these differences pretty effectively for myself, and maybe also provide some signposts for others. This is something I’m proud…

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    May 17, 1996: The Bridge Holds

    May 17, 2013 - By 

    I wrote this poem exactly 17 years ago today. It was several months after the excitement of working on NBC’s seaQuest had given way to some different kinds of fun for Beth and me, but about 18 months before we surprised ourselves and everyone we knew by moving to California. This was written in May (always a favorite time of year), and much to my delight, those days were mostly spent handling very fun freelance production assignments (for example, shooting with Randy Baker for NASCAR), rewriting a screenplay for a futuristic thriller, and writing, editing and submitting poetry to top…

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    April 21, 2013: Pipeline blues

    April 21, 2013 - By 

    Friends, the public comment period on the Keystone XL Pipeline ends tomorrow on Monday, April 22. Will you please seize this moment to tell President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to reject Keystone XL (even if you have done so already) by visiting this link and completing the form? I am extremely grateful to those of you who have given your attention to all efforts aimed at opposing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Obviously, this is a contentious issue, and since there is BIG money at stake, the truths about environmental impacts are being buried. One of…

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    Let’s keep the world beautiful

    February 10, 2013 - By 

    We are very proud to be joining 10,000 like-minded friends in Washington, D.C., next Sunday (“President’s Day” in America), to be part of a peaceful demonstration. Why? For me personally, I can say for sure that a key reason is the deep emotional connection that occurred in me when I watched the above ad, and another more famous one named “The Crying Indian,” as a young boy about 42 years ago. It requested of me that I help “Keep America beautiful,” and on some level, I have been trying to do that ever since. Now more than ever, we are…

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    June 9, 2011: Creativity CaT Notes

    February 1, 2013 - By 

    Here’s a page of my notes from the June 9, 2011, Creativity CaT event in NYC. Among many lessons I learned that day, I picked up some interesting insights into the world of Transmedia from luminaries Frank Rose and Jeff Gomez. And below, for my continuing education, a case study from Bravo.

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    Dec. 15, 2012: Talented

    December 15, 2012 - By 

    Proud moment here: Amelia’s original poem has been published in the 2012 poetry collection “Talented” from the America Library of Poetry. She is letting me publish it here, too. Enjoy!

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    Oct. 14, 2012: Exhibition

    October 14, 2012 - By 

    In collaboration with many talented friends, it’s my sincere pleasure to present you with quality original photography and fine art projects I hope you’ll find to be extraordinary. Through several impressive fulfillment vendors, I’m very proud to offer you excellent values in digital photographic printing for the works of art you will find here: https://www.flickr.com/people/rdarnell Among the latest additions are some of my own photographs taken over the past 24 months. As you’ll see, you can now order prints with mounting and framing services, and specialty gifts and photo products. When viewing any given image, please click the “Buy” button…

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    Thanks friends

    October 12, 2012 - By 

    Originally published in November 2011. After joining in the November 6, 2011, demonstration against the Keystone XL (KXL) Pipeline in Washington, D.C., we have been celebrating good news for the past two days. Courtesy of Professor Harvard Ayers, Ph.D., co-author of “Arctic Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land,” it’s my pleasure to share the following news about KXL. “A landmark decision was made yesterday by Mr. Obama — HE PUT OFF ANY DECISION ON THE KEYSTONE XL TAR SANDS PIPELINE FOR 12-18 MONTHS, probably killing this horrible project for ever. The incredible forces lobbying him to approve it LOST!!! There…