Butch the Rooster

DRAWING LAUGHTER

    Several years ago my church was putting up a festival and was looking for people to man a booth. I had never done it before but I kinda-sorta knew I could do caricatures so I volunteered to do a drawing booth. It was so popular the lines were so long. A thousand faces later and I'm still doing this. Last Saturday I drew caricatures for an Art Walk in La Habra, CA. I got one of the best compliments from a guy who, after seeing the finished drawing, just kept on staring at it in awe. No kidding! He said "this is beyond amazing." He was at a loss for words – "How could you ...? How did you ...?" Later, he said he framed it and put it on top of his bed.

    A young reluctant teenager was practically "forced" to have her face done. Then when she saw her drawing, her eyes lit up. "Wow!" she said and she started pulling all her friends to have their caricatures done as well. Some of her friends were real hams and they made the weirdest expressions I ever saw. And they held that pose for a minute --- enough time for me to capture the moment. Everyone had a big laugh. And then their grandmother on a wheelchair came over. A few quick lines and her portait was done. Her eyes lit up. "You're good! You're really good!" she exclaimed.

   I admit I'm bragging but I'm also explaining how much joy I get when I share a gift that I believe God gave me. And I'm not just saying this --- because sometimes I look at my drawings and I wonder how my hands did that.

    One of my dreams is to travel across the country on a drawing marathon. Each day I'd be in a different city. If I drew 30+ people a day, that would be 1,000 people a month. Think of all the smiles, all the memories I would leave behind? And I wouldn't stop there. I'd do it all over the world. Imagine if I did it in some war-torn area? I wonder if I could stop a war. If I did it among the terrorists, would they look at me as a fellow human being? Or will they cut my head and ask questions later? I'm betting they would welcome some humor in their lives. Hey, if you can arrange this marathon event for me, I'm willing to do this.

   What gifts do you have? Do you kinda-sorta know what it is? Are you sharing it? Take it from me, it will open your world. Just do it.

Wisdom from Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Butch the Rooster
Contributed by Dean of Vancouver, B.C.
WARNING: Not for sensitive ears

Videos of the week:

Zebra Singing for Food
Contributed by Freddie of Southern California

What if a zebra could sing for food? Would he sound like this?

Father vs Daughter "Beat Boxing"
Contributed by Libbe of Southern CA

Oh the amazing things you can do with just your mouth.

Cello Wars
Contributed by Norm of Arcadia, CA

I think this is an excerpt from a movie. Imagine if this actually happened in the Baroque era and two cellists really let go. Wouldn't that be so awesome?

US Navy Ceremonial Drill
Contributed by Rey of Simi Valley, CA

It takes a lot of guts and faith in your fellow soldiers to march in harm's way. I wonder how many accidents they've had. This is an amazing silent drill.

My grandfather had a small farm of chickens, pigs and vegetables. I would stay with him during summer and help out. This video reminds me of those times. I pass this non-descrip area in East Los Angeles often. I would have never suspected there was a vegetable farm there. The farmers aren't rich but they're happy.

Life from a Child's Eyes
Contributed by Wally of Moreno Valley, CA

A dramatic time lapse video of situational stages of a young girl with a thought provoking message at the end. What a reality check.

Billie Jean Song from Bottle Blowing
Contributed by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Michael Jackson would have had fun with these group's rendition of his hit song. Have a fun weekend. Happy Labor Day America!