The weather here is cool/cold, but at least no snow. Well we had a few flakes a couple of days ago but they melted when they hit the ground. Can't say that I miss snow hanging around.

Well we still have an Art Department, which seems like some sort of a blessing in this, yet again, budget crunch. The powers that be have decided that we must cut from 7 departments to 4 and apparently it is not negotiable, from Administration's viewpoint. Which in all sincerity is fine, as you cannot put more than 3 faculty members in a room and reach any sort of agreement...lol...on most any issue presented.

In the art dept., we just decided to suck it up and agree with the merger. What is the point in arguing something that is apparently inevitable. Anyway, joining with the Music and Theater dept makes us a bigger department and essentially one with a bigger voice. Which perhaps in the long run might come back and bite some administrators in the collective ass....lol.

Enough groaning about work, I am glad to have a teaching position that I love. I just wish we could just go about the process of teaching without worrying about budget cuts.

I have been working on the art department website and my faculty website and changing stuff all around. If you have not checked them lately, please take a peek.



Jamie and Andrew are healthy and doing well, as per usual. They are such a blessing. I am doing well and my cellulitis is almost completely healed in my knee....what a pain that was....againnnnnnn....lol.

I will try and blog again soon.

Well it has been a bit of a trying week here at the ol SOSU art department. We found out at the beginning of last week that the Administration has decided that a number of departments at the university are to merge as a budget saving measure.

So as of July, the Art Dept will be merged with the Music and Theater dept. The budget savings will be in terms of: instead of 3 separate Chairs of each dept., there will only be 1. Gleny the Chair of the Art Dept will be no longer, which sucks. She is a good Chair.

The new chair of the combined department will be the Chair of the Music Dept. He is also the President of the Red River Art Council, which I am a board member of. He is a good leader and should make a good Chair of this new merger. So that is good news.

The other cost saving measure will come in the fact that we will lose our secretary (and so will Theater). Which sucks for the faculty and sucks even more for Glenda as she is a year from retiring. So hopefully, she will be able to transfer to another department.

All this news was followed with the news that the Art and Science department has a budget cut of 270,000 dollars. So we are all scratching our collective heads as to where other cuts are going to take place to make up this deficit. The good news in all this is the fact we still have an Art Dept and that I still have a teaching job. And it looks like the merger of departments is better than Administration doing something like........ummmm.....who needs Art....lets cut the Art Dept. So thank goodness that is not the scenario.

Well enough about work. Jamie and Andrew are both in good health and seem to be enjoying school. As much as kids can enjoy school anyway....lol. I am doing ok and my leg is on the mend and I am getting around quite well. It does not ache nearly as much as it did 2 weeks ago. I do not recommend anyone contracting Cellulitis, tis a painful infection. I hope it leaves my body for good and never comes back.

Time to get off of here....need to get some beauty rest.....zzzzzzzzz

Hey there
Been awhile since I blogged...but not much new here. Jamie and Andrew were here last night and today and had a good time as per usual. Happy little hooligans they are.
Well I start back teaching this week, although I went in most of last week preparing for classes.....fun fun. I did a few new artpieces for the student/faculty show. They are mainly tar-based and don't stink as much as I thought they would. A couple of them actually look pretty good. I will have to take some digital pics of them and send to those who are interested. And if no one is interested, I will post them on my website at the university.
Well I guess I should get ready for bed....back to the old grind tomorrow. Hi ho hi ho...its off to work I go......

Well it is Tuesday AM, sunny and bright and supposedly going up to 55 F and for Dennis that is 182 on the Frugelmeister scale. Still cannot get used to the weather here and correlating it to Christmas....just seems like fall. If people did not put up Christmas lights it would not look like Christmas at all. But nonetheless, it is 2 days before Christmas, and waiting for Jamie and Andrew's arrival for our Christmas festivities. The opening of presents, the fun, the mayhem, the mess, the chestnuts roasting on an open fire....HUH....I don't have an open fire....nor chestnuts as a matter of fact....lol.

I must correct an error on my last Blog. I mentioned that (if your too lazy to scroll down....lol) that Jamie was in 1st. grade. Well, in fact, he is in 2nd grade and I either had an early bout of Alzheimer's or I am in denial of Jamie growing up too fast. Let's go with the second one...tehe. Anyway, he is still far too young to be glad school is out. Why it took me til at least 3rd grade to be feeling that way. And here I am 48 and still in school. Guezz I will nevuh gradiate...duh yup. Life can be so ironic.

I would imagine that my land roving brother and sister-in-law should be arriving in Port Tishomingo later today in their land yacht. I look forward to having them dock here for the Holidays. Well I better get busy and clean up this place....lol.

Well today is Saturday and it is sunny. Jamie and Andrew are here watching cartoons, co-operatively getting along as all good brothers should. Jamie is happy school is 'out' for the next 2 weeks. Man in 1st grade and sick of school already...lol. Oh well. Andrew has not mentioned anything about being glad that preK is out...lol. But they are both wishing Christmas morning was here just a little bit sooner.

I have been busy making some bowls (about 20 and fruit bowl size) that have been commissioned by MSC for their Dynamics of Leadership course for the past 4 years. The college hands out these commemorative 'objets d'art' to guest speakers whom are invited to speak for the course.

I have also been making some tar-painted abstracted wooden wall relief sculptures, which will be internally back lit somehow ( I have not quite worked that part out yet, but in my mind's eye they will be mysterious and visually intriquing...lol). I like the idea of painting these things with tar and sawdust mixed together. Kinda like creating with some sort of primordial goo. I asked a student what they thought about my creations (I have constructed 2 so far), and she said they were interesting, but because of the tar painted surface, they stink. So now I can honestly say that I make art that truly stinks...lol. I will send or post pics, if and when they turn out. We have a student/faculty art show coming up in January and hope they will be completed for that. It is nice to have something 'new' to show at these type of events.

Anyway, I am looking forward to spending Christmas Eve with Jamie and Andrew and having Gary and Carol here for Christmas. I will try to update a little more frequently ove the holdays.

Well, long time no blog.....well with all the bloggers out there....I thought I better get busy and post. Had a nice visit over American Thanksgiving with Gary and Carol and look forward to their return visit around Christmas.

Friday was the last day of classes at SOSU and this week coming up is exam time....fun fun fun time of year with all the grading of tests and critiquing of artwork. But after that I hope I will have some time to have some time to make some new artwork. I will keep my fingers crossed on that notion.

Jamie and Andrew are doing well and looking forward to Christmas. As if they need anymore toys....lol. It will be nice have Gary and Carol here to celebrate the season with. Well I best be getting back to preparing for upcoming week.

Well just to freak me brudders out. I decided to post a blog during the week. An extreee blog so to speak. Not that I have anything to say but I felt an urge to blog. So hear I am blogging....blog blog blog....

Nothing new here really. Looking forward to Gary and Carolyn's arrival next week. Good timing as I have Jamie and Andrew for Thanksgiving break for 4 days. So that will work out nice. I am off weds to fri that week too....which is also good. And my birthday too, next week, 4 frickin 8 years old.....aye carumba. Hard to believe considering I feel like a young pup inside.....welll most of the time...ok some mornings when I get a good night's rest.....lol.

Well I guess that is all that is on my mind at the moment. So I will let the select readers of this digest go now and bid you adieu.
Go on to the other aspects of your day. Your other duties, trials and tribulations.

Adios amigos. So Long.

Ummmm....ok...you may go now.

Bye.........

You still here?

Beat it! Scram!.....Go on! Scoot! Be off damn, Spot!!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Dennis & Catherine Ousey's Blog

WOW......another Blog from Jack....and without any coaxing. Well let's see what has been new.....ummmmm........Monday....Busy. Tuesday.... Busy ..... Weds..... busy..... Thurs...buzzzzyyyyyyyzzzzzzzzz.........snoooooorrrrrrrrrreee. (Falls off of chair and is rudely awoken by the thud). Ok...I am back. It was hard to climb back up on my chair, with my bad knees and all, but good to know with my brother Dennis's new theory of LBS, I now know why my knees are the way they are....lol. But personally, I think his theory is heavier on the BS than the LBS...te he. Anyway, this past week was about the same as usual. Teach, eat, sleep...teach eat, sleep etc.

Jamie and Andrew were here last night and are here today and are doing well. Jamie has a new email address and looks forward to hearing back from his uncles and aunts. Ahhhhhhh....my son is growing up...has his own email account. Why I remember when he was just a twinkle in my eye...lol

So Gary, reading your blog, youse guys are going to be around the Tishomingo area for the Thanksgiving Break. That will be GREAT!!! As I have Jamie and Andrew from Weds eve to Sunday for the the Thanksgiving break. Sounds like great timing...unless you lolly-gag around other parts of the States for toooo long...

Well I must get back to J and A and play around of Mario Golf with them. Nintendo golf is a great way to get my exercise in....lol. Bye for now.

Travels of Gary & Carolyn
Hi I am here to "for heaven's sake" update my blogspot....lol

Not really much new here to blog about, I being the only brother to still be a working stiff, not much of that leisure class time to blog....lol. But I will try and make some time to blog more.

I am glad Mom is doing well and back at her suite. I will call her Sunday and talk to her on the phone. Jamie and Andrew are doing well. I took them trick or treating on Halloween. And, as per usual they had a good time. Catherine is apparently taking them to have their pictures done and I will send or email some when she gives me some.

Let's see.........hmmmmmm......as far as other news goes around here....not much. Had a visiting clay artist, come to the art dept yesterday and he did a good job demonstrating his art, his way of throwing clay on the wheel, and his method of raku firing. I am sure my students that attended will all be making piles of new stuff in his style starting next week. Ahhh.....the impressionable youth of today....lol.....good to see that it really sparked some fire in most of them.

Well, Jamie and Andrew are here and must tend to them. My new sutra will be..."I must blog more often.....I must blog more often.....I must blog more often....".....later........

Well I am back in Oklahoma and back to a pile of work-to-do on my desk at school. By the looks of it, I need another holiday....lol. I had a very good trip to Winnipeg. Dennis and Cathi, as per usual, were gracious hosts. It was great to see Mom, Margot and Joel, and Kevin. It was too bad that Kim had to work.
Jamie and Andrew are doing well. They are going to a halloween party this evening at one of their friend's place. I bet they have a 'spooky' time.
I hope all goes well with Mom. I will be thinking positive thoughts about her.
Take care all....and I will try to blog more often.

Well I am just about finished that poster/mailer/brochure for the art council. Meet with the president tomorrow and the printers and should be able to finalize it. Ahhhh.....the joys of volunteerism...lol.

Took down J and A's swimming pool today...they have not swam in it for a few weeks. Before taking it down, Jamie confirmed it was toooooo cold to use anymore when he dunked his head in the cold water. Kids!....Just have to see for themselves......The joys of self exploration. Should never lose that notion as an adult. I guess we all have that inner child inside us...and should probably let him/her out more often to play.

Jamie has lost a couple more baby teeth. I joked with him that he looks more like a real bubba now.......lol......he knew I was just teasing him. He is still as cute as ever. Andrew is enjoying preK....especially when he is not getting in trouble. He is a different cut of cloth than Jamie. He has a mind of his own and has a bit of trouble not listening in school. But he is still just 4 and is bright little guy.

Well better get laundry done and prepare for school tomorrow.

Quote of the Day:
If you want to find a deeper meaning in your life, you can't find it in the opinions or the beliefs that have been handed to you. You have to go to that place within yourself. -Wayne Dyer-

Hi, Here is the website address for the art dept. http://www.sosu.edu/departments/art It has been a nice albeit rainy day here. Taught at the lifestyle center this morning and had a good group. I teach a clay workshop there about once a month when they get a new group of guests. They seem to usually enjoy it and gets their minds off their health problems. I like doing it, plus they pay me well to do it.....lol.
Time to pay some bills, yuck. Oh well have to do what you have to do.

Well another week has blown by......Hard to believe it is Saturday again. I seem to not have time to blog during the week. Jamie and Andrew are here for visitation and are doing well. Playing together and laughing. They do get along quite well. They have infectious laughs.....lolololol...as they are laughing as I type. Poor cat, Smokie, is the basis for the laughter. She is getting manhandled for no apparent good reason.

School is getting back to normal with Gleny back at work. My classes are going well and a few students are doing some surprizingly creative things. Nice to see. I need to take some pics of the works in progress and document to the art dept website.

The poster, mailer, and website I created was well received by the rest of the board members at our meeting last week. So my time was not wasted on those efforts.

Well I need to go make dinner and feed these guys.

Yahoo!
Ahhhh.........Sunday....the day of rest, time to reflect on the past week and start to perceive what the week ahead has in store. Well it has been quite a week at work, Gleny's (art department chair aka my boss) sister passed away suddenly from a brain aneurism. Very sad. Gleny was gone most of the week, as her sister resided in Cincinatti, which left Greg (art historian) and myself to hold down the artistic fort. Glenda, (not to be confused with Gleny), the art department secretary has been in and out of the art dept very infrequently, as her husband is gravely ill with some sort of intestinal cancer....a very slow and agonizing way to go. From this perspective it does not seem like a banner year for life and merriment at the art ranch.
Along with teaching and preparing for my regular studio and lecture classes, I have been keeping busy with learning more about computer graphics and the like. I did a couple of logos on Photoshop with some 'dazzling' effects'. I will use them at some point on the art dept. website. Computers certainly seem to have become an overwhelming influence on myself and what I do. I am sure many others can concur.
In the midst of all this, I managed to throw several large pots, six to be exact. Very nice to get my hands back in clay for my own enjoyment. I have a number of shows coming up and I need to get some new work done. So I need to get my butt in gear. I have a sculpture, which I started last summer, which I need to complete, and I need to do several more. Ahhhh.....the distant memories of grad school......when I did as much artwork in few months as I seem to do in a few years now.
As I type, Jamie and Andrew are playing co-operatively on the Gamecube. They are such a pleasure to have around. I have been blessed with 2 very good sons.
As for next week, Gleny will be gone Monday to Memphis for her sister's services. My classes seem to going along smoothly, not too much bitching from my students from being overworked. I have to get a poster/brochure/mailer finished for local art council in which I am a board member. I have most of it together, just need to work on the finishing touchs, unless of course they hate it and I have to start over...lol. Hell they better like it....what do they want from volunteer labor.

To rectify a complaint with regards to the lack of creativity of my blog site, I have now renamed it.

Well thanks to my brothers, I have started to Blog. Now I guess I have to think of something to blog about. Gosh, it is fun using a new verb....wonder when it will show up in Webster's......hmmmmm. Wellll........here it is Saturday and I am about to learn and do more stuff on Photoshop, Pagemaker and Illustrator. Ahhhh....the world of Adobe. Fortunately, I really enjoy trying to figure out and use these computer programs. I have been putting what I have learned to good use. making brochures, postcards and mailers for the art department.
Well enough about that, I have Jamie and Andrew this evening and tomorrow for visitation and as usual, look forward to their being here. They are growing so fast, hard to believe.
Well I best get started on them there graphics.