Wheat Three Kings: A (Rightfully) Lost Christmas Story
Wheat three kings set out from Kansas, following a great glowing scythe in the sky. When they arrived at Bethlehem and beheld the Christ-child, they bowed down in worship. But they were dismissed by Mary when they presented their gifts. “Wheat germ? What kind of gift is that for a child?” she said, tears welling up in...
“A Light Goes On”: A FREE Holiday Art + Music Compilation for the Naughty & Nice
My friend Sam Billen has orchestrated yet another fantastic holiday project this year. It’s called “A Light Goes On,” and it is a synthesis of art and music that pairs musicians’ Christmas songs with visuals that likewise celebrate the festive season. It features works by the ever whimsical and wonderful Half-Handed Cloud, Japan’s The Tenniscoats,...
Christmas Chrome: Audio of CTJ & His Sister Alyssa at Ages 6 and 2, Respectively
If you really follow my blog (I don’t, but you might), you’ll know I ran this exactly a year ago today. But I figure a rerun is acceptable on occasions such as these, when new parenthood has left my eyes bloodshot, my brain beleaguered, my hair prematurely gray. I exaggerate: Baby Evie is a delight....
CTJ Adds Extra Ham to Bethlehem: New Christmas Cartoon
Yes folks, that is indeed She-Ra masquerading as the Angel of the Lord. A good enough reason for me to say “Fear not!” unto you. The shepherds and cow below belong to a nativity scene my family used to set out each December when I was a child. I often played with the figurines as...
I Met My Wife Because I Made a Christmas Record: Download the LP for FREE
In the summer of 2004, my friends Matt and Rebecca Fillingham gave me a copy of a Christmas album they made together as husband and wife. Being perpetually nine-years-old in my mind, my 25-year-old self listened to it and instantly replied, “I want to make a Christmas record, too!” That fall, beginning in early October,...
CTJ Presents “Dark Potential: A Virtual Gallery by Artist Megan Frauenhoffer”
In 2004, I had the privilege of having a tremendously talented young artist in my public speaking class, although I did not know it at the time. Megan Frauenhoffer was quiet, reserved, and a good student. Like most of her peers, public speaking made her visibly nervous. But buried in her head were innumerable images...
Difficult to Wine About Such Grape People!: Press Update
Danny J. Gibson (@DJGKCMOUSA) has become the (slightly burnt) toast of the Kansas City art scene this fall. He’s been on KC’s NPR affiliate, KCUR, featured in The Pitch, celebrated in New York City’s Felt & Wire, interviewed at length on one of @BARRR‘s A. D. D. Podcasts, and celebrated on numerous blogs as well. Just when Danny...
There is a (Christmas) Light That Never Goes Out (i.e. If Morrissey Were Santa Claus)
Lawrence’s own Mr. Sam Billen, whose excellent music can be downloaded here (some for free, some for next to nothing), is spearheading a project for the 2011 holiday season. He has invited me and Kansas City boy wonder Danny J. Gibson both to create art for it, and I have agreed to do so, even...
Rubblebucket Tours for “Omega La La” LP, Sings Omega Lullabye for Evie
I was already off work this week, attempting to help the wife keep our almost 3-week-old daughter from sabotaging sanity and sleep alike, but it was Rubblebucket that really made my week. It’s one thing to take perverse joy in the knowledge that your coworkers are handling all the “TPS reports” without you, and another...
Me and You and Terrence Malick and Miranda July: Guest Post by @Larryvillelife
Today’s guest blog is written by the mastermind behind the Larryville Chronicles blog, who prefers to remain anonymous, even though everyone in Lawrence knows who he is. Everyone in Lawrence also knows about his cultural sidekick, who happens to be invisible just like Harvey the Rabbit, which makes him more intriguing. Follow him on Twitter...
The Assassination of JF(Burger)K(ing): Meeting Doodle #242
I doodle during meetings at work in order to keep my mind from wandering. But sometimes my mind wanders into even weirder territory when the doodles begin to take shape. I still pay attention to the meeting, which explains some of the incoherence of the resulting doodles (i.e. see the inexplicable lower portion of a...
“Dancing On My Ashes” Contest Winners + Diapers Filled With (Fiendish) Melodies
Hi All, I’ve been quite busy lately, but please don’t think I’ve dropped off the face of the Earth. I have: a) Gotten a new job. Same business. Different position. Much less stressful. Much more suitable for a soon-to-be dad. b) Interviewed Mitch Easter, frontman for ’80s jangle-pop act Let’s Active and producer of...
A Radio Broadcast Featuring CTJ & DJG (Right-Click & Save Target)
Follow Me and Give Me Reason to Issue a Restraining Order