tony clennell on mon 27 aug 12
James: Not to get this one started over and over again and make Mel's
eyes roll but I don't buy into the American dream that everyone that
works hard enough will be successful. As the margin between those that
have and those that don't widens you better live in your walled
communities and be packin'. And we in the arts that chose it early
should have postponed this lifestyle choice in order to make more
money so we could do it comfortably later and not be grumpy.
It was the right choice for me. It has been very hard but I don't
think I could have succeeded at anything more than I have at clay. I
love my work. I am surrounded by art, books, good food and friends.
Unlike you I have made a living firing pots not people. Because I
live close to the bone I help and respect the street people around.
One of the many reasons I respect what John B is doing. Yep, I'm the
guy that puts change in the buskers hats, give my street people the
bottles with deposits on them, give steel and metal to the scrap guy
that patrols our neighbourhood. Like the busker said to me when I
threw a buck in his hat- " Back atcha!" He told Sheila when he gets
famous we get front row seat. I ain't holding my breath but it was a
nice sentiment.
Ciao,
Tony
--
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
Dannon Rhudy on mon 27 aug 12
Tony - it is not the American dream that everyone who works hard
enough will be successful (whatever that might mean). The American
dream is that everyone has an OPPORTUNITY to work hard and be successful.
It's not about outcome. It's about a chance. It's about the PURSUIT.
There's no guarantee that folks will be successful, or happy. But
there is a guarantee (so far) that we have the right to TRY to be
either or both.
Sounds to me from what you say that you are in fact successful.
If you are surrounded by things and people you love - no worries.
best, as always - Dannon
Tony said:
Not to get this one started over and over again and make Mel's
eyes roll but I don't buy into the American dream that everyone that
works hard enough will be successful.....
tony clennell on mon 27 aug 12
Apologies to James. That was a low blow about firing people instead of
pots. I will show the decency to man up.
I do all my Clayart business on list. I keep it there and if I have
learned anything in 20 years of this list is that it is best to go to
bed and dream creative thoughts and not what you're going to r say on
Clayart in the morning. I also don't appreciate off list posts full of
f-bombs.
I have endured reading the long posts of Kelly (har, har) for all
these many years because I always find in there one or more things
that make me think.
Here is from the last paragraph of her response to us James
"I do think we have to stand back sometimes and do a gut-check to
determine whether we're too in love with the battle to accept the
peace treaty." Not sure if this was to John B to bury that damn
hatchet he's been carrying for John or Ron or was it to you or me. In
any case I think it wise. Sorry for the hit under the belt. Go to bed
and sleep tight as I will.
t
On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 1:45 PM, tony clennell wr=
ote:
> James: Not to get this one started over and over again and make Mel's
> eyes roll but I don't buy into the American dream that everyone that
> works hard enough will be successful. As the margin between those that
> have and those that don't widens you better live in your walled
> communities and be packin'. And we in the arts that chose it early
> should have postponed this lifestyle choice in order to make more
> money so we could do it comfortably later and not be grumpy.
> It was the right choice for me. It has been very hard but I don't
> think I could have succeeded at anything more than I have at clay. I
> love my work. I am surrounded by art, books, good food and friends.
> Unlike you I have made a living firing pots not people. Because I
> live close to the bone I help and respect the street people around.
> One of the many reasons I respect what John B is doing. Yep, I'm the
> guy that puts change in the buskers hats, give my street people the
> bottles with deposits on them, give steel and metal to the scrap guy
> that patrols our neighbourhood. Like the busker said to me when I
> threw a buck in his hat- " Back atcha!" He told Sheila when he gets
> famous we get front row seat. I ain't holding my breath but it was a
> nice sentiment.
> Ciao,
> Tony
>
> --
>
>
> http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
--
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
Gayle Bair on mon 27 aug 12
Tony,
Funny you mentioned putting $ in the buskers hats.
Saturday at the Farmers Market as things were winding down a guy walks
into my booth. He was filthy... blackened fingernails, dirty clothes, wild
unwashed hair, thin as a rail and only 2 visible blackened teeth in his
mouth. He asked about my pottery then started to tell me about his work and
wanted to show it to me. He pulled a small drawing tablet out of his filthy
backpack he then opened it to a page with a stunning pen and ink drawing.
He asked about getting into pottery. I mentioned that a lot of equipment is
needed and tried to gently let him know he is doing exactly what he should
be doing and using. He agreed and walked on. Oh and may I add..... his
demeanor was quite pleasant.
I was already in tear-down mode and regret I didn't slide him a few bucks.
My kids remember when we lived outside the Philadelphia area and would
drive to the Franklin Institute we would bring additional food and clothing
for the homeless we encountered on the street. I have never forgotten how
hard it to be poor! One of my best friends calls me a cheap-cheapie... she
can do that because she's been there and is one too!
Gayle
Gayle Bair Pottery
gayle@claybair.com
www.claybair.com
On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 10:45 AM, tony clennell wr=
ote:
> James: Not to get this one started over and over again and make Mel's
> eyes roll but I don't buy into the American dream that everyone that
> works hard enough will be successful. As the margin between those that
> have and those that don't widens you better live in your walled
> communities and be packin'. And we in the arts that chose it early
> should have postponed this lifestyle choice in order to make more
> money so we could do it comfortably later and not be grumpy.
> It was the right choice for me. It has been very hard but I don't
> think I could have succeeded at anything more than I have at clay. I
> love my work. I am surrounded by art, books, good food and friends.
> Unlike you I have made a living firing pots not people. Because I
> live close to the bone I help and respect the street people around.
> One of the many reasons I respect what John B is doing. Yep, I'm the
> guy that puts change in the buskers hats, give my street people the
> bottles with deposits on them, give steel and metal to the scrap guy
> that patrols our neighbourhood. Like the busker said to me when I
> threw a buck in his hat- " Back atcha!" He told Sheila when he gets
> famous we get front row seat. I ain't holding my breath but it was a
> nice sentiment.
> Ciao,
> Tony
>
> --
>
>
> http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
>
veenaraghavan@cs.com on tue 28 aug 12
Hi Dannon,
That is my interpretation of the American Dream. It is to me one of the bes=
=3D
t things about life in the USA, that everyone has the opportunity. This is =
=3D
not the case in so many countries, and we should really appreciate how much=
=3D
this means, along with some other very wonderful aspects of life in this c=
=3D
ountry. I could go on at length, but I will spare everyone!
Veena
Tony - it is not the American dream that everyone who works hard
enough will be successful (whatever that might mean). The American
dream is that everyone has an OPPORTUNITY to work hard and be successful.
It's not about outcome. It's about a chance. It's about the PURSUIT.
There's no guarantee that folks will be successful, or happy. But
there is a guarantee (so far) that we have the right to TRY to be
either or both.
Sounds to me from what you say that you are in fact successful.
If you are surrounded by things and people you love - no worries.
best, as always - Dannon
veenaraghavan@cs.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Dannon Rhudy
To: Clayart
Sent: Tue, Aug 28, 2012 4:23 pm
Subject: Re: Making Mel's Eyes Roll
Tony - it is not the American dream that everyone who works hard
enough will be successful (whatever that might mean). The American
dream is that everyone has an OPPORTUNITY to work hard and be successful.
It's not about outcome. It's about a chance. It's about the PURSUIT.
There's no guarantee that folks will be successful, or happy. But
there is a guarantee (so far) that we have the right to TRY to be
either or both.
Sounds to me from what you say that you are in fact successful.
If you are surrounded by things and people you love - no worries.
best, as always - Dannon
Tony said:
Not to get this one started over and over again and make Mel's
eyes roll but I don't buy into the American dream that everyone that
works hard enough will be successful.....
=3D20
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