A few photos from my sitting with Erin. Katie joined us, too.

If you're a band that I've photographed or just someone who enjoys and wants to support my work, then please add my banner to your page.

<a href="http://www.myspace.com/artirwin79"><img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/artirwin79/CONCERTS/AIP-Banner.jpg"></a>

Thanks!

Art

To anyone and everyone who is planning on getting a tattoo soon or who already has tattoos:

Art Irwin Photography would love to photograph you FOR FREE if you're planning on getting a tattoo.

I, Art Irwin, am working on a series of "before & after" shots of people & their tats. Come to my studio before you get your tat and then again after your tat has healed. I will capture similar portraits both times just for the honor of having you in my portfolio!

And if you already have tattoos, you're welcome to enjoy this offer as well. I'm currently looking to create a large portfolio of ORIGINAL and interesting tattoos.

Spread the word...

Art

As anyone who's visited my page recently can see, my concerts slideshow is constantly changing. The changes are a testament to the all of the wonderful local bands I've discovered and photographed recently.

Keep coming back not only to see continued additions to my portfolio but also to hear the great music I discover through my work.

I've promoted Jade of Days shamelessly over the last year, so now I hope you'll endulge me as I broaden our horizons. PLEASE listen to all the bands below by clicking the links both here and on my page. I'd like to start you off with a sweet song by Silver Griffin which you can enjoy as you watch the recently updated slideshows on my page.

Also continue to check the Concerts page on artirwin.com for shots from the latest shows all around the Bay Area.

Now... listen to some great music, and add be sure to check out The Scene Is Not Dead for an updated calendar of local shows.

Thanks to:
Jade of Days:  myspace.com/jadeofdaysmusic
Relapse:  myspace.com/relapsezrp
Dirty Bangs:  myspace.com/dirtybangs
My Monster:  myspace.com/mymonster
Silver Griffin:  myspace.com/silvergriffinmusic
Atomic Mint:  myspace.com/atomicmint
Phoenix Rising:  myspace.com/aphoenixrises
Point 3:  myspace.com/point3
Amotus:  myspace.com/amotus
Letters Make Words:  myspace.com/lettersmakewords
The Cyn Project:  myspace.com/thecynproject
SLED:  myspace.com/sled
Suffertree:  myspace.com/suffertreemusic
The SSP:  myspace.com/thessp

OK... I've posted photos from the party at Erin, Shelly & Lisa's place on my website, but you can't browse to them. The only way to get there is to paste the following link into your address bar. If you think you're going to want to revisit these then bookmark the page, ok? OK. Here you go:

http://www.artirwin.com/esl20060930.htm

Or you can just view the slideshow below...

Thanks for hosting the party, ladies!

Most of you know that I listen to a wide variety of music, so it should come as no surprise to you all that I'm currently addicted to a song that a huge percentage of you have probably never heard.

The song is called "When You Live" by Damone.

If you haven't heard Damone yet, be sure to check out their myspace page and their website. They're a kick-ass throwback to rock's hayday with a talented and beautiful young female singer named Noelle LeBlanc and guitar licks reminiscent of Motley Crue and Skid Row.

Like true headbanging rockers, though, they have a soft side. It's most beautifully illustrated in "When You Live" as Noelle offers up the chorus that has been running through my head for days:

"When you live, live with your soul, not with your time
When you love, love with your heart, not with your mind
When you want to be something the world can't define
Open up your eyes"

Here are the full song lyrics and some pictures of the band:

GONE by Pearl Jam

No more upset mornings
No more trying evenings
It's the American Dream I am disbelieving.

When the gas in my tank feels like money in the bank
Im gonna blow it all this time, take me one last ride.

The lights of the city, they only look good when Im speeding
I wanna leave em all behind me because this time Im gone
Gone, going for it all this time, gone.

In the far off distance
As my taillights fade
No one to witness but they will someday

Feel like a question is forming
And the answers
I will be what I could be
Once I get out of this town.

The lights of this city
Theyve lost all of their feeling
I wanna leave em all behind me because this time Im gone
Gone, going for it all, this time Im gone

Nothing is everything
Ill have it all
If nothing is everything then I will have it all.
Im gone.

Some day I'm moving to Costa Rica.

You know I'm bored at work because I did a HUGE, long personality survey thingie. Here's what I found out about my ideal "mate":

Autonomy: You will be best matched with someone who wants to know all of the important things about your past. She'll be equally interested in living in the present and planning a future. She won't need to know every detail about your life or every thought that crosses your mind. She's the kind of person who sees herself as part of a couple but still maintains her independence and identity.

Vitality and Security: You need a woman who is honest and reliable. She has a good understanding of what it takes to make a relationship work over the long haul. She wants to build a relationship that will last but doesn't need you for constant support.

Communication: Your ideal companion is a woman who can express herself and also listen to others. Friends and family may describe her as the kind of person who isn't overbearing. She'll enjoy talking to you but won't pry too deep if you're not in the mood for conversation.

Conflict Resolution: You'll be happiest with someone who isn't argumentative. Others say she's the kind of person who has no enemies because she's a diplomat. When misunderstandings do arise, she is more concerned about resolving the conflict than winning the fight.

Humor: Your ideal mate is the kind of person who entertains herself and others with jokes and observations about everyday life. She can generally see the humor in almost any situation, like people who contradict themselves or even a trip to the doctor. She loves a good joke and enjoys humor, whether stand-up acts, satire or comics.

Romantic Passion: Your ideal mate is generally excited at the idea of falling in love. She's likely to light up when she sees her boyfriend, take pleasure in cuddling and enjoy public displays of affection. She can talk easily to her partner about her romantic feelings.

Adaptability: Your ideal mate is someone who can think outside the box when faced with a problem. She's able to think of creative ways to solve a problem or resolve an argument. She tries to approach challenges with an open mind so that she's not tied to conventional solutions. Friends generally describe her as the kind of person who is calm in a crisis.

Emotional Energy: You'll be happiest with a woman who's outgoing and vivacious but doesn't need to always be on the move. She'd generally rather do something than talk about it, whether it's a new hobby or a project at work.

Dominance: You are best suited to someone who respects your competitive nature and shares some of the same thirst for victory. She generally goes out of her way to make sure she wins, whether it's finding the bargain shopping or excelling in the business world. Her friends describe her as someone who doesn't back down easily.

Sociability: You'll be happiest with a woman who is outgoing and drawn to new people. She likes talking to people, whether it's discussing a movie with a close friend or the weather with a stranger on the street. Like you, she enjoys meeting new people.

Artistic Passion: You are best suited to a woman who has the soul of an artist. She seeks out creative outlets, like writing, painting or singing. She's expressive, imaginative and inventive. She has a distinct sense of style.

Intellect: Your ideal mate is creative, rational and quick-witted. She generally makes decisions by gathering the relevant data, putting it into context and weighing the options. Other people might see her as someone who "overthinks" life, but she thinks it's important to come to logically supported conclusions. She has a wide variety of interests, such as science, philosophy and history.

Curiosity: You will be well matched with a woman who likes to understand the world around her. She's generally inquisitive and knowledgeable about subjects that pertain to her life, but if she's not interested in an issue she probably won't feel compelled to read up on it just to expand her knowledge.

Sexual Passion: Your ideal companion notices and appreciates her partner's sex appeal and has a high sex drive. Chemistry is important to her, and she wants a relationship that is filled with passion. She considers sexual compatibility to be an indicator of a relationship's strength.

Physical Energy: You are best suited to someone who likes to stay active but doesn't overdo it. She likes to stay in shape, but it isn't always at the top of her list of things to do. Friends describe her as the kind of person who signs up for a gym membership but then has to remind herself to actually go. She's generally energetic, but if a day or two go by without a workout, she's not going to complain.

Appearance: You are most compatible with a woman who wants to look good but doesn't obsess over it. She will appreciate the time and effort you put into your appearance and be happy with the end result. Ultimately, however, she is more concerned with who you are than what you look like.

Self-Concept: Your ideal match is someone who is self-assured, caring and open. She believes in herself, so she doesn't constantly try to prove that she's perfect. She generally doesn't get defensive when people make a suggestion, whether it's a critique from a coworker or a family member. She bounces back quickly when faced with a challenge or setback.

Anger Management: Your ideal mate generally won't seek revenge against her enemies. She's the kind of person who will probably understand if you lose your temper on occasion as long as you don't get too out of control.

Emotional Status: You are best suited to a woman who is generally happy and hopeful for the future. There are things in her life she'd like to improve, but she generally has faith that she'll attain her goals. She's not the type of person to overreact when she has a problem. 

Obstreperousness: Your ideal mate is someone who isn't afraid to voice her opinion and appreciates the fact that you do the same. She won't be surprised if you disagree with her or argue your position. Her friends would probably describe her as the type of person who's more concerned with being right than just having everyone like her. Like you, she may get irritated when others disagree with her.

Mood Management: You are most compatible with someone who avoids taking bad moods out on others. She knows that everyone has their moody days, so she won't overreact when you're irritable. When she's in a foul mood, she'll usually make sure she doesn't take it out on others.

Family Background: Your ideal mate is someone who had a good childhood. Like most people, her family had problems, but it was healthy overall. Her expectations of relationship are realistic, and she will understand if you don't always get along with your family.

Family Goals: Your ideal mate shares your desires to start a new family and experience the joys of parenthood. She loves kids and expects that they will play a central role in her life.

Altruism: Your ideal mate is the kind of person who cares about helping strangers but who might not spend a lot of her time doing so. She is someone who would help her friends if they asked her to. With encouragement, she might join efforts to help strangers, whether it's a canned food drive or a charity fundraiser.

So... as if it wasn't bad enough that my car was in the shop for five days a week ago... now it's gonna have to go back in!

It's not its fault or my fault even. I was just parked outside of a friend's house when he came in and said sheepishly, "Um... I have bad news. I just ran into your car."

Yep! It was rear end of Lexus RX 300 meets driver's side of Volkswagen Jetta. All I'm sayin' is that he must have been in a hurry to have caused this much damage from backing his SUV into my parked car.

Check it out:

I haven't written poetry since high school, but maybe that's just because I haven't been inspired. Tonight, though, I felt that this poem was the only way I could express how I feel at this very moment.

AS THE CROW FLIES
by Art Irwin

tonight my heart is blackened
by a sorrow not my own
like the strings that pulled me higher
have been severed by his scorn

it's the cruelest form of torture
when love's tie once held you tight
to be left without a reason
and to lose without a fight

across these mired cities
i hear your muted cries
they come to me as swiftly
as the crow flies

i will offer you my comfort
i will sing you lullabies
i will come to you as swiftly
as the crow flies

"Santa Clara Soccer" is dressed in flashy black-and-white matching uniforms as if this were a Saturday afternoon collegiate match, but this is a Friday night recreational game at Off the Wall Soccer with an 11:25 PM start time.

Regardless, these ex-Santa Clara University soccer players have their cheering section in tow and fully expect to win. After all, they've won their last two indoor soccer games by an average of more than 15 goals.

Why, then, are they losing 5-3 against a rag-tag group of players with their team name incorrectly screened onto the front of their white t-shirts? The Buca Boyz, however, care less about the lettering that reads "Buca Boy's" than they do about hustling for every ball and taking shots at every opportunity. It's been a contentious match, but it would be an exaggeration to proclaim it a dirty contest.

That's why it is so surprising when a seemingly unprovoked #19 in a black jersey wheels around, abandoning the ball he was speedily directing down the right side of the field, and steps into a straight right-hand punch that landed squarely on the right eyebrow of #12 in a white t-shirt.

That #12 was me, and I'm sure you're wondering what I said to #19 that deserved an unforeseen punch, an ambulance ride, multiple internal stitches and 9 external stitches. I'll tell you.

"You gotta watch out for those rocks," I quipped as #19 stumbled over what appeared to be a fantom rock on the flawless FieldTurf surface.

It was a simple joke, a tame taunt compared to most of what is said and done on a soccer field during close contests, but #19 (perhaps frustrated by his team's inability to dominate my team?) apparently found it offensive.

He had a night in jail to think it over. Over 30 witnesses gave carbon copy statements to the police who arrested him when I agreed to press charges.

Stay tuned for further developments.

I lasted 26 years and five months without needing surgery, but now I'll be going under the knife twice in the span of six months.

I got trampled by a horse when I was 11 and came away from it with stitches in my head and a cast on my left arm, but I didn't need surgery.

I crashed my Honda 185 XL motorbike when I was 13 and came away with a temporary cast on my left wrist, but I didn't need surgery.

I've torn ligaments in both my ankles and sprained them both playing basketball, volleyball and soccer - but I didn't need surgery.

I got rear-ended in rush hour traffic by a dumbass who couldn't master the simultaneous use of a cell phone and the diamond lane (illegally), but even an impact at a 60 mile per hour speed difference didn't put me in an O.R.

Well... not quite.

Four years after that accident I had a seemingly tame wipe-out on my second day learning to snowboard, and it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back - actually, my back. The accident ruptured the L4-L5 disc in my lower back that had been herniated in my car accident. I spent months in excruciating pain while my doctors put me through the necessary steps to determine if I should have surgery. Ultimately, I was operated on by Dr. Nomi Khan at Stanford Medical Center on June 9, 2005.

In the weeks that followed the surgery I got a call from my primary car physician, Dr. Floyd. She wanted me to get an ultrasound of my liver because of some things that turned up in my pre-op blood work. I put off the ultrasound until after I was back at work, probably because I dreaded what the results would yield.

To make a long story - well - at least a little shorter, I will be having my gall bladder removed at Stanford Medical Center on Monday, November 21st.

I have no vacation or sick time left, and I'm still trying to recover financially from earning only disability income for four and a half months surrounding my back surgery... so I scheduled my surgery for the week of Thanksgiving to minimize the amount of unpaid time I have to take off from work.

I hope that you, my friends, will now understand why I've been a bit of a recluse (or even a hermit) recently.

April 2, 2005 to November 27, 2005 may be one of the most trying chapters in my all-too-interesting life, so if you pray - please pray, and if you hope - please hope - that I will make it through (as Eminem said) "with level head in tact."