But sometimes paintings just happen. Ajax on the Kitchen Floor (24 X 48 inches).

Faithful readers will already know that I’m a liberal. But just to make it clear, I am a liberal with a neon pink capital “L” that you can see from space. I am a civil-libertarian, an authority-suspecting, e-waste recycling, workers-rights-supporting, gun-controlling, universal healthnik, who thinks it’s the government’s job to regulate corporate polluters and hedge funds, but not my womb. I think that gay people should be able to marry, that water-boarding is torture and ANWR should remain pristine. I am ashamed of the appallingly destructive, jingoistic and deeply stupid policies of the current imperial presidency and I yearn for some future secular world where — through the wisdom of universal compassion — war will be obsolete.

But these are complicated times and I am a complicated child of the world. I know things are rarely all good or all bad, and that the consequences of my own lucky existence radiate out from me, creating a complexity that I can affect, but can never control. (Were those my tax dollars that paid for the “consultants” at Abu Ghraib?) I know that the perfected pacifist society I dream of won’t be coming around in this lifetime. But, this is the lifetime that I have been dealt; I entered the field of time in a world where my species has divided itself into mega-tribes bristling with giga-death weapons. An arrangement in which everyone participates because — rail against it as we will — there is no alternative. No way out of civilization; no way off the globalized globe. There is no avoiding the contradictions of this life. It is impossible not to know that, in this and every moment, every human evil and every transcendent good exists simultaneously. There’s nothing for it, but to meet it all with as much love as I can muster and be grateful that I got such a lucky draw.

But I really didn’t have all that on my mind when, as a reporter in the graphics department at the Orange County Register during the first Gulf War, my job became a crash course in military technology and Jane’s Defence was regular reading as the editors ordered up their death-machine-of-the-day graphics. Knowing about the machines, their power and capabilities, was just my job, and I got to know them pretty well — from books. (more…)

To learn how it came to be, you’ll have to read the posts to come this weekend, but for now, get warmed up:

Read the always-sharp Edward Humes’ fact-packed op-ed from this morning’s Los Angeles Times to learn about John McCain’s shameful record of voting against veteran’s benefits, while blowing sunshine up their fatigues. Mendacity alert: if you’re allergic to hypocrisy, the facts on McCain’s voting record may give you an angry rash.

Earlier this month the New GI Bill passed the House and the Senate with broad bi-partisan support. Of course, Bush has vowed to veto. It is so easy to use the White House comment line to let the always-political Bush Administration know that America wants this bill signed. A real human will take your call and ask you what state you’re calling from. Then, one sentence will do the job: “I am calling to urge the President to sign the New G.I. Bill.” After a polite thank you from the operator, it will all be over. Call now, because the legislation is on the way to his desk. 202-456-1111. (This takes literally 90 seconds of your time.) Learn more about the new GI Bill here.

Wondering why you should care? Click here to read a californiaauthors.com excerpt from Ed’s terrific book, Over Here: How the G.I. Bill Transformed the American Dream, and learn about how the first G.I. Bill — the one that paid for my mom to attend college after her father was killed in the Pacific in WWII — created a new American renaissance. And couldn’t we all use a little renaissance now?

More unlikely-source militaria to come.

Think you have a tough job? Join the military. Here is my new desktop, made from a photo of a jet engine at the March Reserve Air Force Base, Airfest 2088. The Airfest is a type-o-rama of warnings and designations. This one seemed like just what I needed during the last days of the CaliforniaAuthors relaunch. Val and I have prepared a nifty Flickr picture gallery of these desktop images, suitable for use in your high-pressure job situation.

Visit the Flickr gallery, and if you see an image you’d like for your desktop, click the “all sizes” button above the image and download it to your computer. These images are available under a Creative Commons License, so download and enjoy!

We’re celebrating the re-launch with another cool book giveaway: Harry, Revised, the brand new novel by top LA litblogger, Mark Sarvas. Learn more about the book here. Then go over to californiaauthors and enter the drawing by sending us your e-mail address via the contact form, with the words Harry, Revised in the subject line. Enjoy! [Check out Mark’s great blog, The Elegant Variation, here.]

In other California book news, the official pub date for Donna’s book, Great Escapes: Southern California was May 5. On that day, the LAist gave it this sweet preview. Kevin Roderick also talked about the book on KCRW and at the renowned LA Observed. Learn more at Donna’s SoCal So Cool blog. Congratulations, Donna!

A day at the air show can leave you breathless, but too sun-drenched to blog — so we’ll have to let the picture do its thousand words. More on the March AFB Airfest 2008 to come — once we catch our breath.

1) Middendorf’s in Pass Manchac, Louisiana. You’ll never get a better fried seafood platter and its thin-filleted fried catfish — made with the same recipe since 1934 — is famous. I just read that its under new management since 2007, but the old-line staff is still in place and it seems like the new owner respects the menu and the history of the restaurant, so you should still be able to get the good stuff there.

2) UCM Museum in Abita Springs, Louisiana. A walk-in art installation where you can see the Bassigator among many other oddities. Exceptional place to stop for souvenirs. But since the whole place is a description-defying work of art, you’ll just have to go experience it to see what we mean. (Handily, Abita Springs is the home of the Abita Brewery — and my favorite beer is served up right there at the Abita Brew Pub. And, it’s just down the street from my mom’s house, where — if you are Mark and Michelle — she might hook you up with a shrimp po-boy from her favorite place (not on any map) Frabielli’s — the real deal with buttered french bread toasted just right.

3) If you happen to be on the long long Texas route and anywhere near Bourne, TX, don’t miss the Bear Moon Bakery and Cafe. I always stop here on my LA to New Orleans trips. When Laur and I were there in February of 2006, a baker displaced by Katrina was making killer king cake (in Texas?! who figured?) and lots of delicious goods are baked on-site, real espresso and yummy food made from fresh ingredients. Great breakfast. Reasonably-priced and cute.

Click here or on the map above to get a google map with links!