His codename was Alpha-Bravo-Delta, and he was destined to become an unsung hero.
Alpha was packed tightly into a pasteboard tube at a factory in China. He really wanted to hang around for a few more weeks so he could go to the Beijing Olympics, but when Headquarters gives orders, they are not to be ignored.
So, in he went, along with some other stuff like gunpowder, some wads of paper, etc. And of course, his trusty Parachute. He rode for weeks on the choppy Pacific ocean in a cargo ship, then for weeks on bumpy interstate highways in a semi-trailer until finally he stopped, and he waited there in the dark tube, hoping beyond hope that he could get out as soon as possible so he could make it to his buddies' 4th of July celebration.
Little did he know, that he was headed for the most explosive of ALL 4th of July celebrations, and that he was to be part of the entertainment. Feeling that the tube was moving, he sensed that it was almost time to fulfill his destiny (whatever that was, he wasn't sure). He began to wonder if he was really cut out to be a paratrooper. Could he live up to his noble title of Alpha-Bravo-Delta, Defender of Justice, Friend of the Helpless? Or would he disgrace his fireworks manufacturer (Headquarters) and disappoint everyone watching by not working correctly?
But, he had little time to worry, for at that moment with an incredible explosion, he rocketed into the sky, and there, for one minute, he knew what he was made for. His parachute opened perfectly, he sailed through the air with the wind in his face, and all that was within him screamed: "I AM A PARACHUTE MAN!!" And then with a jolt, he was tangled in a powerline, and, well, I leave it to you dear reader, to decide the ultimate fate of our brave hero, Alpha.
But whatever you decide, remember that behind every ear-pounding explosion, every rocket's red glare, behind every starburst of sparks, there are little Parachute men who give their all for your happiness. Happy Landing, Alpha.
Yesterday I went to our local municipal airport to see a Douglas DC3.
First designed and built in the 1930's, this plane is truly a work of art, with its gentle, but modern lines, and its patriotic paint job.
We got to see it take off and land, but we didn't ride it (seats cost $150-- I think I'll pass.) When the engines cranked, billowing clouds of exhaust came sputtering out, but the engines weren't very loud, and we were standing right next to it (behind a chainlink fence).
Here I am dwarfed by the art-deco American Airlines logo on the side. I'm not sure why I'm not smiling. I was really tired yesterday (I got up at 5:30 and went to bed at 11:30 on Friday). Plus my shoulder was hurting. But I was having a good time. Honest!
The day was fantastically cool & blustery with grey cloudy skies and gusts of wind that tousled your hair. Seeing that big old plane take off made you really think about the miracle of flight. Back in the old days of flight, it was sort of this risky, adrenaline-laced, "are we going to make it?" kind of thing. Everything is aluminum and wood. It's just cool.
Nowadays think of flying, and you come up with pictures of security checkpoints, taking off your shoes, and gargantuan jetliners that make flying look like it never took any thought at all.
Back then the skies were a frontier. And 'aviator' was the equivalent of 'hero'.
Huzzah for the DC3! (Even though it's not rocket powered!)
Actually, this one has little to do with rockets, but it does explode. I drew it a few weeks ago on a whim. And no, I didn't draw it from real life. Just to put your mind at ease, I've never seen a time bomb before.
July the 4th is coming up soon. Bearing that in mind, I drew this little doodle the other day.
To challenge my creativity, and to honor our Patriotic Holiday, I will be posting rocket-inspired pictures here until the Fourth. I know, I know... It's crazy. But how am I going to become a great artist if I can't draw rockets? You draw some too, and then we can compare notes. The drawing above was done with... pencil of course. Hope you like it.
I went to the grocery store today and bought like 12 liters of soft drinks ahead of time for the picnic we're having at my house on the Fourth. It took me forever to decide what to get, because all I really like is Coca-Cola. And Sprite. Oh, and Dr. Pepper. Okay, so I got all three. It was really alot to carry so I threw them in a shopping cart and checked out, even though it felt strange to be carting around just soft drinks. Oh well.
I'm looking forward to the picnic. Maybe it'll be even more fun than last year. With more Rocket Power I hope!
Well, it has been an uncommonly busy month, and in case you haven't noticed, I haven't posted in a while. So, I give you a meager sampling of what has been going on in my neck of the forest. I have sent off an application to an art camp (which will be held this summer), and I received my confirmation packet the other day. I'm excited. Do I sound excited? Okay, Okay. I'm EXCITED!!! That better? Good. I purchased my new, glossy white, MacBook in April, and trust me, all the ads, all the hype -- they aren't kidding. Macs are great, and the PC is a thing of the past in my humble opinion. I'm still trying waiting on getting my graphics pipeline set up, (e.g. Photoshop and PainterX), but I'm still learning the Mac OS, which takes a while. I have too many ideas, I think, and that makes me not want to start on any of them. Let me explain. I want to write a steampunk novel trilogy, so I have sort of started on it. But I have trouble making myself sit down and write. I really need to practice drawing, and start learning to paint, but I just don't... well... do it! I need to prioritize BAD. I'll let you know in fifty years if anything gets started on the trilogy thing. In the meantime, Stay tuned! I am reading a lot though. I finished reading C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity the other day, and it is fabulous. You really need to read it, because he explains everything about the "basics" of the Christian faith in a plain, conversational, and at times very British, way. I need to get back to my book list, but until then, keep reading. It is good for your brain. Oh, I'm also reading an abridged version of some of Shakespeare's plays, and I finished The Wednesday Letters the other week too. Whew, you didn't know I did so much did you? I have also been reading the book of First and Second Kings in my daily devotions. I absolutely love the stories about Elijah. He is extremely devout, and he can care less about idols. I really want to do a graphic novel someday, illustrating some of the Old Testament battles and heroes. No Manga though. Just real, colorful, Photoshop-ed drawings. And then, to top it all off, I got my braces taken off yesterday!! {Dub in huge orchestral fanfare} No I'm not posting a picture. But it is really great to be free from those metallic fangs. Sorry for not posting in a while. Do me a favor. Read first Kings. Then Second Kings. Then illustrate them. Or I can. When I get time. Give Jesus the preeminence. ---misterbingley
A blog by a Christian teen for Christian teens covering intellectual categories & topics, such as the arts, the Bible, and living richly in Christ. Live richly!
Copyright (C)2008 Will Kelly.
July the 4th is coming up soon. Bearing that in mind, I drew this little doodle the other day.
