My Latest Paintings

Thought I would finally post my last two paintings. I had to wait 'til this last week as they were to be given as gifts and I had not yet shown them to the recipients (these recipients on occasion check my blog). Do not think that my generosity is exclusive to the recipients, nor does it apply to all of you who may feel that as a relative or acquaintance you merit a finely crafted original Jon Harty painting.

First and foremost, these were assignments for a class and because of a lack of storage space and funds they were given as gifts. The worthiness of the recipients is questionable (just kidding Mom and Shannon), but I am poor and since necessity is the mother of invention... To those of you who have not yet been blessed with a piece of artwork — don't give up hope.

Eventually the mood will strike me and I will come through. Keep in mind that I am a procrastinator and will put off anything that does not affect me physically or academically (sometimes even that does not stop me) so years could pass before you get anything. Clif - send me some pictures of the boys and I will start the procrastination process for you.

Grandpa Francis

My Grandpa Francis' D8H

Its Just a TV Show!

I have a guilty pleasure and it is called Stargate SG-1. Over the years I have watched an episode here and there but was never truly hooked. At the end of last year, during the Christmas break, I started to watch the show from the beginning on Hulu.com. After a couple of pretty cheesy seasons and mediocre acting I became hooked on the show. I have learned the characters names and if someone says Goa'uld or Teal’c I know exactly what they are talking about. I do not however learn or try to remember the technical terms and intricacies that accompany a science fiction series, nor do I care about them. I watch the show because it is good entertainment, albeit pretty goofy most of the time. I enjoy the goofiness and love it that McGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) is the star. I am still waiting for an episode where he is McGyver in some alternate universe.

Stargate SG-1 is not the only science fiction series I enjoy watching. Some others are: Star Trek and all of it’s spin-offs (except Enterprise, I never could get past the opening theme music), Battlestar Gallactica, Farscape, and Firefly (LOVED the movie as well). As most of you know one of these sci-fi series’ has quite a large and loyal (and sometimes extremely obsessive) fan base that goes back for many years. I did not however realize how obsessive the fans of SG-1 have become. The following are quotes from a discussion board about SG-1. Fan 1: “Doesn't it seem that it is not right to open the people of Tegrea up to the Goa'uld again?” Fan 2: “It's the only way they can get home, the people on the planet can always bury the gate again after the earth people use it.” Fan 3 “I think, too, with them having interesting technology, earth would have their back if they get attacked. It'll be a relationship among the planets, … so it's not like they went behind their backs or against their wishes.” Does anyone out there besides me have a problem with this? I am embarrassed that these fans are out there. Don’t they have anything better to do than immerse themselves so fully in a TV show, I repeat TV show, to the point that it becomes real? To quote William Shatner on Saturday Night Live “Get a life will ya people? For crying out loud its just a tv show”. I am sure there is a group out there at a university somewhere sitting around a cafeteria table speaking Goa'uld instead of Klingon (Watch out trekkies your fan clubs have some competition) and dressing like Jaffa. Is there therapy out there for these people? Because they need help, professional help.

Hi my name is Jon and I am a Stargate SG-1 addict (that is NOT me below, I am not quite there yet).