Long after the incredible success of the Superman movies in the 70’s and 80’s, the real man of steal, the late Christopher Reeve’s fight for humanity lives on.

I have been a fan of Superman my entire live, partially because I had no other male figure to aspire to, but mainly because of the complex that is Superman. Though he has power nearly matching that of god (stress on nearly) he lives his life to serve his fellow man and sacrifices his personal life to protect those who even sometimes are not as grateful as they should be. This is how I try to model my own life. Well, not nearly as dramatic, but it is a good way to live.

This is how the real man of steel lived his life as well. Christopher Reeve became a paraplegic, meaning he was unable to move from the neck down, after a terrible horse accident. Even with these incredible odds against him he fought the rest of his days to help all that had this tragic condition.

I ask all to just go to ChristopherReeve.org and read about him and his real journey as a super hero to thousands. I leave you with his own words and by asking you to Go Forward.

“What I do is based on powers we all have inside us; the ability to endure; the ability to love, to carry on, to make the best of what we have – and you don’t have to be a ‘Superman’ to do it.”
~Christopher Reeve

I read a few blogs online and one that is a regular early morning feed for me is John Chow dot Com. Normally I love what he has to say but he has been getting a little political lately.

He recently wrote a blog entitled “The Progressive Income Tax Is Not Progress.”

The problem with progressive income tax is the government has it backwards. It shouldn’t be the more you make the more they take. It should the be more you make, the less they take!

I had to add a comment to this one.

I don’t know about this one. Yes, in theory a tax deduction, or lack of tax increase, would be a great incentive for people to work harder and make the big bucks but it’s not that easy. Not all have the entrepreneurial ability to pop their heads just above the next tax bracket. Whether you’re taxed more or not, the more money you make, the more money you have. That is incentive for you.

So here is the skinny on taxation. If you tax everyone the same then the poorer end of the spectrum, you know the more than 90% of the country’s population will actually be affected negatively because taxes must be raised on their end to cover the lost amount on the wealthier side who generate more than 90% of the income. This mean less net income for most to spend on goods. Now, I am not an expert (well maybe a little) but that is bad if the majority of the country is putting less cash back into the economy.

Look, here’s how it goes. Whether you live in America, Canada, Great Britain or any other thriving economy you have to live by the Tao or Warren Buffet (great book by the way). It is because of the great society in which you live that allows you the opportunity to make so much money for yourself so it is your duty to then give some of that back to better the society in which you are thriving.

Investing in your country is an investment in yourself.

So as I have been working late into the night I need a break from the grind. Don’t get me wrong; I love my job but it has some draw backs. I cannot just come up with a great design or create a schedule to finish a graphic. I need inspiration to do such things.

After a few hours of working on a big surprise (which I will address later) and some client projects I really needed a break and did not know what to do to stimulate my mind so I began browsing my own websites.

I reached one of my more popular sites called ArtofChicago.net and decided to browse through the artists that have signed up for our chicago artist listing. While I was looking through them I came to a realization. I am using my own creation to inspire myself. That is quite monumental. I realized just how much I loved what I do because my creation, Art of Chicago, not only is helping me but others who need or want to find out about the Chicago Art Community, something I care about greatly.

It makes me feel pretty good. I am ready to get back to work.

Could something as complicated as a computer be made by random chance? How about something as complicated as the Universe?

Just wanted to update everyone on my business practice. (Doesn’t that sound all grown up?)

:: recent. We just launched a site for Trent Roofing Construction. We also designed their logo, business card (250 printed), and letterhead. That’s called the business pack my friends. It means you have us do a bunch of stuff and we give you a lofty discount on the total cost.

:: current. We are currently developing websites for Anthony Zahner, a Chicago artist and architect; and dj Phiction, a Chicago-land disc jockey.

:: future. We are working hard on the International Art Network, a social and professional network for the global art community. I’ll definitely let you know more about that in the future. In the mean time check out a preview at intartnet.com.

There is more to come so hang in there and I’ll keep you updated.

Should your health and well being be put in the hands of a corporation that will lose money if you get treatment?

Well it is all over now. My personal ordeal that I have documented in “The Crash” and “The Crash II” has finally come to an end.

I went to court today as a witness of the car accident involving an old woman, who I now know as Margaret (won’t mention her last name) who illegally turned left when a car was heading straight.

My nerves were on end when I entered and it became a waiting game until shortly before she was called to the judges bench. A police officer called my name along with the others who were involved. What made me even more tense was that no one said “here” but me. Was I the only one besides Margaret that showed?

I went to the police officer who then affirmed I was in fact Warren Greeley. He asked how I was involved and then his next question threw me for a loop. He asked, and I repeat verbatim, “Do you want to testify against her?”

Now I am a man who wants to do the right thing but this officer’s question made it clear in my mind that his idea of the right thing was different than mine. But he was not there that day. He did not see it happen. So, I simply answered “I want to tell what I saw that day.”

He then replied “Ok, she’ll probably plead guilty anyway.” With a snide tone. (By the way, I censored out a bit of that conversation for the sake of not stirring up trouble. But I did get that officers name just in case.”

When Margaret was called I approached the bench beside her and the judged asked her what she pleaded… “Guilty.” Thank god. The weight was off my shoulders. I did not have to testify against this nice old lady, who, by the way, is my girlfriends neighbor. She did the right thing. The judge asked me a couple of questions about my involvement and if anyone was hurt. I answered and the judge said I was free to go.

Before I could leave there was one thing I had to do. I leaned closer to Margaret, who is much shorter than I, and put my hand on her shoulder whispering, “I’m sorry.” She turned to me and said in her sweet voice, “That’s OK dear.”

That was all I needed to hear.

I wish the best to you Margaret. You will be in my prayers.

Prologue: The other driver involved never showed the the court case, nor did the two other witnesses called. Considering that Margaret had no prior traffic violations, or any other record for that matter, she was put on driving probation and got to keep her license. All is well in the world now. Well, except her car and the car of the guy she hit. That is what insurance if for.

There is still one question that burns in my mind. If I hadn’t shown up, then there would have been no one to testify against her. If this were the case, then would she have pleaded innocent and not had to pay a very hefty fine? I guess I will never know. But something tells me she would have done the right thing regardless.