General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemoTex is now Bo Zarts
It has been over 17 years since I moved from Texas, and the once-great Texas culture has been bastardized by the Texas Republican Party. That GOP macho schtick is wearing thin with me nowadays. So now that I have an opportunity, I'm changing my DU username to Bo Zarts. Some of you might recognize that name from the copyright I usually post on or with my photos: ©Bo Zarts Studio.
For background, École des Beaux-Arts is one of a number of influential art schools in France. Ergo, stylized into English, Beaux Arts becomes Bo Zarts. Voilà!
Since I have you this far, let me divulge something else that is happening with me. You might have noticed that I have not posted many NEW photos in almost six months. The last frame I shot was early last September. My chronic pain from cervical and lumbar spinal issues is back with a vengeance, and getting worse (but making several medical doctors rich). Because of that, I will most likely not be working a fire lookout this coming season.
So, I sit at my computer a few minutes at a time, several times a day, editing and re-editing old images. I have hundreds of thousands of digital images, and some have never been edited or posted. I will be doing a lot of experimentation in post processing (Lightroom and Photoshop, with Nik and Topaz), so you might see some crazy stuff .. some wild stylizations. Bear with me, and just remember that it is just old-man DemoTex .. er, I mean Bo Zarts .. biding his time until things get better.
Mac
South Sister, Broken Top, and the Lonesome Pines of Lowullo Butte
Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
©2013 Bo Zarts Studio
Ocelot II
(115,869 posts)And I'm sorry you're having such nasty back trouble - hope something can be done for it and that you can make it back to the fire lookout someday. Please keep posting your photos, they're really beautiful.
northoftheborder
(7,574 posts)Aristus
(66,467 posts)That's going to take some getting used to...
Right there with you on the "I didn't leave Texas; Texas left me" thing, though...
mopinko
(70,238 posts)lemme know if you want a designer.
i rly want a real book in my portfolio. i've done a lot of booklets. i've been trolling several photogs i know to let me do it.
willing to do it for chump change and a cut.
paranoid floyd
(254 posts)Ive always enjoyed your posts. Such calm in the middle of madness.
walkingman
(7,669 posts)Beautiful picture. I feel the same way about Texas. Been here 44 years and it's been getting worse by the year since Ann Richards.
Hekate
(90,829 posts)Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Perfect.
Welcome to DU, Bo Zarts!
cry baby
(6,682 posts)calimary
(81,507 posts)Thanks so much for keeping us updated as your journey evolves.
And yet another gorgeous photo!
I hope you do issue a book of them. Might be a cool project!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Mr. Scorpio
(73,631 posts)CaptainTruth
(6,602 posts)hlthe2b
(102,379 posts)Because, sadly, I'm unlikely to connect the current & previous names with a "person" for far longer than that.
I've enjoyed your photography and experiences.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,902 posts)This way I'll remember who you are far better than just a month's worth of the note in your sig line.
Look forward to many, many more pictures from you.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,571 posts)We'll take any beauty we can get. I hope you find some relief for your back. My issues were obviously minor when compared with yours, but mine got a LOT better when I cut out sugar.
It may or may not (probably not an inflammation issue at the root, from the sound of it) help your back specifically, but it definitely will not hurt. There is almost certainly some inflammation involved and sugar aggravates that.
I hope this, or something else, helps you.
mountain grammy
(26,655 posts)always love your photos. Sure hope your back troubles improve.
berni_mccoy
(23,018 posts)blm
(113,100 posts)Biophilic
(3,697 posts)Wishing you well with your back. Hopefully, something will relieve the pain. Certainly "playing" with your photos will give you mind some place else to go and allow all that creativity to find an outlet. Thank you for sharing your work.
malthaussen
(17,217 posts)... this is Nature's way of giving you time to get things done! Like that book project...
-- Mal
burrowowl
(17,652 posts)Bo Zart clever!
panader0
(25,816 posts)Your new moniker reminded me of this:
https://poems.com/poem/musee-des-beaux-arts/
PS--I hope your back gets better.
3auld6phart
(1,052 posts)Have really enjoyed your Fire Llookout and other pictures over the years.
Truly hope you can find some relief from your pain. Take care.
hermetic
(8,324 posts)Been enjoying your photos for a good while here. I sincerely hope you find relief from your pain, toot sweet. A gentle
TheRickles
(2,083 posts)pecosbob
(7,544 posts)The stupid became too painful and time is the most precious commodity we possess.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)TNNurse
(6,929 posts)So look forward to seeing what you do with your photos.
Do not sit at a computer too long, get up and walk around briefly and then sit back down. You will be glad you did.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,719 posts)And you know how much I enjoy your photos. Keep 'em coming as you can, OK?
Hope you can figure out how to feel a whole lot better, my dear Bo!
MiHale
(9,782 posts)Kid Berwyn
(14,971 posts)Two turning.
PCIntern
(25,591 posts)In The fantasy film The Last Action Hero , this kid literally is transported into an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie and the villain is played by F. Murray Abraham. The kid says to Arnold You cant trust him he killed Mozart. And Schwarzenegger replies, Did you kill some guy named Moe Zart?
I thought of this sequence when I saw your new name.
Lease get well!
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Grey5
(67 posts)This last one is just stunning.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,343 posts)yonder
(9,678 posts)You're a fine photographer, DU or otherwise, with a 'style' I'm learning to recognize. Here's wishing you'll be able to return to the field soon.
2naSalit
(86,802 posts)Does this mean we get to see more of your amazing pictures?
Hope you back feels better at some point.
KT2000
(20,588 posts)My sister and I used to shop for Object Darts!! It was fun.
George II
(67,782 posts)11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)I have enjoyed your photos since I joined up, almost 20 years ago.
I wish you luck with your back. I understand that chronic pain can be a stone-cold bitch!
aggiesal
(8,924 posts)sorry to hear about your lumbar and spinal issues.
I had back issues as well.
Never visited a chiropractor in my life, because I didn't respect the profession.
But I was invited to visit one about 2 years ago.
Insurance wouldn't cover it, so I paid completely out of pocket.
I paid for 36 adjustment treatments over 8 months.
Never felt better. And my spine now looks normal as well.
Something to consider.
Take care of yourself.
Upthevibe
(8,074 posts)I love your images!
BComplex
(8,067 posts)Johnyawl
(3,205 posts)Or Zarts?
Seriously though, sorry to hear about the pain, getting old is a bitch, but it's better then the alternative. Good to see you still kicking around.
I though about changing my DU handle as I no longer own a yawl, but I just couldn't think of a cool name.
Mopar151
(9,999 posts)handmade34
(22,758 posts)I worked the Deschutes National Forest a few years back and it was a real treat
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,619 posts)Texas will be a battleground state next cycle
FuzzyRabbit
(1,969 posts)Martin68
(22,891 posts)flamin lib
(14,559 posts)and the back pain. Was confined to my office chair for two months. Same with back doctors, making a BMW payment for three of 'em. Didn't know anything could hurt that bad without bones sticking our and blood on the floor.
Doing some table top studio stuff in the meantime.
7wo7rees
(5,128 posts)Never will forget the evening I met you on Mockingbird Bridge over Central in Dallas.
You will always be DemoTex but Bo Zart is good.
Eagerly anticipating a Table Top book of your best!!
(Must include the one over Tucson at night)
Much love to you, Bo Zart!!
Ms 7wo7rees
denbot
(9,901 posts)Keep posting your pics anyway that strikes your fancy.
Thtwudbeme
(7,737 posts)I remember when you and Dr. DemoTex moved to upstate SC.
whistler162
(11,155 posts)GregD
(2,263 posts)I'd love to see it if you do
FakeNoose
(32,777 posts)Either way, works for me!
mahina
(17,705 posts)Came here to tell you: Bo Zarts! I get it!
elleng
(131,140 posts)Raine
(30,540 posts)reading all about your new name.
zehnkatzen
(784 posts)I like the choice of handle, because "Bo Zarts" sounds just like a name an expat Texan would have.
Nice photo work, too. Must be said.
Sam Klein,
Oregonian