KEVLAR is not just a city in the Middle East!

Every year many news "gossip" sources engage in revisiting old headlines of those of whom we've lost in the past year or decade.

Some of these stories are simply pointless, but nevertheless I will follow suit; much like the yuppies of the 80's through early 90's and now the buppies of the first decade of this century, of course I fit the later. I'll order up that same dry martini...but with a twist.



If i learned only one thing from my training in preparation to and in serving my country in this very same decade is that there are times when you KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!

1a.) if there is an armored vehicle provided, 1b.) there is a reason and 1c.) if you choose not to use it.....I remind you to reference 1a and 1b. Maybe taking advice goes by the wayside for the first female to ever lead a muslim country....maybe she would still be alive if she simply headed the advice of staying down and not that of America supporting her run for office...obviously we dont know what we get ourselves into when supporting a muslim leader a/k/a B. Obama.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, died Dec. 27, 2007 (54)Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of a former prime minister and the first woman elected to lead a Muslim country, had an interesting resume. Twice she was voted prime minister, in 1988 and 1993, and each time she was removed by the president (which apparently extended her life span both times) after allegations of corruption. In 1998 she moved to Dubai, but in the fall of 2007, at the urging of the U.S. and other countries, she returned to Pakistan to run again.

She had addressed a rally and was driving away in a bulletproof vehicle on Dec. 27 when she stood up through the sunroof to wave to the crowd. Shots were fired, a bomb went off and she was fatally wounded. (Huum, this makes me think)

AGAIN....USE THE EQUIPMENT GIVEN TO YOU! THE US MILITARY HAS ADVISED ME OF THIS MANY TIMES....maybe when the U.S. urged her participation in politics they forgot to add what I've been advised on my level of dragooness. Toujours Pret!

Millers are 28th on Rich list!

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THE Miller family has been named the 28th wealthiest in property in the UK, worth an estimated GBP498m, according to the Estates Gazette Rich List published today. Keith Miller, 56, is chief executive of the Edinburgh-based construction empire still 92-per cent owned by the Miller family. Last year Miller Group posted record pre-tax profits of GBP52.5m on sales of GBP752m, giving it 25-per cent compound annual growth in profits for the past five years, and is valued by Estates Gazette at more than GBP520m.

James Verbicky’s New Series: Sheeple as introduced by: M. Joseph Miller II.

JoAnne Artman Gallery, Presents in the Main Gallery:James Verbicky’s New Series: Sheeple

November 1 – November 30, 2009Private Reception: Saturday, November 7th, 6-9 pmPlease RSVP: 949.510.5481 by October 31st.

JoAnne Artman Gallery

326 N. Coast Highway , Laguna Beach, 92651Contact: JoAnne ArtmanTelephone: 949-510-5481E-mail: joanneartman@aol.comWeb site: http://www.joanneartmangallery.com/Open Wed-Sunday, 11-5 & by appointment; First Thursday of every month 6-9pm

J A M E S V E R B I C K Y

A B S T R A C T P A I N T I N G S

Verbicky’s earlier abstractions studiously avoided referring to anything. They could evoke elements and events, and shapes in them might bristle with suggestivity, but they finally insisted on their physical and visual autonomy, claiming to represent nothing but the artist’s inner ideas and feelings. It’s only now that, without losing the intensity of those inner impulses, Verbicky allows his work to engage methods and references that push it into the realm of – well, not the familiar so much as the known. His new abstract paintings are no less abstract for their atmosphere, for their light and nuance, for their persuasive glower in black and white; whether their surfaces have been resined or left raw; whether the extravagance of brushstrokes evocation of space and time; in the final analysis, he is painting paintings, not pictures. But, whether they brim with color or that comprises each of them directs the eye into the painting or bounces it all over – Verbicky’s abstractions now breathe the same air we breathe and, dare I say it, watch the same sunsets. These paintings are not landscapes in great part because they are not places. They do not depict, and are not even dependent on, any given view of any given spot on the earth. Indeed, in the way they vary from one another in structure, light, color, and spatial evocation, they betray the fact that the painter has invented them, forging them out of the process of painting rather than out of a process of looking at something else.”

-Peter Frank

Rolls Royce, Jaguar and Dorotheum, OH MY! - M. Joseph Miller II.

Some may never have an opportunity to enjoy life in a fashion that God has allowed me, does it take a couple of hundred thousand dollars, a few million or more? For some these glorious experiences will never come....but if your smart and ambitious you too can enjoy the luxuries of the middle class...well the Upper Middle-Class! I bring you an event that occurs every year in Europe, among many for auto enthusiests.


Dorotheum Auction at the Classic Expo, Salzburg, 17 October 2009

Dorotheum, the Vienna-based auction house established in 1707 and now the largest in Central Europe, is once again holding a sale at the Classic Expo in Salzburg, Austria. ‘Vintage Cars, Automobilia and Motorcycles’ will see 500 lots coming under the hammer on 17 October.


In the car category, an Aston Martin DB2 built in 1952 and kept in traditional British Racing Green guarantees an enthusiastic reception. When new, it was displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show and later went on to race at Goodwood. It carries an estimate of 130,000 – 140,000 euros. A light-metallic-green Triumph TR2 is another rarity. Its distinctive feature is the coupé conversion, a modification which the Belgian Imperia company carried out only 22 times. Named after the Francorchamps racetrack, the coupé features a top with removable Plexiglas section and a luxurious leather interior with four seats (estimate 36,000 – 42,000 euros).

Some 50 motorcycles will also be looking for new owners at this Dorotheum auction, including an NSU Konsul II (estimate 7000 – 9000 euros), the crowning achievement of the famous German manufacturer founded in 1901. The M.G.F. Triumph Fiddaman was originally purchased as a new experimental model in 1969 by racer Jean Bouquin, who ran it in 500 and 650 classes until 1975 (estimate 22,000 – 28,000 euros). Meanwhile, opening at the sensational starting bid of just 1 euro, is a 1907 motorcycle by Presto that was discovered only this year in Belgium and, for reasons of authenticity, simply cleaned and conserved. Research suggests it could be the last of its kind in Europe. The Dorotheum car expert Ernst Pilger describes it as "a jewel in original condition complete with its patina".To enjoy the last rays of the autumn sun in fine style, there’s always the iconic Jaguar E-type, a 3.8-litre, 210HP model. Said to be in excellent condition, it carries an estimate of 70,000 – 80,000 euros.

The auction also features around 400 lots of automobilia, from various publications to a child's bobsleigh by Porsche dating from the 1960s, as well as a selection of bonnet ornaments. One such item, never used and now behind glass, is a Rolls-Royce ‘Schneider Trophy’ SB6 seaplane dating from 1929-1931 (starting price 4000 euros).

9 Hot Wedding Photo Trends as researched by M. Joseph Miller II.

Continued from October 9, 2009

3. Head to the City
Engagement cityscape shoots are popular because of the iconic quality of posing by recognizable landmarks. No skyline? Shooting against an urban brick wall can convey the same message. Use your favorite image in your save-the-dates or, for instant reception decor, blow up one of the pictures, mat it, and set it on an easel near the escort cards. Display other shots in your table cards.

During the Reception ...

4. Ditch the Formality
Try some casual shots, like the bride sitting on a staircase right after the ceremony, breathing a sigh of relief, with champagne at her feet. Or consider finding an "unofficial" setting. If your reception is at a country club, take pics on the golf course. Ask your photographer to get candids of your group making their way there. It's those between-the-moments photos that always turn out best.

5. Go Behind the Curtain
Rent a photo booth and a technician to troubleshoot. Have guests tape wacky shots next to their messages in the guest book. Or create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room. Hang a nine-foot-wide seamless paper for a backdrop and bring a printer so guests can take photos home.

The Style of M. Joseph Miller II.

I refuse to allow the challenges of life completely alter my life and path of which I am on, this is why I am getting back onto that path of which I started oh so many months ago...be they travel stories or those of fashion. This one is one of fashion.

A few days ago, I was walking to brunch when I ran across an old friend I met in Germany a few years ago, we had not seen one another in some time and started a conversation, one that lead us to enjoy the mornings meal together. He had remembered that my sense of fashion and style was more astute than that of others particularly the others in the immediate surroundings of which we had met; and so he mentioned to me that he had purchased a couple of suits of clothing and a few shirts that he wanted my opinion on.

I obliged and later met him at his place to peruse his new wears. Clearly his sense of style leaned more towards that of Crocket and Tubs, we both joked, of course neither of us could agree as to which version of the pair he had taken cue, the 80’s or the more recent duo as portrayed by Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.

One suit, black with three buttons and the other grey, so far so good….the material, of the black one was, as I recall not silk or wool, but suitable, the other of better quality maybe even in the “super 150” category, not the best, but still quite nice for starters. He then showed me something I was surprised to see, a white French-cuffed dress shirt, ahhhh how refreshing a dash of sophistication abounds at last even though he mentioned that he has yet to purchase a pair of links.

I was about to get into detail about how to pair these suits and what not to wear with them when he introduced to me what he considered the pièce de résistance!

One black shirt and one white shirt and one red “Pure Silk.” As he exclaimed. Now surely many of you may wonder, what the problem, silk is the best, isn’t it? Well, for men, a silk suit may be ok, especially if your a member of the "family", as for the shirts, their better left for after ten at night no business meetings in a silk shirt. \

As red...its just a NO-GO, unless your going to your prom and your matching your dates bow. Otherwise lets leave the silk red dress shirts for the latin dance instructors! Be very careful with the solid color silk shits as it will be hard to match them to a suit or tie, I mean the black silk shirt will probably only go with a black silk tie and as for the white silk shirt, the contrast of being shiny white itslef, should just be left alone and worn without a tie altogether.

I can only go into so many to do's and not to do's in this session, but if anyone has any specific questions, dont hesitate to comment or ask. Until next time, where what you like and feel good in it, the most important thing is that you like it!

- M. Joseph Miller II.

Another M. Joseph Miller II. Project

As tensions around the world mount and some even comes to an end I am eagerly awaiting a return to my company in Germany and or the United states. If there is one thing my travels have taught me is that the old adage of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer still rings true. A true friend of mine still remains and will always be my country, the United States of America. Yes, like peas in a pod, M. Joseph Miller II will always be able to count on one of his uncles, Sam! Please look forward to updates including unpublished articles from travels throughout the world in the past few months.