Why My Neon Technology is Special

 Why My Neon Technology is Special

It all started in Austin, on a rare snowy January
afternoon in 1985 while 
tripping my brains out on mushrooms. 

Arriving home from an extraordinarily fun day of burning donuts all over the icy UT parking lot in my dead grandmother's Cutlass convertible, with my pal, Mike. 

This was just after roaming the empty practice rooms of the Butler School of Music, playing random concertos on various Steinways.

Back home the red light was blinking on my answering machine..

"G'day Been, Would you loike to come to New Zeeealend and wook in houa neon shop heah - in Auckland? We'd love to have you, mate!"

OMG - Hell YES!

After six months of working with the consulate, I finally got there on a one year work visa, thanks to
Duncan Reed who I'd met at Dean Blazek's Northern Neon Workshop in Antigo,

Wisconsin about a year before.

Duncan (Kiwi) hooked me up because he'd had enough of the slow NZ lifestyle.

He had big plans and high hopes for his next stop, Sydney, Australia, and by me taking his glassbending job, I was his ticket out.

One day I was snooping around the shop's glass supply, which was totally exotic to me.

All I'd ever seen was the USA's industry standard -  EGL, FMS, Voltarc and some old Corning

and GE classic colored glass.

But they had Masonlite out of England - eye candy with colors I'd never

seen before.

Waving a SW-UV around their glass stash, I noticed a piece of German (Bromo blue-purple)

tubing. What was remarkable about this was of course it's beautiful indigo/magenta color, but more

interesting was the phenomena of this tubing's phosphor coating being capable of glowing red with a

blue UV light.. Up till then, I'd only seen neon gas make reds, oranges and pinks.

Argon and Hg emitted a UV blue light that only lit up "cold " phosphor coated colors like green,

blue, yellow, white etc... But here was a phosphor that went both ways!

This really stoked my curiosity. One thing led to another over the course of

the next eight years and then the National Endowment of Art (NEA) awarded me a fellowship for what

is now my signature style that I call "Night Sticks" or "Spirit Antenna" (depending on their use)

and well, the rest is history.

Here's Percy Echol's podcast "Taming Lightning", where I tell the whole story.

My final Report to the National Endowment for the Arts...

Everything I learned during my fellowship in one tube!

See Phosphor research items below.

My paint set

The Wizard of Waco

 THE 

WIZARD OF WACO

 The ice hockey team's namesake. 

How I decided NOT to be a lifeguard anymore.

My life is a work in progress

Three's a charm!

 

Second Attempt

Chalk up another amazing experience. Thank you, George Plimpton.

I think my last was the 10 day Vipassana silent meditation, seeing if I could find what I did with ayahuasca, without additives.

But this time I've run into a dilemma.

Today is September 9th, 2021 

(Just in time for Yom Kippur reflection)

 

I solve problems best by drawing or writing them out.

 

1992 "How I decided NOT to move to New York City"

Certified Lifeguard, City of Austin PARD Employee.

I'm just like my grandmother who graduated UT law school in 1919 and never practiced one single day.

Things you learn...

Kiddie city - My first inservice training.  Stacy Pool

Like I said, this is how I solve problems..

How I decided NOT to be a Lifeguard pgs 1-4.

How I decided NOT to be a Lifeguard pg 5.

My hydration salvation, Thanks Autum!

My first day on the job.. Barton Springs "Gate Ambassidor"- A most lovely 5 hours!

I get by with a little help from my friends... 

After another of four totally exhausting 8 hour days at life guard school. 

Swore I'd quit every day.

My cashier pal, Jules. 

Need to add a pic of Andrea and Jayden.

This perfectly sums up me as a lifeguard.

Actual proof of employment at Austin Aquatics
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE END October 20,  2021

Dear Conor,

I'm writing to let you know that I as of today, I am resigning from my post as lifeguard for the City of Austin.

Trying to keep up with the physical demands of inservice training has tested the extremes of my strength. I have muscular dystrophy and though I was thrilled to meet the challenge at first, my stamina is unfortunately waning drastically to the point that swimming distance is now quite difficult for me.      

Neurologists at the MDA predicted years ago that by now I'd be wheelchair bound with difficulty swallowing but I have managed to defy that fate by listening to my body and enlisting the help of very specialized health professionals. It took me three years to build up the strength to pass the lifeguard training swim test. Recently, my doctor strongly suggested that I stop overdoing it less I suffer the consequences. Nevertheless, I'm confident that I've spent my reserves wisely. But now it's time for me to regroup and rebuild and that's going to take some time.

This has been such an interesting endeavor for me and many others who have been inspired to attempt their dreams in spite of personal challenges. 

Here is a video called "My Miracle at Barton Springs" that tells my story. 

In conclusion, best wishes to you and your family and please accept my deepest gratitude for all you and so many others at Aquatics have done for me during my time here which I will cherish for all my lifetime.   

Sincerely,

Ben Livingston

Why My Neon Technology is Special

Why My Neon Technology 

is Special

It all started in Austin, on a rare snowy January

afternoon in 1985 while 

tripping my brains out on mushrooms. 

Arriving home from an extraordinarily fun day of burning donuts all over the icy UT parking lot in my dead grandmother's Cutlass convertible, with my pal, Mike. 

This was just after roaming the empty practice rooms of the Butler School of Music, playing random concertos on various Steinways.

Back home the red light was blinking on my answering machine..

"G'day Been, Would you loike to come to New Zeeealend and wook in houa neon shop heah - in Auckland? We'd love to have you, mate!"

OMG - Hell YES!

After six months of working with the consulate, I finally got there on a one year work visa, thanks to
Duncan Reed who I'd met at Dean Blazek's Northern Neon Workshop in Antigo,

Wisconsin about a year before.

Duncan (Kiwi) hooked me up because he'd had enough of the slow NZ lifestyle.

He had big plans and high hopes for his next stop, Sydney, Australia, and by me taking his glassbending job, I was his ticket out.

One day I was snooping around the shop's glass supply, which was totally exotic to me.

All I'd ever seen was the USA's industry standard -  EGL, FMS, Voltarc and some old Corning

and GE classic colored glass.

But they had Masonlite out of England - eye candy with colors I'd never

seen before.

Waving a SW-UV around their glass stash, I noticed a piece of German (Bromo blue-purple)

tubing. What was remarkable about this was of course it's beautiful indigo/magenta color, but more

interesting was the phenomena of this tubing's phosphor coating being capable of glowing red with a

blue UV light.. Up till then, I'd only seen neon gas make reds, oranges and pinks.

Argon and Hg emitted a UV blue light that only lit up "cold " phosphor coated colors like green,

blue, yellow, white etc... But here was a phosphor that went both ways!

This really stoked my curiosity. One thing led to another over the course of

the next eight years and then the National Endowment of Art (NEA) awarded me a fellowship for what

is now my signature style that I call "Night Sticks" or "Spirit Antenna" (depending on their use)

and well, the rest is history.

Here's Percy Echol's podcast "Taming Lightning", where I tell the whole story.

My final Report to the National Endowment for the Arts...

Everything I learned during my fellowship in one tube!

See Phosphor research items below.

My paint set