It seems to me that ART in all of it's various and different forms should be; entertaining, thought provoking, moving, a social commentary, promote discussion, enlighten and be of it's time. I'm sure if you ask 10 different people you will get 10 different lists of what ART should be but for now this is mine.

ART is subjective. What I think is amazing may leave you scratching your head and thinking really???? That's fine, that is where the promoting discussion part comes in. My son who is quite a fine artist refused to take art in school because he didn't think it was something that should be judged and marked, since again ART is subjective.

What ART should not be is divisive. It is like religion. You may fall down in raptures in front of a piece of work that leaves me cold. Don't tell me I have to feel the same way as you and don't look down on me or judge me because we don't share the same same aesthetic.

There has been a lot of this kind of thinking going on around me lately, people choosing sides and circling the wagons to defend their ART and belittle all others. Why? Perhaps insecurity perhaps ignorance or maybe just pigheadedness. I just don't think I want to play the game anymore.

I am an actor and a musician and so I work in a restaurant. As with most people who work in the service/hospitality industry I meet some really lovely people. I also come across some big fat assholes. Unfortunately since I am neither the owner or manager of the retaurant and I also have a great deal of respect for the owners I cannot tell said assholes that they are being jerks.

I try very hard not to judge others, sometimes I fail, but I do try. I know that I am no better or worse than anyone I may meet during the day. I may have been given more opportunities, I may be better travelled and well read. The chance to study and explore the world is a gift I am sincerely grateful for but it doesn't make me a better person than anyone else. I do not think that having more money than another makes me more worthy and I do not think that the Universe owes me anything!

I deal with so many people who seem to think that they are better, that their time and money is worth more, that they can be nasty and rude to people who are serving them just because they are serving them. There are so many people who make judgements about others based on no information. In short exhibiting behavior that I wouldn't accept from a 5 year old.

I know that I am preaching to the choir because most of my dear friends have worked in restaurants or retail or they are my friends because we feel the same way about the world. I also know that it does take a village to raise a child. So please when you see someone behaving badly and showing that they were raised with little care or concern, gently and with respect give them a little push onto the right path.