Okay, so I know that I owe some major blogging. It has been about a week and a half since I updated. I've been kept very busy, and the longer I postponed updating, the more I wanted to keep putting it off, but now I'm sitting in a hotel room with little else to do and I might as well make up for lost time.
Now where was I....
Sunday, July 12th - was a roomie hang out day. Originally I was going to work on my zine and illustration projects but Uriah dropped by and fixed the bike he'd given me. We cleaned the rust off the chain and he reassembled it so that an inaugural ride around the West Bottoms was due.
Joe and Uriah's friend Tyler joined us for a ride to the Kemper Arena, where we got booted by the typical, fat, lazy, security guard in a golf cart. While tempted to ride circles around him, we left in a respectful manner and headed to some of the sketchier, industrial places in the West Bottoms. We crosses two bridges and probably ended up riding ten to fifteen miles through various Bottoms sites before we tired.
Around sundown, we all decided our hunger was enough for cheap Mexican and the guys took me to the infamous Pancho's 24 hour burrito joint. There, we talked about girls and their crafty ways until Uriah's girlfriend Jenny called.
The evening was spent at Jenny's place, porching it and enjoying the night air. When Jenny and I fell asleep, it was time to go home.
Monday, July 13th - Tyler called and he came over for another Bottoms bike ride. Uriah and Joe were out, so it ended up being just the two of us. Tyler works for the airlines and therefore gets free flights out of KCI. We talked about the places we'd been and where we wanted to go until our stomachs rumbled. Somehow it came up that I'd never had K.C. barbecue, and Tyler insisted we rectify that.
There are two places in Kansas City that compete for the Kansas City title of BBQ Ruler - Oklahoma Joe's and Arthur Bryants. Oklahoma Joe's is more kitchy, located in a gas station and very popular with out-of-towners. Arthur Bryant's is more traditional restaurant style, but has been around longer. Tyler took me to Oklahoma Joe's.
I had the pulled pork, medium heat. Not impressed. I've had honest, backyard, grassroots, barbecue, and I imagine it is going to be hard to beat. ***sidenote - Carolina BBQ = vinegar and meat based vs. KC BBQ = sweet and sauce based.***
Tuesday, July 14th - Went to Hammerpress and worked on folding cards as well as the first layer of Brady's new Neko Case poster, for her show on Sunday, July 19th - done in all metallics with an Illustration by Matt. I don't remember what I did that night, but something tells me it included falling asleep early.
Wednesday, July 15th - Worked on the third layer of the Neko Case poster (Brady has done the second the previous night). I also packaged orders and cleaned up the shop.
After work I went to the rehearsal for my show that coming Sunday. Didn't I mention I was going to be in a show? No? Well, last month, Halliday and I went out to see a dance troupe called Two Gun preform. The silly person I am, said; "Hey! I can do that!" and volunteered to guest spot at their next show which happened to be Ex Post Facto.
I'd decided on a 1920's gangster themed act. On the previous Saturday, Halliday and I picked up my costume, Adam had mailed me my black wig and I was all but ready to go. The only thing I needed was music. The Ex Post Facto Show also included fashion designers, 30 plus models, and bands, in otherwords, the rehearsal was a feat of organization. I didn't need to do much, but it was good going and meeting everyone.
Post rehearsal, Ron paid me for my poster. Forty bucks! I know it isn't much, and certainly didn't cover the time I invested, but still, it was my first paid commission as a designer! Fourty bucks meant two for one burgers at the Brick. Halliday joined me and we didn't leave until late.
Thursday July 16th - was an interesting day at Hammerpress. Carla from PNCA showed up to ask for an intern position. Brady had never replied to her email. Taking the initiative, Carla decided to come in anyways. Brady's answer was "yes" and he set her up folding cards. I joined her for awhile before printing the first layer to some business cards on the treadle platen.
The evening was spent searching for better music (found it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdAt4qWvz_8) and practicing my routine in my costume.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Ladies day!
Saturday was a ladies day.
Halliday and I met up around 3 to go shopping. I needed a costume for an event this weekend and she just got her paycheck. We started at the costume shop on Main, but got there three minutes after closing. That didn't hold us down. Instead we drove north to do some thrifting.
First stop was the pizza buffet where I had potato pizza with bacon bits on top accompanyed by barbeque pizza with jalapenos. Man I love jalepenos...like pickles but way better.
Next stop was the amazing DAV up near Smithville. Yet again, I scored. I found a slip for my costume, and some awsome electric blue and tan heels, plus a super cute cardigan for me. Smithville DAV was followed up an outdoor mall stop where I found another good costume piece at Hot Topic and the cutest summer dress known to man at forever 21. By then we were getting tired but we ended out shopping trip at Joanne's for some trim and black fabric dye for my slip.
Originally, I was going to then go to a house part with Halliday, but I ended up calling it a night instead. We had alot of fun and it felt refreshing to go out with another lady and just be girls. More shopping trips like this need to occur!
Oh, weird sidenote. So apparently I'm hot stuff with the Illustration Art Direction class. So far I've had four requests to do work. I wish they were more descriptive in their emails, but I've decided I can take two on, and had to turn the other two down. Crazy, eh?
Halliday and I met up around 3 to go shopping. I needed a costume for an event this weekend and she just got her paycheck. We started at the costume shop on Main, but got there three minutes after closing. That didn't hold us down. Instead we drove north to do some thrifting.
First stop was the pizza buffet where I had potato pizza with bacon bits on top accompanyed by barbeque pizza with jalapenos. Man I love jalepenos...like pickles but way better.
Next stop was the amazing DAV up near Smithville. Yet again, I scored. I found a slip for my costume, and some awsome electric blue and tan heels, plus a super cute cardigan for me. Smithville DAV was followed up an outdoor mall stop where I found another good costume piece at Hot Topic and the cutest summer dress known to man at forever 21. By then we were getting tired but we ended out shopping trip at Joanne's for some trim and black fabric dye for my slip.
Originally, I was going to then go to a house part with Halliday, but I ended up calling it a night instead. We had alot of fun and it felt refreshing to go out with another lady and just be girls. More shopping trips like this need to occur!
Oh, weird sidenote. So apparently I'm hot stuff with the Illustration Art Direction class. So far I've had four requests to do work. I wish they were more descriptive in their emails, but I've decided I can take two on, and had to turn the other two down. Crazy, eh?
Presses and punk bands
Friday Brady left early in the morning to go to St. Louis for a wedding - well, by early, I mean 10ish. Matt didn't come into work either, also to go to a (different) wedding. That left Jen, Bobby, and I to work Hammerpress. I had a list of things to do that included assembling wedding invites, cleaning, folding make-ready notebooks, and printing more card inserts.
The wedding invites had a "cantaloupe" and "watermelon" diecut cover/envelope with five inserts. With the three of us in an assembly line, it didn't take very long to put them together and I had plenty of time for my other list of chores.
When I clean, which I try to do extensively every other week, I try to do it as thoroughly as possible. Because of what I sweep up, I don't think that had been happening before. Through cleaning is one of my little way of setting myself apart. I know Brady has noticed a difference, he's mentioned so, and so I am attempting to keep that distinction up.
I ended the day with much printing of inserts on the treadle press.
The evening didn't include too much until Halliday called around 10 to go to a punk show down the street. It wasn't very interesting, the music being (personally) nothing of distinction. I did however have a good conversation with one of the guitarists about the pros and cons of the Empire pre and post Sith influence. Oh and some dudes did a sweet trick on the skate ramp in the warehouse - lots of jumping over trashcans and such.
I ended the night back at the Pistol, a little lonely and a lot tired. I have good friends here, but everyone is pairing off and it makes me miss my Adam something strong.
The wedding invites had a "cantaloupe" and "watermelon" diecut cover/envelope with five inserts. With the three of us in an assembly line, it didn't take very long to put them together and I had plenty of time for my other list of chores.
When I clean, which I try to do extensively every other week, I try to do it as thoroughly as possible. Because of what I sweep up, I don't think that had been happening before. Through cleaning is one of my little way of setting myself apart. I know Brady has noticed a difference, he's mentioned so, and so I am attempting to keep that distinction up.
I ended the day with much printing of inserts on the treadle press.
The evening didn't include too much until Halliday called around 10 to go to a punk show down the street. It wasn't very interesting, the music being (personally) nothing of distinction. I did however have a good conversation with one of the guitarists about the pros and cons of the Empire pre and post Sith influence. Oh and some dudes did a sweet trick on the skate ramp in the warehouse - lots of jumping over trashcans and such.
I ended the night back at the Pistol, a little lonely and a lot tired. I have good friends here, but everyone is pairing off and it makes me miss my Adam something strong.
Champagne and couture
Thursday was Wendy's last day at work.
As for what I did, I printed the orange layer on the birthday card, took a package to Union Station to be mailed (more on that later) and then printed some large letters in black to be used as a banner for the Perceivers.
The Kansas City Union station is easily the most glamorous I've seen so far. It is situated in a large windowed building at the base of the WWI memorial. The windows are so large it looks like a Roman arch with glass and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Inside, the ceilings are all gold molding with two or three extravagant chandeliers hanging over a large marble foyer. A post office and some sort of children's museum/theatre are located in the building as well. I think if I were to work at a Post Office, the one inside Union Station would be as lovely as any.
Before Wendy went home for the day, Brady surprised her with champagne and cupcakes that Jen had made. If possible, the cupcakes were even better than the ones she'd made for my birthday...maybe it was the champagne that made a difference.
Wendy's daughter Lucy came to pick her up and we decided where we'd meet for the movie later that night (Wendy invited me to go to a movie with her and Lucy earlier in the week). The movie started at 7:15 in Westport and I agreed to meet them there.
After work, I drove out to Liberty to see Jared at his work for a while before it was time to meet Wendy and Lucy at the movies. I ended up being a few minutes late due to trouble finding the place. It ended up being hidden in a brick building whose facade said nothing about a theater.
The Tivoli is a little independent movie house with around five theaters that are playing things like "Food INC", "Every Little Step", and the movie we saw; "Valentino, the Last Emperor". The movie was surprisingly good. My original intention was to simply go for the company, but as it would turn out, Valentino live a very outlandish and exotic life. I didn't realise what does into a dress that he makes. There is no use of sewing machines and he has a team of ladies, who when he snaps his fingers, will produce a creation out of mid-air. The movie ended with Valentino's grand 45th anniversary party that took place in the Roman forum among ancient ruins and included entertainment that turned the Colosseum red.
Post movie, Wendy, her friend who met her at the theatre, Lucy an I went down the street to Harry's where I had a slightly overpriced, but delicious, flatbread pizza for dinner. We sat around for awhile sipping on drinks and talking about Kansas City.
The evening ended up being very enjoyable. Lucy was very nice and talkative, interested in my long distance relationship with Adam (she wondered how I fared). I think later in the fall I'll give her another call and we will hang out some more. Her 20th birthday is around the corner and I'd like to take her out to celebrate.
As for what I did, I printed the orange layer on the birthday card, took a package to Union Station to be mailed (more on that later) and then printed some large letters in black to be used as a banner for the Perceivers.
The Kansas City Union station is easily the most glamorous I've seen so far. It is situated in a large windowed building at the base of the WWI memorial. The windows are so large it looks like a Roman arch with glass and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Inside, the ceilings are all gold molding with two or three extravagant chandeliers hanging over a large marble foyer. A post office and some sort of children's museum/theatre are located in the building as well. I think if I were to work at a Post Office, the one inside Union Station would be as lovely as any.
Before Wendy went home for the day, Brady surprised her with champagne and cupcakes that Jen had made. If possible, the cupcakes were even better than the ones she'd made for my birthday...maybe it was the champagne that made a difference.
Wendy's daughter Lucy came to pick her up and we decided where we'd meet for the movie later that night (Wendy invited me to go to a movie with her and Lucy earlier in the week). The movie started at 7:15 in Westport and I agreed to meet them there.
After work, I drove out to Liberty to see Jared at his work for a while before it was time to meet Wendy and Lucy at the movies. I ended up being a few minutes late due to trouble finding the place. It ended up being hidden in a brick building whose facade said nothing about a theater.
The Tivoli is a little independent movie house with around five theaters that are playing things like "Food INC", "Every Little Step", and the movie we saw; "Valentino, the Last Emperor". The movie was surprisingly good. My original intention was to simply go for the company, but as it would turn out, Valentino live a very outlandish and exotic life. I didn't realise what does into a dress that he makes. There is no use of sewing machines and he has a team of ladies, who when he snaps his fingers, will produce a creation out of mid-air. The movie ended with Valentino's grand 45th anniversary party that took place in the Roman forum among ancient ruins and included entertainment that turned the Colosseum red.
Post movie, Wendy, her friend who met her at the theatre, Lucy an I went down the street to Harry's where I had a slightly overpriced, but delicious, flatbread pizza for dinner. We sat around for awhile sipping on drinks and talking about Kansas City.
The evening ended up being very enjoyable. Lucy was very nice and talkative, interested in my long distance relationship with Adam (she wondered how I fared). I think later in the fall I'll give her another call and we will hang out some more. Her 20th birthday is around the corner and I'd like to take her out to celebrate.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tuesday Tuesday, can't trust that day
Tuesday part two
Tuesday was also Wendy's second-to-last day at work. I think I forgot to mention last Thursday she brought a mushroom quiche after I mentioned I'd totally eat a mushroom quiche! She's been incredibly welcoming. She invited me to go to a movie about Valentino with her and her daughter Lucy later in the week.
After work I picked up my bike tires and went home for a ride - still using the BMX, schwinn isn't ready. I continued to feel very odd, and the bike ride didn't help much with clearing my head.
A show was also going on. The only band I remember was Bella Nouvela. I remember because I bought their rad five dollar t-shirt and listened to them out in the Pistol. It kind of goes that if one buys the t-shirt one should listen to the band. I feel asleep not long after. Kind of bummed, and feeling low.
Wednesday
picked up a bit. I printed all day at work. Cards are in desperate need of re-printing and so I started on one of the birthday designs - doing the first gold layer. I most definitely printed 500 and then went on to help Brady print some wedding invite packages - don't worry, I'll take pics, I know it sounds weird, it isn't, just expensive.
Since the exterminator was coming at five instead of the usual noon, Uriah and I met up after work for some coffee until he had to go to his once-a-week shift at Lulu's. We talked about Portland vs. Kansas City, since Uriah is looking to move there next fall (2010) with Jenny so she can go to school. They are going to be visiting in August to check the place out. I told them I'd show them around a bit. I hope they do move. I think they'll love it. Hopefully it doesn't rain during their entire visit...
We also made plans for Sunday. We're going to drive to St. Louis. Coincidentally, Brady will be there at the same time.
After I left Uriah at Lulu's I drove to the Plaza Library where I researched American folktales via children's books.
I didn't do much else the entire day. I still felt low.
Tuesday was also Wendy's second-to-last day at work. I think I forgot to mention last Thursday she brought a mushroom quiche after I mentioned I'd totally eat a mushroom quiche! She's been incredibly welcoming. She invited me to go to a movie about Valentino with her and her daughter Lucy later in the week.
After work I picked up my bike tires and went home for a ride - still using the BMX, schwinn isn't ready. I continued to feel very odd, and the bike ride didn't help much with clearing my head.
A show was also going on. The only band I remember was Bella Nouvela. I remember because I bought their rad five dollar t-shirt and listened to them out in the Pistol. It kind of goes that if one buys the t-shirt one should listen to the band. I feel asleep not long after. Kind of bummed, and feeling low.
Wednesday
picked up a bit. I printed all day at work. Cards are in desperate need of re-printing and so I started on one of the birthday designs - doing the first gold layer. I most definitely printed 500 and then went on to help Brady print some wedding invite packages - don't worry, I'll take pics, I know it sounds weird, it isn't, just expensive.
Since the exterminator was coming at five instead of the usual noon, Uriah and I met up after work for some coffee until he had to go to his once-a-week shift at Lulu's. We talked about Portland vs. Kansas City, since Uriah is looking to move there next fall (2010) with Jenny so she can go to school. They are going to be visiting in August to check the place out. I told them I'd show them around a bit. I hope they do move. I think they'll love it. Hopefully it doesn't rain during their entire visit...
We also made plans for Sunday. We're going to drive to St. Louis. Coincidentally, Brady will be there at the same time.
After I left Uriah at Lulu's I drove to the Plaza Library where I researched American folktales via children's books.
I didn't do much else the entire day. I still felt low.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Phone calls and emails
Tuesday sucked beyond all suckage. I did get new bike tires and take a ride around the West Bottoms. I did talk to some friends, and had very good talks at that, but I felt incredibly weighed down by my calls to PNCA.
Hammerpress work was fine. Brady liked what I'd printed over the weekend and we will score it probably next week. He and Lindsay are working on a branding project with some of their friends who are setting up a restaurant business called "The Town Company". I spent the day typesetting different fonts and pulling proofs so that they could play around with the logo and set out from there. I did something else, but I can't remember what. Maybe I packaged stuff, because I don't think I printed anything else. Typesetting took so long there wasn't anyway I could have. Maybe if I blogged sooner this wouldn't happen....
Anyways, at lunch I called Rachel Allen. I'm at a loss of how to deal with this situation with Student Services. I feel like every time I talk to her I am met with distaste and dislike. This may or may not be the case, but the tone of one's voice does count for something, right? The whole business has been handled very badly, not just by her either. I shouldn't have gotten so upset when they told me, or maybe I should have vocalized my feelings in a different fashion, but where is the learning situation?
I feel like they okayed me to do the internship. Since that is the case, shouldn't they give me some time to move out then? When I moved in over a year and a half ago, the current R.A. needed some extra time to get her things together and I was asked to postpone my move in date till the fifteenth. I was still unpacking during the time that new students were moving in. This wasn't a huge issue, but new standards are being held. After I was notified of my not being re-hired, I had two weeks to move out, if I wanted to go before I left for my internship, one of which was finals week. I don't think it was crazy of me to ask for a few days upon my return from Kansas to get my things out.
Well my request was unacceptable, (I guess I can see how they wouldn't want a new R.A. to postpone his move in date, after all, they are trying to make this a legit program...), and so instead they offered 200 dollars worth of moving services. A generous offer, I will agree to that, they could be leaving me entirely high and dry. To get everything ready to go, my boyfriend has been having to pack up my entire apartment. Honestly, I don't think it is his business to do that, as he has his own duties and job to deal with, but he has been generous enough to agree to help.
I told Rachel over the phone that he has been "feverishly packing". She stopped by during apartment checks, and I guess she would not label the progress as feverish. Following that, I got an absurdly formal email telling me the terms that I've agreed to and what the ramifications of me not following through will be. I've worked for these people for two years. They are not formal - well unless they are taking sanctions or preparing to do so. I could be over reacting, as it was an email, but I am still confused.
I'm not going to flake out and just leave my stuff there cackling madly; "muahahaha! now you have to move it!". I don't know why this is such an issue. I believe have real reason to be having trouble moving as I am not going to be in Oregon on the move out date, and they knew this when they approved my internship. I'm not trying to screw student services over, really and truly. I might be frustrated with them, personally rightfully so, but they've worked with me long enough to know that I am a hard working, trustworthy person, or well... they should.
I have to go back to work, I'll write more later.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Where is my mind?
I'm not really sure what to make of today.
I waited around for something to happen that ended up not happening. I need to chill out and relax, let things come as they may. This obsessing over what may or may not happen is not only unattractive, but jinxes any chances with this stagnate passing of time. it's only been four days. I've taken things with the flow so far and it's worked for me. I need to quit meddling and back off.
I had to get a new phone since mine freaked out on me. I also tried to return the bike tires Uriah and I bought the other day for the correct size, but it turns out the place is closed on Mondays. What I did do, is work on my display for the symposium. I made a couple of signs to be silkscreened and snuck into the resturant supply store. There, I bought some menu holders for my signs.
Tomorrow I plan to get back into the swing of things, - dig myself out of whatever games my mind has been playing and keep plodding along. After work, I'm going to grab the tires I need, return the supplies I got at Home Depot - wrong sizes for the book idea, and go thrifting with Halliday for a 1920's costume, oh and go for a bike ride- I need that.
I waited around for something to happen that ended up not happening. I need to chill out and relax, let things come as they may. This obsessing over what may or may not happen is not only unattractive, but jinxes any chances with this stagnate passing of time. it's only been four days. I've taken things with the flow so far and it's worked for me. I need to quit meddling and back off.
I had to get a new phone since mine freaked out on me. I also tried to return the bike tires Uriah and I bought the other day for the correct size, but it turns out the place is closed on Mondays. What I did do, is work on my display for the symposium. I made a couple of signs to be silkscreened and snuck into the resturant supply store. There, I bought some menu holders for my signs.
Tomorrow I plan to get back into the swing of things, - dig myself out of whatever games my mind has been playing and keep plodding along. After work, I'm going to grab the tires I need, return the supplies I got at Home Depot - wrong sizes for the book idea, and go thrifting with Halliday for a 1920's costume, oh and go for a bike ride- I need that.
Pecos Bill
* Pecos Bill zine cover - still needs to be scored on platen press.
* Milagro tag - possibly sell for a dollar?
Printing Pecos
Yesterday I spent the entire day working on my zine cover and the tag for milagros.
I didn't get started til after a few episodes of Buffy (finished season four) and ended late into the night. I printed the rest of my brown layer, blue layer, and final gold layer. Finished, it is a five color print that I must say, am very proud of. I have some great ideas for my next one, Paul Bunyon, but it will be a bit before I finish that one. Now for making my content...
I didn't get started til after a few episodes of Buffy (finished season four) and ended late into the night. I printed the rest of my brown layer, blue layer, and final gold layer. Finished, it is a five color print that I must say, am very proud of. I have some great ideas for my next one, Paul Bunyon, but it will be a bit before I finish that one. Now for making my content...
The Freakin' Fourth
Friday was started by heading out the fireworks alley and doing my thing. I come from a long line of fireworks hagglers (well, my dad.) and I don't no for an answer.
Fireworks alley is comprised of a bunch of small shacks turned into firework stores. There are probably ten to twelve all in a line. I parked at one and walked through a few before deciding on my end picks. I found that some stores specialized in family style vs. showy and other specialized in mid-size vs. large or small.
At the first place I went I found what I was looking for. A two foot tall package of kick-ass mortars. Only problem was the price - two hundred dollars, not feasible. The kid working there was trying hard to sell it to me but I knew I could find better so I went down the street.
The next place I went, I found the same firework for a quarter of the price. Not satisfied, I kept looking. The next place I found a bunch of mid-size fireworks on super discount, the sort of thing that was originally twenty is now 7.49.
In the end, I got Excalibur - the mortar shells - at quarter price with sparklers and firecrackers thrown in from one stand then Paint the Sky, some other cake, a tube mortar, ground blossoms, and roman candles from another guy. The tube mortar, ground blossoms, and roman candles were free. With a little bit of standing firm on free stuff and a dash of "this is my first fourth far away from home" a person can get pretty far in the fireworks department. I'll just say, I made my poppa proud.
After loading up on explosives, I went to Hammerpress to continue working on my zine cover. I finished printing the orange layer and the red-brown layer before I left to go find something to do. Oh, Brady gave me a key, that's how I got in.
My original plans with Halliday fell through and it started to look like I wouldn't find anyone to party with. I got kind of bummed as dark came and nothing looked promising. Around ten, Joe called and I met up with him at his boss' house. I had some pie and we stayed for about an hour before leaving for the next destination.
Erica was having a shindig at her house. There were probably around twenty to thirty people chilling at Erica's, just listening to music and setting off small fireworks. I laughed in the face of their sub-standard fireworks. We "porched it" and eventually I decided to pull out two of the "smaller" fireworks I had and show these people what real fire power looked like. My single mortar tube was first and pretty excellent. I will have to remember it for next year. It shot out with excellent report and exploded in to a nice green peony. The next was the smaller of my two cakes, which was alright. It was just like any other mid-range cake, though it made good noise.
Halliday called and said she was going to show at Erica's and I waited for her to arrive, but then left shortly after. I was kind of tired of the party and wanted to find people that could really appreciate big fireworks, the West Bottoms was bound to have some. I left Joe behind since he wasn't finished.
Back home, Zack from downstairs was hanging out setting off bottle rockets with some of his friends. I pulled out my second cake - which ended up being mostly noise, and then got out the big guns. Excalibur was probably worth the two hundred it was originally priced at. The mortars were loud with explosive, wide, colorful blooms. The warehouses on either side of the street amplified the sound to make them worth every penny I paid and far more. Each one was different. I set off eighteen out of twenty four, some two at a time to make for a fabulous show.
While it wasn't the best fourth ever, the night did pan out to go pretty nicely. Funny how what I was looking for was outside my own front door.
Fireworks alley is comprised of a bunch of small shacks turned into firework stores. There are probably ten to twelve all in a line. I parked at one and walked through a few before deciding on my end picks. I found that some stores specialized in family style vs. showy and other specialized in mid-size vs. large or small.
At the first place I went I found what I was looking for. A two foot tall package of kick-ass mortars. Only problem was the price - two hundred dollars, not feasible. The kid working there was trying hard to sell it to me but I knew I could find better so I went down the street.
The next place I went, I found the same firework for a quarter of the price. Not satisfied, I kept looking. The next place I found a bunch of mid-size fireworks on super discount, the sort of thing that was originally twenty is now 7.49.
In the end, I got Excalibur - the mortar shells - at quarter price with sparklers and firecrackers thrown in from one stand then Paint the Sky, some other cake, a tube mortar, ground blossoms, and roman candles from another guy. The tube mortar, ground blossoms, and roman candles were free. With a little bit of standing firm on free stuff and a dash of "this is my first fourth far away from home" a person can get pretty far in the fireworks department. I'll just say, I made my poppa proud.
After loading up on explosives, I went to Hammerpress to continue working on my zine cover. I finished printing the orange layer and the red-brown layer before I left to go find something to do. Oh, Brady gave me a key, that's how I got in.
My original plans with Halliday fell through and it started to look like I wouldn't find anyone to party with. I got kind of bummed as dark came and nothing looked promising. Around ten, Joe called and I met up with him at his boss' house. I had some pie and we stayed for about an hour before leaving for the next destination.
Erica was having a shindig at her house. There were probably around twenty to thirty people chilling at Erica's, just listening to music and setting off small fireworks. I laughed in the face of their sub-standard fireworks. We "porched it" and eventually I decided to pull out two of the "smaller" fireworks I had and show these people what real fire power looked like. My single mortar tube was first and pretty excellent. I will have to remember it for next year. It shot out with excellent report and exploded in to a nice green peony. The next was the smaller of my two cakes, which was alright. It was just like any other mid-range cake, though it made good noise.
Halliday called and said she was going to show at Erica's and I waited for her to arrive, but then left shortly after. I was kind of tired of the party and wanted to find people that could really appreciate big fireworks, the West Bottoms was bound to have some. I left Joe behind since he wasn't finished.
Back home, Zack from downstairs was hanging out setting off bottle rockets with some of his friends. I pulled out my second cake - which ended up being mostly noise, and then got out the big guns. Excalibur was probably worth the two hundred it was originally priced at. The mortars were loud with explosive, wide, colorful blooms. The warehouses on either side of the street amplified the sound to make them worth every penny I paid and far more. Each one was different. I set off eighteen out of twenty four, some two at a time to make for a fabulous show.
While it wasn't the best fourth ever, the night did pan out to go pretty nicely. Funny how what I was looking for was outside my own front door.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Free Range
Thursday
Most of the day was spent carving out a pointing finger linocut. I learned a thing or two about transferring images and am excited to use the idea when I return to PNCA. The mood of the office was super relaxed.
Carla from school stopped by to see me and talk to Brady about the possibility of interning for a month until she heads back to PNCA. I'm not really sure how that will work as a new girl is starting up on Monday and I can't figure how Hammerpress will handle many more interns. Free work though, I'm sure Brady can't find too many reasons to turn that down.
At the end of the day, I had an excellent talk with Brady about how I am doing. Since it is midsummer, I wanted to know if I was fitting in alright and doing my work well. Not only did he say that I was, but he told me it took a year for Bobby to be allowed to use the platen press I've been using the last week or so. In otherwords, I totally fit in and have been learning quick enough that Brady feels confident in my skills.
We also chatted a bit about art print ideas. I asked him if I could print my zine cover at Hammerpress. Brady said yes and that I could start it Friday if I wanted to since he and Lindsay were leaving town for his parents. Eek!
Thursday night was laid back as well, and I hung out while Uriah's band practiced for their First Friday gig. Their sound is excellent and sets a good tone, but the singer kind of mucks it up with her whiny voice. Later, Jared and I watched the Colbert Report and talked for a bit before it was time to go to sleep.
Friday
Work was completely fun. The whole feeling was like we were already on holiday. Since Brady was leaving town, Hammerpress was not going to be open for First Friday and thus the usual First Friday jitters were absent. We could relax and enjoy our day.
When I arrived, Brady had cleared one of the presses for me to work on and I dove in. Jen took the day off and Bobby printed some notecards and then dabbled with an insert for awhile.
For my zine cover, I decided to start with Pecos Bill and print about as many as my tolerance and attention span would let me. I cut down 300-ish pieces of chipboard to start with. I'd been itching to try the upside down woodtype effect and so I found some pieces that Brady had tossed aside and assembled a background. I was able to print the white layer and a few orange before I was done for the day. I also assembled my title and a tag for some milagros I am going to sell at the Zine Symposium.
Joe stopped by before we closed and checked out my progress before heading out to First Friday festivities. I feel incredibly at home printing and have had about a million ideas burst through my head. I hope I have enough time to get them all down.
Around five-thirty I went home to change. I wore my 1950's reproduction dress that I'd found at the DAV with Halliday - sleeveless with yellow and green foliage. I added my wide black belt and heels and must say I looked smashing. I got many compliments.
I met Halliday at Hammerpress and we wandered around looking for Uriah's band, which we didn't find until their last two songs. There had to be at least ten other bands playing outside and every time I heard one, I would have sworn it was them, but it wasn't. On our search we ran into Ron, the guy who commissioned the EX Post Facto poster. He was hanging them up everywhere he could and even had printed some smaller versions for handouts. The poster looked pretty fabulous, even though it was just black and white.
Halliday's dad found us at Uriah's band and we went out from there. We looked at art until the galleries kicked us out. Personally, the display was much more interesting this month around. Maybe I was too quick to judge Kansas City's art scene. While there was still alot of craft, we did see some excellent paintings.
Halliday was interested in hitting up some Karaoke at the Brick, and that's where we spent the rest of the night. I didn't sing anything, but I did dance my pants off.
Oh and the exterminator came while I was at work. Hopefully this means less fleas....
Most of the day was spent carving out a pointing finger linocut. I learned a thing or two about transferring images and am excited to use the idea when I return to PNCA. The mood of the office was super relaxed.
Carla from school stopped by to see me and talk to Brady about the possibility of interning for a month until she heads back to PNCA. I'm not really sure how that will work as a new girl is starting up on Monday and I can't figure how Hammerpress will handle many more interns. Free work though, I'm sure Brady can't find too many reasons to turn that down.
At the end of the day, I had an excellent talk with Brady about how I am doing. Since it is midsummer, I wanted to know if I was fitting in alright and doing my work well. Not only did he say that I was, but he told me it took a year for Bobby to be allowed to use the platen press I've been using the last week or so. In otherwords, I totally fit in and have been learning quick enough that Brady feels confident in my skills.
We also chatted a bit about art print ideas. I asked him if I could print my zine cover at Hammerpress. Brady said yes and that I could start it Friday if I wanted to since he and Lindsay were leaving town for his parents. Eek!
Thursday night was laid back as well, and I hung out while Uriah's band practiced for their First Friday gig. Their sound is excellent and sets a good tone, but the singer kind of mucks it up with her whiny voice. Later, Jared and I watched the Colbert Report and talked for a bit before it was time to go to sleep.
Friday
Work was completely fun. The whole feeling was like we were already on holiday. Since Brady was leaving town, Hammerpress was not going to be open for First Friday and thus the usual First Friday jitters were absent. We could relax and enjoy our day.
When I arrived, Brady had cleared one of the presses for me to work on and I dove in. Jen took the day off and Bobby printed some notecards and then dabbled with an insert for awhile.
For my zine cover, I decided to start with Pecos Bill and print about as many as my tolerance and attention span would let me. I cut down 300-ish pieces of chipboard to start with. I'd been itching to try the upside down woodtype effect and so I found some pieces that Brady had tossed aside and assembled a background. I was able to print the white layer and a few orange before I was done for the day. I also assembled my title and a tag for some milagros I am going to sell at the Zine Symposium.
Joe stopped by before we closed and checked out my progress before heading out to First Friday festivities. I feel incredibly at home printing and have had about a million ideas burst through my head. I hope I have enough time to get them all down.
Around five-thirty I went home to change. I wore my 1950's reproduction dress that I'd found at the DAV with Halliday - sleeveless with yellow and green foliage. I added my wide black belt and heels and must say I looked smashing. I got many compliments.
I met Halliday at Hammerpress and we wandered around looking for Uriah's band, which we didn't find until their last two songs. There had to be at least ten other bands playing outside and every time I heard one, I would have sworn it was them, but it wasn't. On our search we ran into Ron, the guy who commissioned the EX Post Facto poster. He was hanging them up everywhere he could and even had printed some smaller versions for handouts. The poster looked pretty fabulous, even though it was just black and white.
Halliday's dad found us at Uriah's band and we went out from there. We looked at art until the galleries kicked us out. Personally, the display was much more interesting this month around. Maybe I was too quick to judge Kansas City's art scene. While there was still alot of craft, we did see some excellent paintings.
Halliday was interested in hitting up some Karaoke at the Brick, and that's where we spent the rest of the night. I didn't sing anything, but I did dance my pants off.
Oh and the exterminator came while I was at work. Hopefully this means less fleas....
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thoughts
Tuesday and Wednesday didn't have much to offer in the way of interesting events.
Tuesday I printed over 1000 business cards before lunch and found wearing tennis shoes makes a large difference with how quickly one can get 1000 done with (I did not mention this to Brady as he has commented before how he thinks it's odd I wear flip flops all the time). Some packaging was done, and some "limited edition" stationary printed (actually Brady trying to find a use for some old ledger pages).
Tuesday night there was a show, but between biking, and little sleep the previous night, it wasn't anything that grabbed my attention enough to stop me from falling asleep.
Wednesday had more printing, and some screw ups to go with. I cut down thousands of inserts and prepped the presses for tomorrow. Brady and I discussed an art print idea, and I have to make some sketches, but he's up for me adding to my portfolio (the ABC print has been a big hit).
I've got to get working on my zine. I've decided it is going to be a collection of American mythology. My first one is going to be on Pecos Bill, then Paul Bunyon. I want to do issues on John Henry, Casey Jones, Hiawatha, and Johnny Appleseed as well (probably in the order). Time is passing way too quickly and that is where I am going to....
So, here I am in Kansas City. More than once, I've looked around me said; "Where the fuck am I, and how the fuck did I get here?". At times, I don't know what to make of it.
I'm sitting here and trying to think of how I can possibly write the sentiments that are rolling around in my head. Forgive me if my point doesn't come across exactly, but then I am trying to hash out a point where I am jumping forword, and I can't say I entirely make sense, even to myself.
Is it possible for there to be an alternate reality, in your reality? It feels like I've been dropped into a place that I've actually been for years, and just now time has caught up with me. The people I've met, the places I've been - I feel an easy familiarity that would speak of age, the only lacking quality being memories. I've never made friends this fast, or become part of a community so quickly. It isn't my home, but it is my refuge.
Thinking of Portland, I know time goes on, but I can't grasp it. I know I have a life that exists there, but it isn't tangible.
Coming here, I've realised how much of myself I've sacrificed in the last year. What I am, and who I love has been set aside in a futile attempt to build something in a place that doesn't have a foundation to start from. Last year I put a lot of work in, had it credited to others, and was dismissed due to a lack of acceptable communication, that was never addressed due to a lack of acceptable communication. Every step that I've taken seems like a battle hard won. I'm tired of it. I need to regroup.
In comes Kansas City, a place where I know no one and now know everyone. Doors are opening without me asking - or begging. I have that feeling at the tips of my fingers - the one where you know your art is progressing and it's all you can do to make more. fuck I don't want to jinx it, but I think my creative blockage is coming undone - I just realized this. I've been struggling with concepts since last September...
I'm being asked to make art outside of art school and there is even the possibilty of my making (alittle) real money at it. I have a great deal of creative freedom, and what more could I possibility demand of my situation? I'm going forword - fast. I feel powerful and as though (just maybe) finally I am an artistic contender.
And all of this comes with the added benefit that I've done it as myself. I dance when I want to dance, swear when I want to swear, drink when I feel like it, eat properly, socialize when, with who, and how I please. My speech has improved with the absence of art school and once again I sound as though I've read a book.
I'm carrying on and still don't feel like I've quite captured where I am coming from or even more importantly, where I am going, but the main point of this rant is that I am staying. Not forever, but for the next semester. Kansas City has more in store for me and I need to explore it.
I don't mean this to be insulting to anyone back in Portland. There are a handful of excellent friends there who I love dearly and miss, (I will keep writing!!!) but you must understand, I am recharging. I'll be home in August for a bit to tie up some ends, so you will see me soon.
Tuesday I printed over 1000 business cards before lunch and found wearing tennis shoes makes a large difference with how quickly one can get 1000 done with (I did not mention this to Brady as he has commented before how he thinks it's odd I wear flip flops all the time). Some packaging was done, and some "limited edition" stationary printed (actually Brady trying to find a use for some old ledger pages).
Tuesday night there was a show, but between biking, and little sleep the previous night, it wasn't anything that grabbed my attention enough to stop me from falling asleep.
Wednesday had more printing, and some screw ups to go with. I cut down thousands of inserts and prepped the presses for tomorrow. Brady and I discussed an art print idea, and I have to make some sketches, but he's up for me adding to my portfolio (the ABC print has been a big hit).
I've got to get working on my zine. I've decided it is going to be a collection of American mythology. My first one is going to be on Pecos Bill, then Paul Bunyon. I want to do issues on John Henry, Casey Jones, Hiawatha, and Johnny Appleseed as well (probably in the order). Time is passing way too quickly and that is where I am going to....
-----------------------
So, here I am in Kansas City. More than once, I've looked around me said; "Where the fuck am I, and how the fuck did I get here?". At times, I don't know what to make of it.
I'm sitting here and trying to think of how I can possibly write the sentiments that are rolling around in my head. Forgive me if my point doesn't come across exactly, but then I am trying to hash out a point where I am jumping forword, and I can't say I entirely make sense, even to myself.
Is it possible for there to be an alternate reality, in your reality? It feels like I've been dropped into a place that I've actually been for years, and just now time has caught up with me. The people I've met, the places I've been - I feel an easy familiarity that would speak of age, the only lacking quality being memories. I've never made friends this fast, or become part of a community so quickly. It isn't my home, but it is my refuge.
Thinking of Portland, I know time goes on, but I can't grasp it. I know I have a life that exists there, but it isn't tangible.
Coming here, I've realised how much of myself I've sacrificed in the last year. What I am, and who I love has been set aside in a futile attempt to build something in a place that doesn't have a foundation to start from. Last year I put a lot of work in, had it credited to others, and was dismissed due to a lack of acceptable communication, that was never addressed due to a lack of acceptable communication. Every step that I've taken seems like a battle hard won. I'm tired of it. I need to regroup.
In comes Kansas City, a place where I know no one and now know everyone. Doors are opening without me asking - or begging. I have that feeling at the tips of my fingers - the one where you know your art is progressing and it's all you can do to make more. fuck I don't want to jinx it, but I think my creative blockage is coming undone - I just realized this. I've been struggling with concepts since last September...
I'm being asked to make art outside of art school and there is even the possibilty of my making (alittle) real money at it. I have a great deal of creative freedom, and what more could I possibility demand of my situation? I'm going forword - fast. I feel powerful and as though (just maybe) finally I am an artistic contender.
And all of this comes with the added benefit that I've done it as myself. I dance when I want to dance, swear when I want to swear, drink when I feel like it, eat properly, socialize when, with who, and how I please. My speech has improved with the absence of art school and once again I sound as though I've read a book.
I'm carrying on and still don't feel like I've quite captured where I am coming from or even more importantly, where I am going, but the main point of this rant is that I am staying. Not forever, but for the next semester. Kansas City has more in store for me and I need to explore it.
I don't mean this to be insulting to anyone back in Portland. There are a handful of excellent friends there who I love dearly and miss, (I will keep writing!!!) but you must understand, I am recharging. I'll be home in August for a bit to tie up some ends, so you will see me soon.
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