Monday, August 31, 2009
Artz
Here are some more scratch boards from my Pecos Bill project, not as happy with them as I could be... I've also included my first sketch from my sketch-a-day book of the West Bottoms. We'll see if I can keep that up.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Baconfest and the Birthday of Charlie Parker
Saturday, August 29th
Baconfest! The morning greeted me to half a dozen tents being set up on the street below. There were a handful of food booths with bacon delights and a pig corral that held a very tired but cute little pink pig. At 11, Patrick (from Foundation next door) turned on the tunes and the party was started.
Part of the Pistol prerogative is "snaking" free food and booze. Baconfest is such an occasion where it is my duty to do so. From the secret location of my room, I surveyed the crowd with an an eye details to help the success of my snaking. Wristbands would be a problem, but not with long sleeves. I threw on my light thermal and went to see what Baconfest was about.
Baconfest was a testament to all that Bacon is - a desert, a pizza, an alcoholic beverage. There were large pans brimming with crispy strips and a vendor doling out the most delicious bacon barbecue sandwich I'd ever tasted. Since admission was thirty dollars, all of the food and drinks were free. Since the festival was in my front yard, the entire thing was free.
At two the festival wrapped up and I returned, well fed, to my base. Eventually I got so bored I needed to get out of my room. I went to the Plaza to scout out job opportunities. In the evening there was a show next door and I snaked some more drinks before going to bed.
Sunday, August 30th
I woke up at 9 and listened to my audio book for an hour while Cecil attempted to win my love back with the virtue of annoyance. At 11, Joe burst in and told me that if I wanted, the Hearts of Darkness' crazy red-head stepchild, The Dirty Force (Top of the Bottoms) were going to preform at a Jazz funeral/birthday celebration for the famous Charlie Parker, and if I wanted we were invited to go with.
Well, I wanted to clean the Pistol, but how could I turn down that offer? Originally we dressed in normal clothes, but Joe reported the Dirty Force were going to be dressing up, after all, they were taking part in a Jazz funeral procession - or more like were the procession (Dirty Force is a Funeral inspired Mardi Gras band). So instead of jeans, I donned a brown pencil shirt and forties style red blouse, red lipstick, and my new gold wedges. I finished putting up my hair and we were off.
There were four carloads of musicians and their instruments. We arrived at Lincoln Cemetery to find it full of cars. There were probably eighty to a hundred people standing around, a dozen or so with saxophones. We milled about for fifteen-ish minutes and then the eulogies started. There were four speakers followed by a jazz improve by the saxophone players. The event ended with the funeral procession by The Dirty Force. The whole thing probably lasted an hour and a half.
Joe and I went home, changed, and immediately left again for cheap Mexican food. Then we came back to the Pistol. I napped, then awoke to start sweeping and dusting.
At seven Halliday called and picked me up a half hour later - drive in movie at 8. We picked up a pizza, some drinks, and joined up with some of her friends that we'd met at the show on Friday. Halliday had tricked out her trunk with a cooler and blankets, although it paled in comparison to another couple who brought their porch rocker, table, and a rug.
The movies were Halloween II and Inglorious Bastards.
Halloween II was a grizzly attempt at making a horror movie but relied on cheap tricks to try to scare its audience. The effects used blood and guts as a crutch and the story was choppy at best. Not enough psychological play and too much stabbing. There is no way one man could kill a hospital full of people. Not even if that man is Michael Myers. Oh, and the whole "I love you brother" at the end. Lame.
Inglorious Bastards was supposed to be a film about killing Nazis and I was disappointed. I thought that Tarantino would have used his great tricks to make an excellent film, but I don't think the movie lived up to the trailer.
The night was fun none the less and I am going back to the drive in next weekend for Greaserama.
Baconfest! The morning greeted me to half a dozen tents being set up on the street below. There were a handful of food booths with bacon delights and a pig corral that held a very tired but cute little pink pig. At 11, Patrick (from Foundation next door) turned on the tunes and the party was started.
Part of the Pistol prerogative is "snaking" free food and booze. Baconfest is such an occasion where it is my duty to do so. From the secret location of my room, I surveyed the crowd with an an eye details to help the success of my snaking. Wristbands would be a problem, but not with long sleeves. I threw on my light thermal and went to see what Baconfest was about.
Baconfest was a testament to all that Bacon is - a desert, a pizza, an alcoholic beverage. There were large pans brimming with crispy strips and a vendor doling out the most delicious bacon barbecue sandwich I'd ever tasted. Since admission was thirty dollars, all of the food and drinks were free. Since the festival was in my front yard, the entire thing was free.
At two the festival wrapped up and I returned, well fed, to my base. Eventually I got so bored I needed to get out of my room. I went to the Plaza to scout out job opportunities. In the evening there was a show next door and I snaked some more drinks before going to bed.
Sunday, August 30th
I woke up at 9 and listened to my audio book for an hour while Cecil attempted to win my love back with the virtue of annoyance. At 11, Joe burst in and told me that if I wanted, the Hearts of Darkness' crazy red-head stepchild, The Dirty Force (Top of the Bottoms) were going to preform at a Jazz funeral/birthday celebration for the famous Charlie Parker, and if I wanted we were invited to go with.
Well, I wanted to clean the Pistol, but how could I turn down that offer? Originally we dressed in normal clothes, but Joe reported the Dirty Force were going to be dressing up, after all, they were taking part in a Jazz funeral procession - or more like were the procession (Dirty Force is a Funeral inspired Mardi Gras band). So instead of jeans, I donned a brown pencil shirt and forties style red blouse, red lipstick, and my new gold wedges. I finished putting up my hair and we were off.
There were four carloads of musicians and their instruments. We arrived at Lincoln Cemetery to find it full of cars. There were probably eighty to a hundred people standing around, a dozen or so with saxophones. We milled about for fifteen-ish minutes and then the eulogies started. There were four speakers followed by a jazz improve by the saxophone players. The event ended with the funeral procession by The Dirty Force. The whole thing probably lasted an hour and a half.
Joe and I went home, changed, and immediately left again for cheap Mexican food. Then we came back to the Pistol. I napped, then awoke to start sweeping and dusting.
At seven Halliday called and picked me up a half hour later - drive in movie at 8. We picked up a pizza, some drinks, and joined up with some of her friends that we'd met at the show on Friday. Halliday had tricked out her trunk with a cooler and blankets, although it paled in comparison to another couple who brought their porch rocker, table, and a rug.
The movies were Halloween II and Inglorious Bastards.
Halloween II was a grizzly attempt at making a horror movie but relied on cheap tricks to try to scare its audience. The effects used blood and guts as a crutch and the story was choppy at best. Not enough psychological play and too much stabbing. There is no way one man could kill a hospital full of people. Not even if that man is Michael Myers. Oh, and the whole "I love you brother" at the end. Lame.
Inglorious Bastards was supposed to be a film about killing Nazis and I was disappointed. I thought that Tarantino would have used his great tricks to make an excellent film, but I don't think the movie lived up to the trailer.
The night was fun none the less and I am going back to the drive in next weekend for Greaserama.
On the blog again
Much has happened since I last wrote.
I drove the Oregon Trail, made some yard sale cash, saw friendly faces, and made some trouble here in K.C.
Before driving out from Poulsbo, my brother, his wife, and I had a yard sale. Lessons were learned and I will have to remember, Saturday is the most lucrative day. My brother took most of my money on Sunday as "dues" so I left early to pack for my trip.
Sunday night my good friend Tami and I met up for some navy bar escapades and in the early morn, my mom and I left for Kansas City.
Monday, August 24th
One month since the day I left Kansas City, I left Poulsbo. Monday I was sick from allergies and so I didn't drive much. The drive was the same one we took in May - Poulsbo to Bozeman. The Motel 8 had Golden Girls and I fell asleep watching them.
Tuesday, August 25
Bozeman, MT to Scott's Bluff, NE. The drive was much shorter. This time instead of crossing into the Dakotas, our trek took us south into Wyoming and from there into Nebraska. We met the Oregon Trail at Fort Laramie near the Nebraska border and followed it to our day's destination at Scott's Bluff.
We weren't purposely tracing the trail, but today's modern-day highway follows it because of the natural ease of the land - the very reason pioneers chose the route. Although coincidental, the historical part of it was the most exciting part about our trip.
In Fort Laramie, the rain was pouring hard enough we were unable look at the site (no umbrellas) although I did strike up enough courage to hike a short distance to Oregon Trail tracks that had been cut into solid rock. A mile or so away was Register Cliff, a cliff face (go figure) that contained the signatures of thousands in its side. There were many from the 1800's (the earliest I saw was from 1820), although sadly I saw one carved as recently as 2005. Near the tracks I found a very faded, but distinguishable signature from JR - 1888 next to a much larger and legible Sam and Peggy - 1979.
"The sandstone rocks near Guernsey .... Here, the trail ruts are not to be missed since they are carved into the stone. Some gouges are more than four feet deep! These deep ruts result from years of wagon wear and from intentional cutting by emigrants attempting to ease the steep passage up from the level river bottom to the High Plains. .... A short drive from the trail ruts back through Guernsey takes visitors to Register Cliff, .... Following a day’s journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff and inscribed their names into the rock face. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area, but most of the names visible today were carved during the 1840s and 1850s when the Oregon Trail was at its height. Today, visitors can walk along the cliff base to view the signatures up close."
Wednesday, August 26th
We started the day at Scott's Bluff National Monument. The fog was so thick nothing could be seen until we were upon it. Then the fog cleared to reveal a bright blue sky with the fog cloud hovering inbetween the towering rock formations of the bluff. It was awe inspiring to stand there were at one point a good 150 thousand plus people traveled through to the west. We walked the tracks from a few yards and then were on our way.
The second stop of the day was at Chimney Rock - another monument on the Oregon Trail. We arrived as the museum opened. I was surprised to find out that Chimney Rock is significantly shorter than it was when the pioneers rode by - I'd say maybe even 50 - 60 feet shorter.
We didn't stop at Courthouse Rock, but did at a Pony Express station. After said Station we booked it across the rest of Nebraska to Lincoln and from there to Kansas City. We arrived late in the night and rose again early to take my mom to the airport.
Thursday, August 27th, I slept. Oh, and started Travels with Charley
Friday, August 28th
I met Halliday and we went to a basement show where I oddly enough ran into a new hiree at Hammerpress. Eric, was hired to run the larger automatic platen presses by Brady and it is he who vies for my hours. I crushed him and then laughed at his remains. No not really, we laughed about our meeting and had a good time. He might come to the show on Tuesday at the Pistol.
Speaking of the Pistol. I should be cleaning it right now. Joe has lived here more or less alone for a month and it looks it. I need some air fresheners too. Uriah is moving out with his girlfriend Jenny. Lame.
I drove the Oregon Trail, made some yard sale cash, saw friendly faces, and made some trouble here in K.C.
Before driving out from Poulsbo, my brother, his wife, and I had a yard sale. Lessons were learned and I will have to remember, Saturday is the most lucrative day. My brother took most of my money on Sunday as "dues" so I left early to pack for my trip.
Sunday night my good friend Tami and I met up for some navy bar escapades and in the early morn, my mom and I left for Kansas City.
Monday, August 24th
One month since the day I left Kansas City, I left Poulsbo. Monday I was sick from allergies and so I didn't drive much. The drive was the same one we took in May - Poulsbo to Bozeman. The Motel 8 had Golden Girls and I fell asleep watching them.
Tuesday, August 25
Bozeman, MT to Scott's Bluff, NE. The drive was much shorter. This time instead of crossing into the Dakotas, our trek took us south into Wyoming and from there into Nebraska. We met the Oregon Trail at Fort Laramie near the Nebraska border and followed it to our day's destination at Scott's Bluff.
We weren't purposely tracing the trail, but today's modern-day highway follows it because of the natural ease of the land - the very reason pioneers chose the route. Although coincidental, the historical part of it was the most exciting part about our trip.
In Fort Laramie, the rain was pouring hard enough we were unable look at the site (no umbrellas) although I did strike up enough courage to hike a short distance to Oregon Trail tracks that had been cut into solid rock. A mile or so away was Register Cliff, a cliff face (go figure) that contained the signatures of thousands in its side. There were many from the 1800's (the earliest I saw was from 1820), although sadly I saw one carved as recently as 2005. Near the tracks I found a very faded, but distinguishable signature from JR - 1888 next to a much larger and legible Sam and Peggy - 1979.
"The sandstone rocks near Guernsey .... Here, the trail ruts are not to be missed since they are carved into the stone. Some gouges are more than four feet deep! These deep ruts result from years of wagon wear and from intentional cutting by emigrants attempting to ease the steep passage up from the level river bottom to the High Plains. .... A short drive from the trail ruts back through Guernsey takes visitors to Register Cliff, .... Following a day’s journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff and inscribed their names into the rock face. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area, but most of the names visible today were carved during the 1840s and 1850s when the Oregon Trail was at its height. Today, visitors can walk along the cliff base to view the signatures up close."
Wednesday, August 26th
We started the day at Scott's Bluff National Monument. The fog was so thick nothing could be seen until we were upon it. Then the fog cleared to reveal a bright blue sky with the fog cloud hovering inbetween the towering rock formations of the bluff. It was awe inspiring to stand there were at one point a good 150 thousand plus people traveled through to the west. We walked the tracks from a few yards and then were on our way.
The second stop of the day was at Chimney Rock - another monument on the Oregon Trail. We arrived as the museum opened. I was surprised to find out that Chimney Rock is significantly shorter than it was when the pioneers rode by - I'd say maybe even 50 - 60 feet shorter.
We didn't stop at Courthouse Rock, but did at a Pony Express station. After said Station we booked it across the rest of Nebraska to Lincoln and from there to Kansas City. We arrived late in the night and rose again early to take my mom to the airport.
Thursday, August 27th, I slept. Oh, and started Travels with Charley
Friday, August 28th
I met Halliday and we went to a basement show where I oddly enough ran into a new hiree at Hammerpress. Eric, was hired to run the larger automatic platen presses by Brady and it is he who vies for my hours. I crushed him and then laughed at his remains. No not really, we laughed about our meeting and had a good time. He might come to the show on Tuesday at the Pistol.
Speaking of the Pistol. I should be cleaning it right now. Joe has lived here more or less alone for a month and it looks it. I need some air fresheners too. Uriah is moving out with his girlfriend Jenny. Lame.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
On the road again...soon.
Back to Washington.
My stay in Portland is hours from being over. I'm ready to go back to Kansas City, but things are looking like they'll be different than I planned.
*** No KCAI. I'm going to be doing an independent study with Martin French instead. I'll be taking the class I was going to be taking originally (Illustration Visual Vocabulary - Wednesdays @ 11) but online, instead of in person. Since I've taken the class before, it is a chance to stretch my wings and see if I can't take the ground running this time around.
*** More working. Two jobs, at least. Hammerpress will be one, but according to an email I received today, it looks as though Brady may not be able to pay me for as many days as I was anticipating. Halliday works at a teashop where the work is easy and when it isn't busy, I would be able to work on my own projects. Only down point is; would they take me from 6 to ten? Halliday goes in at 3.
Option number two is the infamous Lulu's, where I understand the manager stinks to high heaven, but Uriah worked from 6pm to ten or eleven, so I imagine I could too - bonus, it is located about a block away from Hammerpress.
Option three is Grinders, a bar/greasy spoon also not far from Hammerpress.
I'm sure there are more, most of which include food service, but I will have to see what they pay to better ascertain how many I will have to take on. I've wanted to work as a bartender, maybe now is a good time to try it out.
Things I've got to do when I get back:
1. FIX BIKE! No more squeakage. I want to be able to ride it to work and I will annoy the shit out of myself if it squeaks all the way there.
2. Find job - no more than two week time span for this
3. Reestablish myself at Manny's.
4. Create poster for Pistol show - no more than two week time span for this
5. Check out the arts INKubator and make sure my stuff hasn't been thrown out
6. Eat either Mayan Tostada or North African plate at YJ's
7. Find local doctor
Monday, August 17, 2009
odds and ends.
More printing today, and appointments. Getting everything settled for going back to KC.
Communication. I have issues with listening, and I have issues with responding. Why? I'm honestly a bit embarrassed to be confronted by them, but confront them I must. I've had this issue since I was 18, or well that was the first time it was pointed out to me. Damn, that's five years and I only feel slightly better than then.
New motto. Sit down and shut up. Mostly shut up. Stop opening your big mouth and hear what it is people have to say. Better to say too little and have your words respected than say too much and have them ignored.
I feel a little lost. I don't feel like I'm home in Portland, and Kansas City seems a little empty. Hammerpress will be great and I know I'll get along fine again, but man, I sure wish I had that person to talk to.
update
Currently I am sitting with Diana, Trillian and Phil, waiting for Tabitha. Everyone has dug through my pile of Hammerpress goodies. I'm pretty confident they liked what they found. I missed hanging out with these folks :) We're talking about Stumptown plans and excellent plans they are.
Earlier today Phil caught me feeding my houseplant addiction. Maybe I need help...
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Relaxation and printing meditation
Yesterday was a combination letterpress and reading day.
Also with a dash of homemade dinner thrown in for good measure for Diana and Robin. They have been excellent hosts. Robin made me breakfast this morning - french cinnamon toast!
After dinner we watched Roman Holiday with JP. He mentioned going over to his place to watch it, and since he lives in my old apt, I'm not quite sure I would have liked that. At the start of dinner I felt odd with him there, but I loosened up, since it is silly to harbor feelings against him. JP didn't not rehire me, or stress me out to the point of tears, or boot me from my home. He is just the guy who took my place, and that really isn't his fault.
Today is more printing, and then maybe scratch board? Or illicitly reading a book without buying it in Powell's.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
More Portland
Not having a home to distract me has been surprisingly refreshing.
There is nowhere to sleep until noon, nothing to straighten or clean, and no computer to sit endlessly in front of.
The only option I have for computers is Robin or Diana's (whose I don't want to abuse) or the ones at school. I have little to do other than my art all day because I am flat broke. In response, I have been slightly productive.
Yesterday Diana and I walked to breakfast where we met up with Robin. Walking home we explored some interesting hat shops and after we rested in their apartment until 3:30, at which point they had a meeting at school to attend. I busied myself with printing.
I worked on my sister's baby shower invite until the school closed. I wowed some folks with my new letterpress skillz and I think I started a new trend of turning wooden type upside down for the texture. We shall see how it jumps off.
At closing time, seven, Robin and I had some burritos and walked up to 23rd for some cake. We were going to take it to the park but realized we were more tired than we'd previously thought. Instead we sat down to watch Saving Grace.
Post movie, I promptly passed out.
Three things: 1. I got a comment that I looked nicely tan -go figure! 2. Printing raised my mood 100%, I feel very much relaxed when working with the press. 3. It is nice to see one's friends again.
Oh! did I mention Rick Steve's Europe is on Hulu ?!?!
Friday, August 14, 2009
P-town bound
Well, my spirits are recuperating.
Yesterday was spent twiddling my thumbs and passing time until my turn in the print lab came to be. I updated my online projects and caught up on Stephen Colbert, as well as went to see Harry Potter and the Search for More Money. I wasn't impressed and as usual the acting didn't live up to my standards. Maybe I am a Harry Potter snob, but if that is the case I should learn my lesson and have seen Public Enemy instead. Ah well, can't go back.
The movie ended in time for me to get some prep work in the print lab finished before the school closed. I left to wander the hallowed grounds of Powell's for a half an hour, until I realized I didn't have the money to spend on the book I wanted (a guide book to Northern Cali).
I showed up at Diana's and Robins at the pre-agreed ten o'clock and we talked for a few hours until I passed out on the couch.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
My heart hurts.
Adam is gone.
Last night he drove me to my car, helped pack up my things, kissed me goodbye and drove away. I have no idea when I'll see him again. He certainly won't becoming back to Portland...
Adam is leaving for Atlanta. He has a wonderful opportunity there and I'm sure he will grow rapidly. It will be amazing from his talents and when he is finished, I am excited to see what he'll have become. However, our time here in Portland is finished. That sucks.
He told me how much it hurt to not have me in Portland over the summer and I guess I didn't really understand. Kansas City was working so well I didn't really stop to think of what Portland must have been like. Now I get to.
Adam is my best friend. Everything around here reminds me of him and the fact I don't have him here stinks.
I don't have a home right now and back in Kansas City, that made me mad that I'd have no where to live while I'm here, but in retrospect I'm glad. I don't think I'd like being in my apartment without him. I can't imagine what it must have been like to stay there and have all of my things around him. No wonder he felt so bad.
My heart hurts and I don't know how to make it go away. I want to be excited about being back in Portland, but it is difficult. In general it is pretty hard to see things in a good light right now.
I want to have him around again, all the time, like he was before, but when am I going to Atlanta? When would he go to Kansas City? It would be awful to ask him to come back to Portland. From where I am standing, my year here in Portland looks pretty lonely. I am glad I'm going to Kansas City. I need to get away from this....
I miss Adam so much.
The Golden State
August 6th - I arrived in San Francisco at 9:30am. I was flying there to meet Adam so we could go to his older sister's wedding on the 8th. We planned a day for ourselves on the 6th.
Adam was already in California being a glass star with Loren Stump and Emilio Santini. His class had finished on Sunday and he'd since been hanging out at Loren's studio waiting for me to arrive.
Our goal was to see as much of San Fran as physically possible in one day, and I think we did a good job. We started at the Fisherman's Wharf (I got to drive down Lombard Street on the way there), shared a bread bowl for lunch, then walked the financial district and ended in China Town for dinner. After potstickers, we were both too tired and poor to continue, so we went to our hotel and fell fast asleep.
The next day, August 7th, we drove to Monterey and took part in pre-wedding parties. There was the wedding rehearsal, rehearsal barbeque, and after barbeque drinks. I met Adam's dad's large side of the family and ate more Mexican food.
Speaking of food, I haven't eaten yet. I'll finish this up after I do.
Okay, August 8th - Andrea's wedding was lovely. It was held at this beach side resort in a spot overlooking the water. The resort catered and provided almost everything. The wedding was picturesque to say the least. Adam made glass flowers for Andrea's bridal bouquet and they were ooh'ed and ahh'ed over by everyone. The photographer said he'd been doing wedding's along time and had never seen anything like it. He also mentioned that Adam should go into business making glass bridal bouquets, Adam though this would be a good idea.
There was much dancing at the reception and everyone left feeling the wedding went very well.
The 9th and 10th were spent with Adam's family exploring Monterey. We went swimming at Lover's Point, explored tide pools, watched beautiful sunsets and traversed the aquarium. Adam felt at home in Monterey, one of the place he grew up, and was obviously excited to see the aquarium and tide pools.
The evening of the 10th, the two of us said goodbye to Adam's family and drove up the coast to Humboldt State Park. (When crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, there was so much fog, we couldn't even see it.) We arrived too late to find a real camping spot, so we pitched our tent on the side of the road.
The next day we signed up for environmental camping at the ranger station and spent our one day in the woods tromping through redwood trails and streams. I think we are going to attempt to go every year. My heart hurt leaving so early.
Yesterday, we drove home. Last night I had to say goodbye....
This land is my land...
The last three months: Portland to Poulsbo, WA - Bozeman, MT - Murdo, SD - Kansas City, Mo - Dodge City KS, - Santa Fe, NM - Taos, NM - Abiquiu, NM - Moab, UT - Price, UT - Salt Lake City, UT - Boise, ID - Poulsbo, WA - Portland, OR - San Francisco, CA - Monterey, CA - Humboldt State Park, CA - Grants Pass, OR - Portland, OR. (From Dodge City to Portland within a span of the last three weeks)
I've traveled through Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and California.
I've driven many miles and have more to go, but for a few days I get to relax and stay here in Portland. I'm feeling a little down and I'll explain why in paragraphs to come...
July 23rd- With my mom in tow, we left Kansas City for Dodge City, Kansas. I would have thought there would be more "Western" tourist cashing in, but there ended up being only one block wide area that was gated in and looked like something from Knotts Berry farm. It was eight or so dollars to go in, so my mom and I passed it up. Some new facts about Dodge City: 1. D.C. is home to two meat packing plants, one of which is the second largest in the United States. 2. Between 1871 and 1875 D.C. was the hub for the mass slaughter of a couple million buffalo. Within four years the trade boomed and died out, so through was the hunting and killing of the buffalo.
July 24th - included driving. We went from Dodge City to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Coincidentally, we we arrived in Santa Fe on the weekend of the Spanish Market. The Spanish Market is a big street fair focused on Hispanic Art, much of which is Catholic/Saint themed.
July 25th and 26th - Spent the days between Santa Fe and Taos. Both cities are quite overrun with tourism. That set aside, (as hard as it might be) the spirit of the of the area was wonderful. The artistic culture includes a fair amount of Dia De Los Muertos, Santos, and general Catholic themes. I enjoyed seeing pictures of saints in many stores and statues dressed with symbolic clothing in the churches.
On the 26th my mother and I went to Taos Pueblo, very interesting to see an active dwelling like that.
Ate much good mexican food. Had the best tamale's in a alley way cantina. If only I could eat them everyday... goal for me: learn to make killer tamales.
July 27th - August 1st - Ghost Ranch (http://www.ghostranch.org/). This time period I was out of cell and internet service, except if I drove out a few mile and then I could make a phone call. The land was awe-inspiringly beautiful and the location peaceful. We took a watercolor class as part of the retreat center and I realized how much it is I know about painting, I was honestly kind of surprised. I was more advance than the class so instead I worked on my scratchboards and walked around thinking. There was a great deal of thinking and talking with my mom. The weather was wild, hot and sunny in the morning, cold(ish) and stormy at night.
On the 31st my good friends moved me out of my apartment and I thank them very much. I owe you guys. I was stressed out beyond belief wondering how I'd get myself out of there.
August 2nd. - More driving. From Abiquiu to Price. We stopped in Moab to see Arches National Park. Well worth seeing and even more worth going back to. Next time I will have to take rock climbing shoes. It was like the world's best jungle gym, and the nicest part is, it's okay to climb on the rocks!
More good mexican food.
August 3rd - Saw my old friend Katie Wiseman and her new baby girl, Sophie!!! I spent two hours with her just out side Salt Lake and saw that she is doing very well. Her husband Ben is very nice and I look forwards to when they live closer. Her baby slept the whole time and never pooped on me once.
August 4th and 5th - Arrived in Poulsbo around dinner time. Had pizza with my parents. The next morning I went into the Toyota dealership to have the spark plugs on my car fixed then drove to Portland. Arrived around 5pm, just in time to catch Jenny, Uriah, and Tyler. Went out to Indian food with them and Jenny's sister. After, I gave them a small tour of Portland. Stayed up until 2am hanging out, only to get up at 4 so I could drop my car off at Adam Poolman's. The off to the airport....
KCMO tie up.
So I haven't posted in some time, but now I'll start back up.
To tie up my last week in KCMO, I took part in a dance show, did well enough that the troupe asked me to join while I'm in town. Carla, from PNCA, showed up at Hammerpress and started interning in Wendy's spot on Tuesday and Thursdays. I left on Thursday the 23rd and have been gone for three weeks. I've been in and out of cell service/internet and have traveled many miles....
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