A very magical Friday

Okay, so this time I have a legit reason for being behind. Just as I catch up, something else happens and I forget to blog, but I promise the reason is good.

Thursday - Spent the day printing calenders and learning about layering inks. The calender I've been working on has 5 thick layers of ink and when there are large expanses (verses a small business card) of many layers of ink it is difficult to make sure they lay down smoothly.

While I was printing Brady was working on the Wilco poster and we had a good talk. We discussed printing, how he started Hammerpress, among other things. I don't think I asked too many questions and the ones I asked, he seemed to like to answer. I feel like I'm back in my niche at Hammerpress. We also talked about projects that are coming up and how the Heidelberg is making such a vast difference in his production abilities.

After work, I finished my illustration(still not happy with it) and waited for..... Adam!!! (Who was supposed to show up Wednesday, but delayed in Chicago) He didn't arrive until 10 or 11 at night, a little later that he'd originally planned, even after revising his schedule since Wednesday. He was very impressed with my living situation right from the start.

Friday I took off from work and showed Adam around town. I introduced him to the folks at Hammerpress, ate at Manny's, and gave him a short driving tour. We mostly hung around the West Bottoms though. It was a bit like a dream.

Adam loved the warehouses, I knew he would. He said I should write more about the West Bottoms in my blog, however I feel as though it is hard to write about. It is incredibly surreal, like out of a movie. Although, we foreign this it remains somehow familiar. Maybe I belong in this sort of scenario (my successes would provide proof to that effect), but it seems like walking around here has a sense of deja vous.

Anyway, the two of us stayed up until 4 in the morning or later. We wandered the West Bottoms both by bike and foot. We explored a warehouse and found some rotting stairs. Adam made some tuna on toast and he and I discussed how to best make tamales. It was an incredibly lovely evening that even held a midwest thunderstorm in store for us...

Adam only stayed until Saturday morning. He bid me farewell and I left for the farmer's market to prepare for the evening's events.

Finally...

Okay, so I hate going back and writing updates, I need to get in the swing of writing every morning instead of a week after. So instead of writing a whole post for every two days or so, like I've been intending, here is a choppy yet full update from the last week.

Here is a quick recap of the last week:

- Was hired at the Gap after an interview (pwned it) and had Urban Outfitters fall over themselves to get me into an interview (semi pwned it, if only I could capture that hipster spirit).
- Following day had JCrew ask me in for an interview, pwned that one too.
- Possible manager (keyholder) position to be had at Gap.
- Power went out - candles?
- Started illustration project - chose "redneck" as slang term
- Poster for Hearts of Darkness
- Date with guy from Craigslist - hails from a small town in Nebraska, a little too into politics...
- Hot haircut then rockabilly night. Now I look like I'm over 18; plus no more split ends (yey!).
- Going through too much eyeliner phase
- Cut Copy, LCD Soundsystem, Rolling Stones
- Power and Light District - stinks!
- New bar in West Bottoms, ran into Brady, again....
- American Royal time! BBQ weekend is fast approaching.
- Typesetting! (Coming soon). Printing calenders for now.
- Card stuffing - gigantic christmas orders.
- Collaboration with Eric (Coming soon)
- Adam (V.) to be visiting - next week ?!?!
- West Bottoms bike rides and evenings "porching it" with stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon (omg!)
- Lost inch and a half from hips - tuna based diet is working
- Oh, and riding my bike to work, that helps too.

Week in Review - some more

Monday, September 7th

I didn't so much. I think I caught up on Project Runway and worked on my ideas for my Illustration assignment. I talked to Adam(V. as Adam P. is on a roadtrip) for a long time and I want to say I went to Barnes and Nobel, in fact I know I did and I locked myself out of the car. I was feeling pretty low all Monday and couldn't get myself out of it. I moped, watched Golden Girls, and got myself a library card.

The KC library isn't very big although there are lots of branches. I couldn't figure out which on is the central branch, but Halliday tells me I should go to downtown KCK. I checked out a book on Voodoo and a book on Cowboys - like I said. I'm on a cowboy kick.

Tuesday, September 8th

It rained and subsequently I've been covered in bug bites due to mosquitoes breeding and finding me to be extra tasty.

Work was more packaging. Actually, other than the Heidelberg, there has been very little printing in general. We finished the calenders and I figured out what I'm going to get everyone for Christmas. If anyone has a certain poster they'd like, speak up now or forever hold your peace when Christmas time comes.

I also imagined what I'd do to the Pistol if it were my own and thought about how I'm going to take advantage of the platen press the Arts Inkubator is refurbishing. I need to find plates....

Called the bike shop - ol' rusty is finished!

Majorly needed update - part uno

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.

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.