Sunday, August 30, 2009

Monkey Jogs!



This is my first attempt at an apron. I didn't use a ruler, a cutting board or any prior knowledge of how to sew what so ever (besides 7th grade home ec, where Jen and I built a "house" that we could skip classes and play fort in . . . )

I got these fabrics from three different places: the navy angels hugging (the body), the pin stripe faded jade (the bottom) and the weird pocket flannel are all from a salvation army in Livingston, Montana. The pretty lace for the neck & frill on the pocket and the rust colored zipper are from Mark in Butte, Montana, who let me take as much stuff as I could fit in a bag (or two? plus shoes that turn into ROLLERSKATES!) for ONE DOLLAR. The tie is from Goodwill Thrift in MisSOULa, Montana. Pretty rad mix of things, if you ask me.

The scissors used are old sorta' rusty shears - they reminded me of the scissors my mom used to use, but with a griddle feel to 'em. Bob sold me the sewing machine. I almost got a sewing machine from a disgruntled ex-wife who wanted to give me her ex-mother-in-law's sweet machine for $35 so she could buy her son Benjamin popsicles since he just got his tonsils out. When I went to meet her, I bought him a box of popsicles just because I was so thankful. She bailed on me, so alls I got was a box of popsicles... and a brand NEW machine named Audrey!

Anyone wanna buy an apron? I am selling them for 55 bucks a pop! Call now with your color choice and any and all suggestions on how to sew.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Wheel of Thwarted Ambition







People approach us as we are unloading the formidable hunk of metal from Chip's crane: "What is this for? What's going to happen?"

It's still daylight. Anton Viditz-Ward, a local Telluride welder and friend, has built spinning metal carriages of fire for four years now. This particular wheel was seen by fellow Burners on the 2008 playa. They decided to rent the wheel for the rehearsal dinner for their wedding. Descending from Mountain Village on the Gondola, the wedding party would be surprised to see a sparking ring of fire.

The newlyweds-to-be





Due to the last minute rental of the Wheel of Thwarted Ambition, Anton called upon his crew of friends, or Team Fuck Yeah, to get things spinning.



Most of the crew suited up in orange jumpsuits, goggles and helmets; the crowd that the event inevitably drew was fully aware of who was in charge:









Bri and I got to turn the crank shaft first:






This year, Anton has built a double wheel that spins in opposite directions and the theme for our Burning Man camp is Palindromes. Our motto is one of the oldest palindromes known, a latin phrase that was used to describe the behavior of moths: In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni. It translates to “we go wandering at night and are consumed by fire." Seems pretty appropriate . . .

If anyone wants a closer look at any of Anton's metal projects, come to the next mine party! David Byrne, Summer 2012!




Wheelside


Sparking Stars


Photos courtesy of Merrick Chase - - - check him out!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

LOOK SEE

I took a few photos on that dreaded I-80 drive from Jackson WY to Boulder CO. About all Eastern Wyoming has to offer are snippets of giggles from the odd photographs it provides.




Thursday, August 06, 2009

Moabyness

I'm sitting at Arches Book Store in Moab, Utah - one of my favorite bookstores in the nation... second to Powell's in Portland, OR.

Someone left me two quarters. A 1912 New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 1896 Utah Crossroads of the West.

I agree that Utah is the Crossroads of the West, mostly because of the drive I just made. From Telluride, 145 West to 90 West takes you through Norwood, Naturita, Bedrock and Paradox, Colorado. Towering red cliffs contrasted with jade pines and the dusty yellow valley floor . . . it's hard to keep your eye out for the free ranch cows wandering, traversing the roads with inattentive eyes.


cows on the road


paradox valley


paradox valley aussi


pretty rocks

Just as I was winding up toward the margin of my favorite state in the US, I thought about why I love Colorado so much.

I've been spending so much time in southwest Colorado lately - Telluride to be exact. This week alone, I hiked twice, climbed a VIA ferrata route, went to an EMS gathering with free Mojitos and sushi, played frisbee golf, drank a shot of whiskey in the middle of main street in the middle of the day, watched a play about squids, octopus and schools of fish, get 160 million in Harley Pinball, finished my paperwork ( : o ! ) and soaked naked in a hot tub at a mansion in the mountains. Hmmm . . . I also managed to bang my camera up against the rock to somewhat screw it up - so I'll have to get a new lens before I continue photographing things.

Here's some:

MY NEW BIKE!


kona!


FROM RIDGEWAY TO TELLURIDE - MOON AND THE MOUNTAINS


the land Ralph Lauren owns

VIA FERRATA PHOTOS!


us at the top... timer-shot



so scary!



Brian thru my broken lens

BRAINARD LAKE & the NEW WESTY!



the westy's first vista after camping at brainard lake...



westy! (soon to be named... when appropriate)

Off to Bozeman, Montana for the Sweetpea Art Festival ! ! ! I've never been to Montana - I hope to see lots of horses and rivers.