dirtbag's day out

Sunday was a day we all needed it seemed... after our brief tastes of the east [Patrick and Carolanne to Martha's Vineyard] (or eastward [aka Arkansas]), a trip just across the bridge to Kirby Cove for a quick hike in the "woods" was good medicine. We didn't need much: something a little warm (it was a good 65 degrees and sunny), good chatting, and the dog (she would have been pissed if we went without her, and no one should mess with a DC native, they say). So, we explored, broke the law by taking Pepper, heckled the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club as they practiced near the cove, lost the dog, found the dog, hiked back up through the "woods" and found ourselves amazingly refreshed. Then, the real treat of the day came with a quick trip to the IGA for some snacks. But, who knew that so many of the Bay Area's "outdoorsy" peeps would be out parked along the side of the road "getting out." We threw out our previous picnic at a table idea and found a perfect spot in the shade/sun on the side of the road in a grove of bay laurel (yep, we all grabbed some for soups later!). Yep, you can't hold down dirtbags determined to chill, eat, and drink their box wine.

but... I'm Pepper!

the grizzly man goeth...


the woman who cut his hair in chinatown took one look at that beard, and made it clear...we don't shave beards here...
i'd be scared too... that's a lot of hair.


before.... and after.... awww what a handsome boy! We can see your face again!

perfect example...

So, I am meeting this dude to look at my bike that he might buy from me. The guy is nice and his lady friend is as well...things are going as they should.
As we talk there is this shady guy walking around us (we are in a Starbucks parking lot at 4th and Bryant) acting weird...I mean odd! Now, it's SoMa so I don't pay it any mind- dudes are always acting odd. The funny thing is that he looks like he has a real nice job. Nice cloths and fancy sunglasses and shoes...
Before too long the dude looking at the bike takes it for a test ride. As I was making small talk with his lady friend a police cruiser pulls into the parking lot and the officer marches over to the shady guy. Next thing I know the cop is walking up to me (again- chillin' and making small talk) demanding my I.D. The cop runs my information and asks to look in my bag for a computer that was stolen along with a wallet and keys from this guys office when he wasn't there (lock the door?). Seems I fit the description of a computer thief. Interesting. I think about it as the cop goes to talk to the shady guy that now reveals himself as my accuser.
So what is the description the cop was given....?
White male? check
Shaggy beard? check
Ear rings? check
Fancy ass Italian Designer Framed glasses? check
Bad tattoos done by younger brother? check
State College Spikes Away Uniform Fitted wool cap? check
Conversation about how S.F. sucks? check
Stained and torn Centre County Bike Coalition t-shirt? check
By this time the cops gave me back my license and fill me in- turns out the guy is out of his mind. As the cops leave the dude has the nerve to get in my face and tell me that "if you can return my things this will all be over- no questions asked..." Well- that thrilled me to tears. I mean really- why not further mess with someone you don't know? I mean really? Do I look like that is something I want to deal with? So...
me- "what are you saying?"
ass- "I just know "things" and want my stuff back"
me- "you really want to start this?"
ass- "I want my things back...no questions"
-I stand up to look this ass in the face-
me- "you need to get out of my face"
ass- "you know where my things are"
At that point I stop the cops as they are leaving and "ask" them to deal with this guy "'cause he is starting things that he wont want to deal with..."
the cops scold him and appologize to me for the trouble as he tries to take a picture of me with his phone...
What the hell do people think?
So, the kid is going to think about the bike and it only reenforces how I feel about this place. It sucks. The people suck. I can't wait to be done and leave. Hell- most of the time it takes everything I have to not just jump on the bus and head east...where I belong!
I really miss the east and all my friends back in PA.
Eric "this place blows worse than I could have ever imagined...how do you like it?" Roman

2103 miles each way...sore and broken but home

So, what did you do over the break? We decided to rent a car for 16 days and head back to Gretta land (Paragould, Arkansas) to chill out and eat animals. With the drop in gas prices and 50.00 a day for fancy city-like dog kennel fees- it was way cheaper to drop the cash on renting the car and the 2 days each way (well...aside from the recovery days associated with 2 18hr days on the road).
You may also notice a nicer image quality- we upped for a digital camera so the iPhone images are going to take a rest for now.

Gretta bonding with Orin (her dad- if you couldn't see the resemblance-Gretta is the one wearing glasses)

Me "bonding" with the perspective mother-in-law one beverage at a time...I think she's really down with the cause! (Hi Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Orin and me chillin in the shop making stuff with all his tools talking about the money I lost last night in the poker game and how he took my only chance to win a game of cards...I can't wait to have in-laws! Orin- you owe me $33.00!

New Years Eve playing BINGO, I fit in so smoothly in North East Arkansas that you might not recognize me- I am wearing the hat and glasses. Laugh if you will- I won 3 games of BINGO and the family took 6 games in all. I may be selling my bikes and going on the pro Bingo tour in the spring.

Who else? Gretta. Thanks for driving!

"I really need MORE camo to fit in?"

One of the nicest things about our wedding so far is Gretta and Ann making the dresses. Ladies- here is a peek. She looked great in it when trying it on. For those pictures you'll have to pay.


Even a new camera can't make images taken from the passenger seat any better. There are loads and here are two to get the game going.

So here it is the last week of classes and I find time to post on our blog...I really hope you all enjoy my being crushed with work out here...honestly- it helps me deal with this place when I can't take the time to fester about how much I miss frozen snot-cicles on my beard from the freezing temperatures of the Mid-Atlantic...oh the days! I do need a light jacket when we walk Pepper at night...sometimes I even need to zip it up ...sometimes...

Nothing like putting the most brash young man's work next to the landscapes of the old man...the one image is a pee stain...not quite a bare ass but as close as I'm gonna get this semester.

As many of you know- I love my book making and here is the latest stack of images for my accordion book. 38 little images waiting to be a full grown up book.

I really want to just ride my bike and forget the papers, essay, artists statement, and book making for the day...Gretta won't let me...damn...
Oh- that hair is the real deal! NO PRODUCT! Hipsters eat your hearts out!!!

Yoga page folding...the only way to make books at home! Not as fit as I used to be but I can still bend more than I should!

This here is my new book! 14.5ft long, 38 images, and 2 days since I showered...stress is fun. Fruit flavored Tums make a great mid day snack.

Never leave the dog alone with your sandals and an open beer while you run to the store...neither one really worked out for me- Pepper seemed to enjoy both...

as always...
e and g and drunk, passed out, wearing my sandals...PEPPER!

new work

So. a few people wanted to see new work- or as I love to hear "what the hell are you doing out there anyway? Flash? Pee? What?" Here it is in all its SoMa glory...about 1/2 from the block and about 1/2 from the desert...there are more but who really needs to see that much of what I find interesting? Didn't think so.
enjoy
e

Oh- it is a Facebook album so you'll have to sign in but then, who doesn't have an account these days?
here is my page if you feel like you really need to see things up front

sprinkled with some good...

Yes, we can find a zillion things that we despise about living here... and still our lives continue to be sprinkled with some good. For instance, as I was walking back from the ginormous warehouse fabric store just around the corner, I walked by the auto-body shops along our alley-way. They have dense concrete facades and here in the middle of November, it was warm enough today and cool enough this afternoon that I could actually feel the heat releasing from the masses. It was like standing by a heater outside. So, we can walk over to the Mission and find the people that hang over there to remind us of spoiled brats or up in North Beach with everyone trying to run you over in their Lexuses and BMWs to get to that next red light (I mean really, who cares about anyone who can't invite you to the next dinner party or opening downtown?)... and we continue to try and deconstruct what it is exactly that prevents us from feeling like this place deserves to be called home... Yet, amidst the long walks and talks about such things, good things come every now and then:

Eric hanging his images for his THIRD critique this semester... AND, he only hangs work that he hasn't hung before. No, really... this is three weeks of work. I'm pushing for a website!

Thanks to Rob at RBR and the boys at Freeze Thaw... I saw him actually crack a smile about going out for a ride! Check that pink machine ... careful in this neighborhood, sweet! With those tight pants and a pink bike... don't get stolen!

And, a bangin day at Goodwill: I came home with a hair dryer so we can continue to play with making Cyanotypes here at the house, an iron, and this 9 CUP coffee maker! It may not have a handle but I was sure that if I came home with it my boy would figure out something...and he did.

Last, the bits and pieces I've been doing to keep me occupied and somewhat sane:

A cyanotype of an image that Eric let me make with his camera back when we were in State College. Well, I focused it and pushed the cable release...that counts!


The firm I'm working with right now was invited to participate in a "reconsideration" of a museum to be placed in Park Presidio (once the original military settlement--from the Spanish to the US--and now a national park)... This is the board that is on exhibit now here in a gallery...

So much going on we had to post twice- how nice!

Just uploaded our hike... it was the strip in yellow north of the city.

My bike pre-stem change with tools laid out nicely and ready for me to do it myself a la Eric... thanks, sweet!
(fit is everything! bikes for 100 mile races, sweet new Dickies, and with the lady and moving across the country so I can take good pictures. the stem will help her in holding on to the bike as she looks back yelling at these silly drivers here in the "best place to live EVER"...-e)

My bike post-stem change....ahhhhhh much better...and man, that bike is nice!
(mmmmmmm...new bike parts.....oh yeah!-e)


Pep working her magic to get up on the new furniture...while I work my magic here at the computer (so, really, E thought this would be funny... I'm not buying it).
(in DC there were "crack heads"...in our house there is Gretta working on the computer- I feel like she wants to be a plumber some day...keep the dream alive sweets!!!!!-e)