Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Shows are over...

The Last Minute Market was a beautiful venue!  Apparently I was lucky to be on the 2nd floor, as it was pretty chilly down there on the 1st.  Toasty warm up stairs.


I had a wall I could nail into, and a panel of awesomely dirty glass windows that put good amount of light on my display. 

I did OK.  Made booth fee, and then some, and well, that's all you can ask for really.  From what I heard, it was busier last year, but this year it was split up between 2 floors.


It was fun seeing some of the same vendors over and over again.  Reminds me of when I did flea markets and Dead Shows.  Made some vendor friends, and a couple of them, I might just see up in Colorado this summer!

It's been a fun season of shows overall.  Will I be back next year?  Who knows..  maybe somewhere else.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Last Minute Market... the last show of the season.

At 6am this morning I was poised to unload my truck, and set up shop here at the Old Screw Factory, which now houses Cleveland Handmade, and is home to the Last Minute Market.

We had to be set up by 9am, as they have an early bird shopping thing.  For $5 you can come here early and get first pick of the stuff available.

Me, I'm just waiting for the crowd to show up for regular shopping.  This is the spendy show.  $95 for the day.  So far, I got a free poster, a glass of OJ, and a Muffin.  We'll see if I make booth fee.

It seems that people are starting to make their way up here.  3 floors of stuff to see in this giant warehouse.

SELL MORTIMER, SELL!!!

Monday, December 13, 2010

The other day...

While visiting the homeland, there are usually friends from my past who I want to see or hang with.


On this trip, I reconnected with one of my partners in crime.  Jeff and I used to romp around Ohio together, going on road trips, and getting into trouble.
Jeff met me at Fiddlestix, and I really had no idea where we would hang out.  Both of us are not ones to sit in a bar, and just talk.. so, I decided to drive us to one of our haunts, The Westlawn Cemetery, OR... the McKinley Monument.


In high school we would end up there after dark with other cohorts, and run around playing hide and seek, smoke weed, and do stuff we just shouldn't be doing.. like being in the cemetery after dark.  We'd climb monuments, and hang out.



Being back there with Jeff was interesting to say the least.

He had not been there in years, and was surprised by the amount of vandalism.

We never destroyed stuff while there as kids.

  At that time, all of already had a respect for art and the like, so it never dawned on us to knock heads off the statues..



Both of us cut your photography teeth in the cemetery.

Jeff also got his climbing bug there.  Over the years both of us have returned here to re-examine things, and that was what today was about.

The best part was hanging with an old friend who knows you very well.  It was as tho we had just seen each other last week, even tho it had been 6 years.

  

Sunday, December 12, 2010

I'm showing.. I'm showing...

So I did that Beachland Ballroom Rock and Roll Fleamarket.  Wasn't the best show ever, as attendance was pretty low.  I was a bit disappointed that Cleveland would have such a poor turn out for music swap.  I was thinking "Austin" and figured the audio geeks would be out in full force.  Not so much.

Right this very moment, I am sitting at the Bazaar Bizarre Art/Craft show.  Day 2.  Day 1 was fantastic!  People were buying cards 4 and 5 at a time.


Today, the weather is being an Ohioan.  By that, I mean it's dark, gloomy, and a real pisser out there.  Attendance today is lower than a normal Sunday 2nd Day should be because of... snow.

This goes on until 6pm today, but the vendors are already doing their shopping and it's just after 4pm.  Time to BARTER!!!

I was glad to have this wall space, and it was cool to drive nails into it, so I went all out and used all the fixures.  Next year, I'll bring more spinning racks, and hang more matted enlargements on the wall.

People are already packing up...  pansies!!  It's JUST SNOWING OUT!   that's alright.. more money for me after these guys vanish.  Give till it hurts dammit!

Next week, the last show of the season.. The Last Minute Market in Lakewood.  Haven't done it yet, but I've been told it's a good one, and I should do well.


Saturday, December 4, 2010

It's been a long time..

The roaming bug set in late August.  The photo bug goes right along with that.
Baldpate Inn
Pursued the interest of shooting inside the Baldpate Inn, in Estes Park.  The place is chock full of crazy antiques!

Jerimiah riding Eve.
I was already looking forward to hitting the road in Nov.  It was decided that a mini-road trip would be embarked on to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos.  My partner in crime, Jerimiah was into my idea of going to Longmont for the DDLM festivities, and we would dress the part.

Children of the Corn (me)
Till death...
When we arrived to the Festival, we discovered we were the only ones dressed to impress.  It was a good time regardless, and had a fun getting our photos taken with kids.  On the way back to Estes, I mentioned it would be cool to get some more miles out of our outfits, and suggested going to "Memories Old Time Portraits" and get our pictures taken.  And so we did.    A few weeks later, it was time to leave Colorado, and head for Ohio to spend the holidays with the family, and partake in a bunch of art shows.



First show was Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland EAST.  2 day show.  It was located in the American Craft Center on Larchmere in Estes Cleveland.  Other than the fact that we had NO HEAT, and wearing gloves, hat, and coat inside sucked, the show was alright overall.  Met some cool people.  A guy from American Greetings approached me, and told me about opportunities to sell stock photos to them, and I'm hoping to hear back from him.
Bazaar Bizzare EAST
Prosperity Holiday Art Show
The second show of the weekend was on 40th St E, and put on the gals of Prosperity Jewelry.  It's sort of a friends by invite thing, and is always a good time!  Definately my favorite show to do, as it's more relaxed and easy to run.  Everyone there is there to have a good time, drink free beer, and spend money on good art!  This weekend I continue the vending with: The Beachland Ballroom Rock and Roll Flea Market!  See my Facebook page for more info!




   Then earlier this week, I mentioned to my mother that someone at Prosperity recommended a Salvage Yard full of vintage automobiles and truck.  Mom offered to go along for the ride, and the sun was out... so off we went.  Sorry, can't let the location of this one go so easily.. as it's a gold mine for images!!



Finally, on the way to the Bone Yard, I had mom stop at a real Bone Yard and got some interesting shots around a particular Mausoleum.
To see more images, go to the website, and see NEW GALLARY!

More to come!

Monday, April 12, 2010

48 HOURS OF RUCKUS SCAVENGER HUNT!

If you are riding a RUCKUS, you must get in on this fun!!

http://totalruckus.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=45027

48 Hour scavenger hunt on your Honda Ruckus.  Big or Small... this should be a hoot of a time!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

NOW SHOWING at the Estes Park Library

  Thanks to coordinator Kurtis Kelly, I now have 28 images hanging around the 2nd floor of the Estes Park Library. 
  CHECK IT OUT!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

EP CO

Finally sort of settled in, and started working my PT winter job.
In stead of staying at Johny's place in Glen Haven, I have taken a room at a Hotel close to the shop.
I get WIFI at the room.
I don't have to worry about getting stranded by snow here.
And if I work a couple evenings a week, I get the room as pay. May 1st, I'll move back into my place in Glen Haven, which is closed down for the winter because it lacks proper insulation to live in all year. Just before I left town after last scooter season, the toilet down there started to freeze up somewhere along it's route outside. I was flushing hot water down the thing before my use so it would flush. By the time morning came along, it was frozen and would finally free up after the sun came over the ridge.
The great thing tho, is my landlady is alright with me leaving my things behind in the winter, and come spring time, I turn the key and walk right into "my place"... ready to go.
Makes for easier traveling in the winter.
PT winter job. Indoor gardening and cleaning. It will do for the next few months.

In a few days, once the dust settles, I'll take the camera and head up into the park.

Friday, February 5, 2010

At a hotel, in Raton New Mexico

The back half of my stay in Austin was cold, and rainy. I didn't go on any more photo safaris, but I did see some live music.
Last Saturday I caught HONKY at Emo's. 
Jeff Pinkus from the Butthole Surfers was playing bass, and boy howdy is he a great bass player!

Then Sunday was Scott H Biram at The Highball.

Monday I saw Avatar 3D at the IMAX, which was good fun.
Tuesday I saw THE RESIDENTS at Stubb's, and again on Wednesday in Dallas.


After the Dallas show I crashed at my friend Josh's house in Fort Worth, and Thursday morning took off west for Colorado.
The half the trip was engulfed in sprinkling rain, and fog. I started off at 6:30am, and drove until 4:30 at Raton, New Mexico.
Snow appeared before Amarillo, and got deeper as I moved along. I don't think there are snow plows in Amarillo. I'll leave that there.

10 miles before the Texas/New Mexico line, I could see a strip of blue along the horizon ahead. Seriously? Was the sun about to appear at the state line? The closer I got, the thinner the clouds were, and I could start to see some sun trying to burn thru he clouds.
Sure enough, at the state line it was blue sky and some cloud whisps, and about 5 miles in, nothing but blue skies.

Had plenty of time to sleep, and got lots of it. Now I'm lazily hanging out in the room until check out. I need to figure out which place I'm going to stay at, and unload the truck of it's two scooters and photography stuff.
Back in Colorado.
Back to scooter land.
Back to the snow...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Distracted from photography for a bit..

Since Sunday, I have been spending more time with my dog, Mingus. Since getting to Austin, I have kind of run off and left him behind at my friend's house. He's been a good sport about it, but I can tell when his patients is running thin. Nothing worse than a Blue Heeler who is starved for exercise.
Zilker Park is my friend. Always has been. I've been going to that park regularly since 1993, with Spek until he was 12, and now Mingus going on 5.

And then there is the restaurants. OMG.
I've said this before. If you cruise down S.First from Barton Springs to Ben White (which is about 4 miles), you drive past 40 Mexican joints, and most of them are Taco Stands! I have stood on the grounds of one stand, and can see 3 others from where I am! It's the most amazing thing. Beautiful.

I'm getting rain for the next couple days so it time to work on other things, but on Saturday I am hitting the black top with a scooter and a camera.. and it's time to do some taco shack shooting.

SIDE NOTES: AVOID AUSTIN IN JANUARY! Dammit, I'm getting Cedar Fever. I've been here for 7 days, and it's taking hold. My buddy, Ted, handed me 12 Zertec when I got here. I've been taking them too, but it's not enough. I've only got 5 more days in this town... LEAVE ME ALONE!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mission Accomplished


After having breakfast tacos at Habanera’s, I posed the question, “Road Trip?”
Ted: “Road trip!  Enchanted Rock?”
Me: “San Antonio Missions?”
Ted nods: “Cameras”
Me: “yes”
Ted: “I need to shower”
Me: “Noon”
Ted: “My house”

That’s just how it works with Ted and I.   It was a really good time too.  We got there around 1pm, and started of at the Mission Concepcion, the first of at least 3 missions we wanted to check out on this “mission mission”. 

 

Concepcion had some construction going on, preventing us from access to the main church.  Still plenty of things to shoot, and the challenge of it was the fact that it was Saturday with lots of people on site.







 San Jose was next, and is the largest of the Missions as far as grounds in tact, living quarters in tact, and size of main structure.  This is my favorite site.  The arches and curves on the structure are truly amazing.  Luckily the clouds that hung over the area in the morning had almost burned up by noon, so there was some good wispy whites going on in my back grounds.


San Juan is the 3rd on the tour.  This structure is in crisis.   Both of the long walls were buckling with visible erosion cracks inside and out.  Ted commented that this is what happens in a drought around here.  There were a couple shots at this site I wanted to re-shoot from a visit 8 or 9 years ago, and could not because of repairs. 
The surprise of the trip was stumbling upon a sculpture site in a park.  The objects are large straw men and women working the field.  They were larger than life, and pretty cool looking.
All the images are on the website right now under: New Stuff 
Check ‘em out if you get a chance.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Hey, hit the highway...

I spent a day cleaning and packing the element.  This haul was going to be nothing but driving.  The goal: Drive from Canton, Ohio to somewhere at least an hour into Arkansas.  About 13 hours of driving in one day.  Get a room.  Sleep, and then make 6-7 hour drive to Dallas.  As I did.  Nothing exciting...  no photos... just driving.
Got to Dallas just fine on day 2.  Met up with my friends Matteo and Allison at the American Airlines Center, and got to see none other than Eddie Izzard do 2.5hours of stand up, improv, and mime acting.  He's one of my all time favorites, and it was fantastic to see him live.  Worth the long ass drive! 
After the show, I was exhausted and fatigued.    I knew how to get right to the highway, but the event planners rerouted traffic, and I had no idea where I was going.
I had to follow the heard. 
I don't know how, but the force must have been with me.  Eventually, I just ran into the highway I needed to be on, and was headed south to Austin.
It was going to be a 2.5 hour drive.  I was punch drunk at this point.  I was starting to realize that I should not be on the highway.  My head should be parallel with a pillow, and my body in a horizontal position.  Didn't want to spend the money on a hotel room, but there was just no way to be safe on the road for the final 1.5 hour of my drive.

I got a very cheap ass hotel.  With Mingus, it was $28.  They don't come much cheaper than that! 
The next morning, I finished the haul feeling rested and awake.

An hour later, I was at Maria's Taco Xpress!  The taco I had been waiting for was in my hand.  And as a friend described, I waved my Victory Taco with much vigor.    I had breakfast with an old friend, Teri, who I used to work with.  She's all about the music.  Country music, and fine fine fine at it.  We caught up on things, and touched breifly on the wedding that we were attending that night.

Bridgette and Jesse's wedding.  What a great time that was.  Located at the Wizard Academy, the chapel was beautiful, the ceremony at sunset, and the attending Whole Earth family which was exceptional to reconnect with .

It was a simple ceremoney that laced the over the top pomp and cercumstance, which I appreciate so much. 

The reception was at Jesse's brother's house, and that was a good time!  Very special hanging with some of the folks I had not seen in 5 years or more.  Good stuff.  Pit fire, music, outside in warm weather...  wonderful!

 9 Days left in Austin. 
This morning, the plan is....  breakfast tacos.  Meeting up with friends for breakfast again.  Good times..

Monday, January 18, 2010

Part 2

As far as selling my photography, things went better than expected.  Though some good contacts, I was able to get in on several good shows, and I now have leads for a few more for next fall. 
While visiting the family, I was able to complete my goal of starting a websites for myself, my family's business, and revamp the scooter site.  www.zootscootestes.com and www.fiddlestixbilliards.com are the fruits of my labor this winter.  It would have taken much longer if I didn't have the chance to work around the clock on the things.

And now my time is ending in Ohio.  The family has been great, and it's been a blast seeing old friends.  But now I am excited to get on the road, and head south to Dallas.  One evening there to see Eddie Izzard LIVE, and then off to Austin to see friends, tie up loose ends, and finally see The Residents perform at Stubb's BBQ, and a second night in Dallas.
Then, back to Colorado. 

Photos will be had along the way. 
Hey hit they highway...

2 Days till Highway Part 1.

Back in October, I packed up the apartment in Estes Park, and readied myself for the trip to Ohio.  There, I was going to be with family, build a website for my photography, and my folks' business.  I was going to get involved in the local art scenes, and hopefully get some vending gigs around the holidays to makes some desperately needed cash. 

A week before my departure day, I was headed out to town to get some things done.  Mingus was underfoot, as he always gets nervous when I start packing up things.  He wants to make sure he's not left behind!  I went to take a step out the door, and he bumps into the snow/ice windshield scraper that is propped up next to the door for easy access.  I see the scrapper falling as I am taking my first step out the door.  It hits the ground, and my foot plants itself on it, ankle rolls, and down I go.

As  I'm falling, I'm wondering if I'm going to hit my head on the cement.  I wonder if this is going to fuck up my back.  I'm wondering if Mingus knows what just happened.  Lastly, I wonder if this giant poof of a parka is going to cusion my fall.
I'm grounded, and in pain.  I got up, and limped on to the truck.
After a few hours of running errands and visiting friends, I get back to the house, and lay down.

It's when I attempt to get up, that things really suck.  The pain shot up my leg, and caught me in the eyes.  I fall back onto my ass on the bed.  I can't put any weight on it, and the next few days are spent keeping it wrapped, iced, and elevated.  I had a lot to do, but couldn't do any of it.  I wondered if I could drive this way.
Two days before my departure, I decided I was indeed finally good to drive, and finished up the packing business around the house and shop.
By the end of the day, my throat was scratchy.  "You have got to be kidding!"  I refuse to get sick!  Ah, I may refuse, but the body had no choice.  When I woke up the next day, it was clear that I was on the verge of sickness.  Little did I know...

They day of departure, I was sick as a dog.  My ass was a gieser, and there was absolutely NO WAY I could leave like this.  I couldn't go an hour or two with out the surprise ass attack.  I went to Safeway to try and buy some manufactured ass explosion remedy.  While browsing the selections, Old Faithful blew.  It was horrible.  I had to buy this stuff, but I had to get out of the store.  A speedy self check out and out the door I went.  Luckily there is always a towel in the truck.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe taught me to always have my towel.

The following day, I decided to leave.  I didn't have anything left to lose.  Sick as a dog, I left.  The trip was uneventful, other than feeling like a week old zombie.    I didn't eat for like 4 days, and made it safely to Ohio.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Here we go...

Website is up, blog is ready..