Illustration Fever

01. Shamrocking
02. Gutsman
03. Jorge Alderete
04. Ledpants
05. Bendable Rubber
06. Lomp
07. Guedel
08. Michael Bartalos

Gigantically Full

Oh man, the pain. Sidesplitting pain. A slave to tradition. Survival skill. Oh, the pain.

Bode fed me real good. (Note: Bode has the thickest handshake in the Northwest. That handshake could kill a man who isn’t prepared for the pounds-per-square-inch experienced in that deathgrip of grips.)

I am in the throes of one of the worst Thanksgiving hangovers ever experienced in my 29 years. I feel like I could sustain for a month on the mountain of nourishment gorged this afternoon.

I spent the big day at Susan and Bode’s house. Bode’s parents were over for the big event too. The cooking began last night, with bird prep high on the list, amongst other preliminary operations.

My mouth was watering. Literally. Bode kept me well lubricated with ale, which didn’t do much to battle the anticipation of the meal. Once the gravy thickened we made our way to the dining room table. The turkey was perfect. Man, I could go on and on about the turkey. The mashed potatoes were whipped just right. Beans. Gravy. Rolls. The chow was washed down with cold ice water. I did two good-sized plates and had to throw in the towel. I finished off the feast with some pie (pumpkin and apple/walnut... from scratch!) and had to remove myself from the eating station.

This is where I began to sober up. The magnitude of it all hit somewhere around this point. That pile of food had me moanin’ and wheezin’. I needed air, I needed space, I needed peace and quiet. I had a digestive battle ahead of me… a gastric Hamburger Hill of sorts.

It'll get ugly, but I think I’m gonna make it.

Special thanks to Bode and Susan for having me. Good eats. Good people.

Annual DDC Factory Floor “Things We Are Thankful For” List:

01. Health.
02. Clean air.
03. Clean water.
04. Mom and dad.
05. Little sisters Leah and Sarah.
06. Melissa.
07. Grandmother memories.
08. America.
09. Friends all over the country… and hell, abroad too. (Too many to list.)
10. Extended family.
11. A good upbringing in Central Lake, Michigan.
12. Hometown of Traverse City, Michigan.
13. Schooling opportunities in Minneapolis.
14. Fall foliage.
15. Phone calls from Mom.
16. Not being in California anymore.
17. The gig at CINCO design. Thanks guys.
18. CINCO’s clients.
19. Big S the Passat.
20. A couple of tuned guitars.
21. Apartment… location and layout.
22. A big bed.
23. A soft couch.
24. A well-oiled computer.
25. A quick Internet connection.
26. The laundry setup across the hall.
27. Hardwood floors.
28. One hell of a Lego collection.
29. Lots of discs for the stereo.
30. Freelance clients.
31. The Open Road.
32. An ice cold coke down hot pipes.
33. Levi 501s.
34. Carhartt Duck Brown.
35. Bad hats.

Kinetic in Seattle

Seattle was good. Many thanks to Arlie Carstens for the accommodations and his extensive list of experiences/points of interest he shared with us during our time there.

The first thing a couple of smalltowners like ourselves would notice in Seattle is the “city atmosphere” that is so alive and vital. The place seemed to be moving in every direction. It didn’t seem that big to me the last couple times I passed through. Skyscrapers. Puget Sound. Countless, bustling neighborhoods. Cosmopolitan.

Portland is a town. A burg. A hamlet. A small city. Just big enuff. Just right.

Our time was spent in a very kinetic fashion. Lots of driving up and down twisting streets and highways and dividers. Arlie offered up many, many points of interest as we navigated the city.

The EMP (Experience Music Project) was interesting. A little on the spendy side; but worth it for the most part. Notable sections/exhibits included the Jimi Hendrix wing, J Mascis’ stickered Fender Jazzmaster, Bob Dylan’s first guitar, Replacements set lists, a Johnny Cash suit, Jeff Nelson’s Teen Idles jacket, TAD’s Kurt Danielson’s bass, Krist Novoselic’s bass, Grandmaster Flash’s crew jacket, accessories from the Go-Go’s, Mark Arm’s Fender Mustang, old blues guitars, posters, handbills, notes, etc. I’m a fan, and always appreciate the history behind these artifacts.

The interactive section was the best. It was this large studio-esque room, complete with dramatic lighting with a range of musical instruments to try out. Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards… complete with a computer screen walking you through the finer points of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Surreal. There is something about watching a guy who looks like that painfully regular uncle you have, plucking the opening notes to that song. Interesting. Sad. Homogenized.

And, and, and, they have little soundproof rooms with complete drum sets and amps and axes. Man, I beat the shit out of that set, much like a gorilla. I think I spooked Melissa. I went nuts.

Being tourists and all, we had to do the Space Needle. Real good.

Had a breakfast with Sean Sullivan too. Good eatin’.

Now, being on the road and in such a beautiful city is one mean combo, but man, having Melissa out here took the cake. Thanks again for coming out. Much lobbying took place. It was good to be with her. For more girlfren lobbying click right here.

Back for the attack, in my small city, workin’ hard on this and that.

Melissa Weekend

Thank the good Lord for Friday. Very, very welcomed after a long, ugly week in the trenches. Very busy, very productive, very good.

Melissa flew in yesterday afternoon. She took the Max in from the airport to the Lloyd Center. I took a break from work to pick her up. Her flight was smooth and steady. She isn’t too much of a frequent flier and tends to get a little nerve-wracked in the friendly skies. She had a couple good flights on her way out to Oregon.

Man, was it good to see her.

We’re havin’ a good time. Takin’ things easy, cruisin’ around town, chattin’, laughin’, etc. I’ve missed my friend so much.

Tonight we went to the CINCO Design show titled “2WheelsGood.” Jered Bogli and Dan Sharp from CINCO organized a little gathering with bike-inspired art, equipment and media. Good stuff. Lots of folks in attendance. Double-decker bikes! Custom bikes! Rim sculptures! We hung out a bit, had a cold one and cruised back out into the night.

It’s good to have Melissa out here.

Surrounded by Good People...

Had a good night last night. Had dinner with Arlie Carstens, Amanda Marsalis and Fasil Debeb. Good Thai food up on Hawthorne.

Good food, good conversation. We rounded the night out with a drink at the Shanghai Tunnel; which is downtown, in Berbati's basement. Word is, back in the day this little basement was a good place to get Shanghai'ed onto a ship in the Willamette. Whoa. I found myself watching over my back for any shady sea-faring types. I had a little Oly and called it a night.

Please check out the respective links features above. I am very lucky to be surrounded by creative, progressive, good people. Inspiring folks. The sort of stuff that makes this little world go around for me. Thanks.

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And on an even brighter note: Melissa is coming out for the weekend to hang. It'll be good to see her.

We kicked some Southeastern Tex-Ass.

We kicked some Southeastern Tex-Ass.

Austin/San Antonio/Houston: Three cites in three days.

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Rose, Bridges, Violette, Nusenow and Draplin. Much speculation from industry insiders… involving clandestine operations. Hmmm.

The troops congregated Thursday night in Austin. We made our way into town, secured sleeping quarters and swaggered out into the night. 6th street is the hot spot for the boozers, brawler and bimbos. Lots of rowdiness, new highs, new lows, pissed-in pants, altercations, inebriations, slurs, hysterics, etc. We were even kicked out of Emo’s punk rock bar. Hell, we didn’t even get in and were being escorted out. Everyone made it through the night unscathed. Suck-cess. Moons were howled at, grounds were stood.

The next day we started off things with a hearty meal at Juan in a Million’s. Good eats and hearty handshakes. Juan greeted us and saw to our breakfast needs. Juan can shake a mean hand, and holds the title for “Austin Restauranteur Handshake of the Year”, a title he created and wins each year.

We left for San Antonio. Some 80 miles south, we rolled into the big city and located the Alamo. Oh yeah, we remembered it, and paid our respects as good Americans should. Lots of history. Fascinating. San Antonio has a beautiful, bustling downtown… complete with a disorienting river walk section filled with bars and shopping options. Good times. Highlights include Alamo artifacts (the original Jim Bowie “Bowie knife,” the Tower of the Americas and a mean steak/ribs dinner downtown.

Our third day was spent in Houston. A Mexican flea market captivated the group on the way there, offering lane after lane of colorful vendors. Houston is big. 4th biggest metropolis in the states. One wouldn’t think so. We do now. Lots of office buildings and a ton of surrounding communities. The immensity of the place creeps on you as you cruise around.

A good time was had by all. Five dudes checking out a corner of the states previously unexplored by the group. Many more to go. The whirlwind tour winded down without event. The rental car was returned intact. We flew back to our respective homes Sunday afternoon. Thanks to all in attendance.

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The results are in:

01. Most atomic handshakes with Juan: 4 shakes, 162 psi, A.Draplin
02. Most sucker punches to the designated driver: 6, M.Nusenow
03. Most time stone-cold sober: 5 of 60 hours, A.Draplin
04. Most time completely shit-faced: 50 of 60 hours, P.Bridges
05. Most pummeled: 16 bruises, E.Rose
06. Most miles logged in rental car: 1000+, A.Draplin
07. Most fassiest award: P.Bridges’ feet
08. Most times booted out of establishment: 3, P.Bridges
09. Most times threatened to be booted out: 15, P.Bridges
10. Most Skechers: 1 pair, A.Draplin
11. Most back hair: 67 hairs per square inch, E.Rose
12. Most petrone shots: 96, cumulative group
13. Most decibels inside a elevator: 112db, E.Rose
14. Most pickles stuck in their soft drink: 3, P.Bridges

Austin, Tex-ass

I'm off to Austin, Texas tomorrow morning for a summit meeting involving a meatball contingent of delegates from Vermont and California. Should be a good time. Lots to accomplish. Lots of asses to kick. Lone Star beer, armadillo piss and ten gallon hats.

Expect a full report, pictures and otherwise, upon completion of the mission.

Yet Another Reason Why Minneapolis Is "It"

Oh man, if only I were so lucky to be blessed with this treasure .

Fuckin' beautiful.

Many thanks to PJ for this hirsute link.

Teenager for a night.

Last night, once the freelance demons were silenced, I did a little channel surfing to see what I'd come across. It was real late, well past 1am.

Flipping through, I came across the 80's teenage-angst classic "Lucas" just starting.

It was amazing... watching it with eyes that were double the age I previously saw it. I think I was 13 or something when I first saw it. I remember how tragic it all seemed, and impending. I was set to begin high school and the idea of having to deal with the older kids didn't sit too well.

I remember how obnoxious that Bruno character seemed. So scary. I started High School at the age of 13 at a Catholic School. I was 5'2", husky and scared to fucking death. It was a surreal beginning. Not a month into the year, we were introduced to "Freshman Friday." Oh, the memories. I remember getting hit in the arm so hard, and, kids being cornered and walloped. Pretty intense.

I remember how excited I was to play football. I waited so many years growing up. Well, those fuckers killed it for me. I remember how good it felt to quit the football team.

I don't miss that freshman year one bit.

Holidaze Itinerary

I locked down the pertinent flights for the newly-formed, officially-required "DDC: Home for the Holidaze" policy. Enough of this disjointed, sad-sapped, UPS’ed Christmas shit. We aren’t getting any younger, that’s a fact. Those miles between my loved ones and myself are still as mean and as lonely as the previous Christmas’. I need to take advantage of all possibilities involving being in the homeland.

I’ll be home on the 19th of December. Those final precious days leading up to Christmas day are the ones not to be missed. That’s when everyone is higher that a kite on the yuletide buzz, and everyone still likes each other and stuff. After the 25th, once everyone realizes that ugly sweater they received isn’t “returnable,” the spirits can turn sour.

My plan is to fly into Traverse City, then fly out of Chicago. Turns out there is a “Hossfest” of sorts in the works, involving PJ Chmiel, Ryno Simonson, Brad Berling and maybe a Maniotes or two. Party plans are being drawn up. Stay tuned.

That’s the latest. I’ll be home for a bit, and that’s a good thing.

Channel Changer.

I broke down and got the cable hooked up. Turns out I really need an internet hookup around the house and in the midst of a particularly verile "sales pitch” from the customer service “specialist” I went for broke and bought the whole farm.

I’ve got some sort of digital cable for 6 months, for around 43 bucks a month. They call it the “platinum” plan. Oh yeah, that’s high-society speak for the telecommunications community around these parts. Lots of channels… all the crappy “premium” ones, news, sports and shit.

Basically, once the so-called “promotion” fizzles, I’ll go back to regular ‘ol cable, and hell, maybe disconnect the whole arrangement. I figure, winter is right around the corner and things will slow down a bit. The plentiful tube selections will come in handy.

I’ll be hooked up on that Internet in mid November. Good. Broadband cable.

- - - -

It was real nice having Kurt + Vanessa around. Good people. Kurt’s paintings damn near sold out that first night. A good little showing of folk was on hand for the deal.

Kurt’s work got me to missin’ Melissa real bad. It has that quality too it. One part sad, one part sappy, one part comforting. Our demise was so hasty and abrupt. I wrastle with it a bunch. I’m still missin’ her, and that’s just how it goes, I ‘spose.

- - - -

I’m trying to lock down a ticket “home for the holidaze.” Lots of net wrangling going on. This is the part I loathe about living far from home: The complications involved in getting back. It was easy to get back from Minneapolis. One quick flight, or by car, etc. Easier on the thinker and on the checkbook. This factors into my decision to make this place home heavily. I liked being close, or, “relatively close” To the parental unit.

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The rain is coming.

Kurt Weekend

And what a weekend it was. Friday night is alright for fightin’ and all, but I chose to go the mellow route and got a jump on the weekend freelance.

Kurt + Vanessa flew in from Milwaukee in the early afternoon on Saturday. They took the MAX in from the airport, gave me a call and waited patiently by the Lloyd Center. I picked the young lovers up and we did a cruise of Portland proper, complete with bridge transfers, neighborhood descriptions and a trip into the bush to get a look/see at “Unicorn Hollow.”

Kurt was in town for his painting show at the Bink Gallery. He had 8 pieces up; 3 paintings/5 drawings. It was a good little show. His work , as soft, sensitive and cute as it is, does find a place in the road-worn, barren landscape of my heart. People enjoy his work. Especially the ladies. That’s what I like about it. It is accessible.

I got to meet some of Portland’s counter culture scenesters, as well as Kurt’s old friend Craig Thompson, an aspiring cartoonist who lives in town here. He has a graphic novel out called “Goodbye Chunky Rice .” The comics world is a tough place. I’m super impressed with his work… everything works: the illustration, pacing, story and overall adaptation to a book. He has a new book in the works, some 500 pages! It has taken him two years! Craig is a super nice kid with a giant heart.

Vanessa is a real catch. Kurt is a lucky man. She’s got a good thinker, and a good vocabulary with words like “vapid” and stuff. She makes amazing “big fashion” clothing creations, with interesting collar thingies and sleeve situations. Very talented, on and off the fabric. We hit it off immediately. Friends forever.

We even made it over to Broadway and 20th to this fee-fee/foo-foo little restaurant called “Colossal” or something. Chris Hotz had a little painting show up. We dropped in to check out the work (a purchase was made for the Factory Floor collection) and see any friends who were hanging out. Many heads were in attendance. Good to see everyone, as always. Thanks to Gretchen for the call.

We rounded out the weekend with a drab vegan meal up on Alberta street and a screening of the prolific Raising Arizona in the comfort of the big couch. Three little leathermasters winding down.

Kurt and Vanessa flew out this morning. They will be missed.

Please click here for some outtakes from the course of events.

Novembrrr!

Last night was pretty uneventful. I did get to hang with some foxy vixens from down south. Jardine Hammond, Jenn Sherowski and Annie Fast are in town for the weekend, up from Encinitas, California. These gals do time for the Transworld Snowboarding organization. They do a good job.

We met over at K2 Dan's pad for a cold PBR before going down to Chopsticks Karaoke bar for a couple more PBR's. Good times. We chatted, had some laughs and caught up on all the pertinent developments in our lives.

I even saw Tucker Fransen. He was good and loaded, and we shared many a firm handshake toasting the old days and the like. I used to have his snowboarding photos on my wall. Funny how this little scene works. Tuck is a stand up guy with a good work ethic, making things happen for himself in the Portland machining industry. He bought a little pad up on Sandy Blvd. I look forward to hanging with him here in the big city.

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Tonight we're gonna be seafaring pirates on Portland’s very own “booze cruise.” Now I’m sure they don’t use that moniker in any official collateral; but to the young & enebriated of metro Portland, it is fondly known as this handle.

Up and down the Willamette River, getting good and lit in the cold Portland night.

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Novembrrr is here and man, it is chilly out. So refreshing. Going into battle: This morning I even threw on my Grease Monkey Corp. moto gloves to brave this new climate. (Thanks Campo.)

The house is a bit chilly, as I have to utilize the wall heaters a bit more. The sleeping quarters are good and toasty, which is priority one.

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Rent is paid, the bank account is good and corpulent and were in the official two week countdown phase of the upcoming “Bunch of Fuckers going to Austin” trip.