Field Trip!

Hey people. Last week an old art pal of mine (okay- she's not old, but we're pretty good buds is what I mean) came up to my place and we went on a little expedition to a junk yard one town over.

For those of you who've never been to a junk yard-- if you're going (for art purposes anyway), be sure to bring a couple buckets, some gloves, shoes you don't care about getting dirty (this actually goes for all your clothing), a camera, and a big smile-- because until you win them over the junk yard guys are going to think you're a total weirdo & not want to let you in.

You need to convince them you aren't going to be a big pain in the butt, or try to make off with any saleable parts, or sue them if you get a scratch or whatever, and you aren't going to be high maintenance and need a whole bunch of help that will take them away from their actual work.

Once we convinced them to let us into the inner sanctum (the main yard), and that we were only after basically garbage (to them)-- little rusty do-dahs laying around on the ground etc, we began scavenging. That's when I first saw her---

The first thing I said was, "Oh honey..." because to me she was beautiful, and a little dangerous looking, with her chicken wire windshield. What kind of a life did she live before winding up here? Then I saw the remains of her race number.

Her and everybody else probably thought she was done for. End of the line. Wrong. Not now that I've seen her. WAY too cool to let her just up and die in a field somewhere. I'm plotting how to haul her to my place, maybe in one piece, maybe in sections. The junk yard main cog told me I can have her cheap. She's not restorable. All I see is beauty here-- and stories.

She has friends too. Check out this crackling paint. Pretty cool huh?

Hmm. Same age as me. Maybe it's no coincidence I find all the "flaws" and "destruction" on these old beauties are what makes them the most interesting. The broken glass shone like jewels.

Look at this design. You just don't see this anymore-- well, that's not totally true-- there is good design out there, but it's kind of like music I guess-- I have a deep appreciation of the roots, even as I enjoy the new. Look at the moss growing on the frame. Cool.

When I saw this hood I thought "Blue Roan." I've got a big horse in my brain right now. I recently saw a half-Percheron, half-Frisian-- huge and gorgeous-- thick arched neck, sculpted muscular legs, kind of a short back for his height, compact head. I see it dappled-- blue, white, & blue-gray steel. But roan would be cool too.

Look at this transformation-- the bleached paint with rust coming through, like a beach-- waves on a beach.

After filling our buckets we headed over to some other art bud's place to see what they've been up to. There was so much more awsomeness it won't all fit in one post. I decided to do a whole post just dedicated to that visit over on the art blog, so check over there later today.

In other SueNews:

Around the old hacienda it's the cat's favorite time of year-- when they find little spots in the perennials or underbrush to take a nap jungle style.

That is when they're not sacking-out on the deck...
(This is Ray.)

Rough life huh?
(This is Tootie, Mike's main squeeze- Yes, they're still a "thing".)

This was funny-- the other day me and Trusty Pam went up to St. Cloud to check out the "Jail Trail". (We're trying to expand our horizons.) No sooner had we got the bikes off the car than this young guy, about 20 or so, goes, "I think I've heard of you-- Is that Penny?"

I almost died laughing! "Yep-- this is her. You can touch her for a quarter." That's right, Penny is now famous.

The Jail Trail was fun, interesting, lots flatter than our normal trail (Hillside), but TONS of trees super tight against the trail, and tons of twists etc. Very, very tight trail. Pam was in the lead, and I was just thinking how she should probably always lead when we check out a new trail because I'm way more cautious and it would probably frustrate her to follow me. I'd for sure do a slow recon run, then maybe hit it again if I still had any gas in the tank, or just come back and be bolder next time.

I was just thinking of some witty remark to make like, "I may be more cautious, but you def get more bloody," (I have the record for the most spectacular, bone breaking crash, but Pam def has the record for the most blood spilled, and most "dismounts.")-- when WHAM. She totally nailed a tree with her knee. She got a point-- blood all the way to the sock = 1 point.

We walked for a while until it seemed to bleed a little slower at least. We didn't get very far before we got to this weird rickety bridge with no sides and missing boards going through a swamp. At the end it dropped off into a patch of really gnarly, super bumpy roots. I was leading now and Penny bucked like a champ but we made it. A little while along I go, "Wow-- those were bumpy huh?" -- Nothing.

I look back and no Pam. I stop and wait. No Pam. I get off my bike and jog back down the trail-- here comes Pam, looking a little shaky-- she went over the bars into the roots. By now she was kind of a wreck, so we walked a bunch more. Of course we had no bug spray. Eventually she felt up to riding again and we took whatever shortcuts we could find back to the lot. We'll have to go back and try for a clean run someday.

My times at the trail are stuck at the 55 minute mark. I can now ride some stuff I couldn't last year, so there is progress being made, but I am not in great shape yet, and probably carrying some extra weight. Next week I'll weigh in and face the music.

Kate though--- sent me this awesome pic of her and Megan riding in a 30 mile ride at their place! They've never ever tried anything like this so it was huge for them. They actually made it the whole ride. Megan said after she probably could have had a better time on her own bike, not having to wait for her mom. (Hmm, not too sure about that, but approve of her spirit.) She's the kid I never had-- she got all riled-up when people would pass them and want to pour it on. Next year she may get a chance to try it on her own bike.

I think it's awesome they were both willing to go outside the box and risk failure to try something new. I'm so glad they had a good experience! Kate-- your seats are kind of low for road riding though! (God-- everyone in this pic's are.)

Stop Not Doing Stuff!

Hey people. That's what I'm yelling at myself today, but because of fun plans with a couple art pals, "real work" (actual welding) will start tomorrow I guess.

We creatives have a method when we feel depleted and tapped-out. We say we're "filling the well." It's kind of like doing math in your head, kind of like keeping the goose that lays the golden eggs alive. To the outside world you may look bogged down in inertia, but at times like this, your main job is to collect ideas and let your brain run it's self-check.

So yesterday here was pretty much the only outward sign of productivity-- new hangers. Take that laundry! Yes, it was a mighty blow I struck against disorganization and un-hung-up clothing the world over. ~wipes sweat from brow~

In my head though-- a whole bunch of amazing crap was going on. For one thing (stop smirking Katie) I guess I have a new obsession... You guys, I'm like, getting this, almost for sure. Dan's on board and everything.

Check out the original ad from the early 70's-- Sure it can't go over 50 mph, but it can carry 450 lbs I guess, and just LOOK at it you guys-- it's so cool! Plus-- it's almost like they jumped into some time machine and already knew about my unlikely gun incident last weekend. Not to mention-- her outfit looks amazingly like Tina's. Now I guess I'll have to get my own bad-ass jumpsuit to ride around town in. It's going to take a lot of practice to ride standing on the seat like this though, shooting off a gun... (Just kidding. About the gun.)

Here's the original ad copy:

"Remember her sister? The Trail 55? This kid is the Trail 90 and she packs 30% more oomph. Load her with 450 pounds. She’ll make out better over the rough terrain than anyone in the business. The big push comes from the OHV single cylinder 4 stroke engine. She’ll climb over 50% incline if you feel so inclined. And deliver 160 miles per gallon. The Trail 90 comes with an automatic clutch, extra hand brake and the only standard equipment spark arrestor approved by the USDA forest service. If you like the athletic type try the new Honda Trail 90. Price? $330 plus a modest set-up charge. Contact your local Honda dealer for more information. "

Check out the rad helmet I could get--

Or this "Speed Racery" one!

160 miles per gallon people. Just think of how many trips to Target and Cub I could get in on a tank of gas! So anyway-- that's fun.

I also looked at tons of metal sculptures on line (more filling the well). When I do this I'm not looking at stuff and going, "Yeah, I could make something like that." It's just that as I look new ideas kind of take shape, or threaten to-- unformed almost-ideas begin floating through the goo. It's kind of like your brain becomes a lava lamp.

Another exercise is being open. (This goes with Sue-point-oh too.) If I get an idea, play the "what if?" game all the way out. So when I had an idea of a side business running a concession stand, that led to a whole bunch of ruminating about menus, start-up costs, environmental impact, partnerships, investigating expenses, etc etc.

Let's just say I'm not running out and buying a booth anytime soon. But I do really like the idea of a micro business-- super lean, super simple. I could see having a little soup-of-the-day delivery route on my new motorcycle or something. "The souper- cycle?" Then again-- I'd rather just do art, and maybe start writing again eventually.

Also-- I know I haven't mentioned Penny much lately, but that's because it's been really wet. I unfortunately let myself get REALLY out of shape in the last month. I rode a few days ago and the trail totally kicked my BUTT! Somehow I've back slid a tiny bit. I'm better than I was last year, but-- not feeling very zippy or confident right now.

This doesn't mean I'm getting less interested in riding though. I think it's really important for me to keep doing it and learning, and challenging myself. This is super mental for me as well as physical. It is physically very demanding, but I work through a lot of fear to get to the fun, but when I get there, it's such a great feeling of accomplishment and, well, joy.

That's pretty big.

Beep, Boop, Beep, Boop,

Hey people. Not a lot of time this morning. Suddenly I only have 4 days left to get ready for my show! I had one of those "unprepared" dreams the other night; I showed up to the show to find two snotty, superior acting interns had been assigned to create my booth display for me. Somehow I'd managed to forget everything. I didn't even have a pen, and people were beginning to stream in. They just rolled their eyes while I panicked.

Fortunately in real life things are going smoother, but I'll be working like a maniac right until the load-out, as is my custom.

In other SueNews:

Early spring seems here to stay where I live. It's been gorgeous out! It's been so fun getting to ride bikes again! Yesterday me and Dan rode the entire mountain bike trail for the first time all year.

All winter I've day dreamed about it, and how this year I'm going to really improve. I was so relieved and happy to feel how great Penny responded. She felt really natural, and my fear level was much lower, which really surprised me. That is by far my biggest obstacle. I still wussed on two downhills that have drops, and are steep, and have lots of rocks, but I rode some other stuff that was scary to me last year-- and no dismounts or incidents (aside from a couple close calls.) I even did a couple small wheelies going over humps or logs, trying to work up to jumping.

Things are pushing out of the ground, and buds are opening. It's an exciting time. I'm looking forward to smelling lilacs etc, and after next Sat, I'm back to no deadline. SA-WEEEEET!

Hitting the panic button

Hey people. Stuff like this makes me very happy. It's what I call "primo rust."

Work (visual art) is going really well right now. The other day someone asked me if I'm ready for my next show (in 2 weeks!) and I laughed and was like, "No- Of course not!"

I always tell myself I'm going to pace myself and plan ahead so I won't be panicking at the last minute, but no matter when I start preparing, it's always the same-- working like a maniac right up to the last second. All my artist friends are exactly the same way.

Last week, I heard the best explanation to date for that. I wish I could remember where I saw or heard this, but the theory was-- artists thrive under pressure, because when you hit panic mode, you stop thinking. This allows the creative part of your brain to take over. I've always wished I had all my great last minute ideas earlier on. Now I know why I don't get them until those last weeks before a deadline I guess.

In other SueNews:

Somehow my efforts to lose 10 pounds by spring have failed miserably. I've GAINED 5 despite making the delicious cookies I made around the holidays go live in the woods where I'd have to go running to get at them.

The last time this happened (gaining 5 pounds), by the following week I'd lost 8, so, fingers crossed. Ugh! My ass fat confounds me people!

You know that study that came out last week that said women over 40 have to work-out for an hour a day just to maintain? I completely believe it. That's how I am anyway. I think I'm going to try to squeeze in lunchtime runs for a while. I mean, spring is basically HERE, and I now have 15 pounds to lose!

~panics!~ ~Stops thinking!~ ~Goes out to make more art!~

Sea Change

Hey people. I spent the weekend working on Tina, with a little break Sat morning helping out at the trail that is to be her home. This weekend it was all about the butt people-- Tina's butt, anyway.

I spent Sat afternoon working on her right thigh and working my way around to her backside. It's challenging because I have to keep shifting my thinking from 2D to 3D. In the frame-out process it's pretty easy. I kind of see whatever it is in 3D before I even start, so it's just a matter of caging that image.

But with this new method of covering the entire frame with steel, it's a bit of a trick figuring out how to take the flat pieces of steel and mold them to the shape. They aren't elastic, can't stretch. They generally only want to curve one direction, so if you think of someone's leg, which is roughly cylindrical, and how it attaches to their body at the butt-- that curve, you begin to see that people curve all kinds of ways.

To avoid a stove-pipey, robot appearance you have to cut all kinds of triangles and odd shapes you can work multi-directional curves and slight twists into. Since I'm doing all the bending by hand, usually just using a couple pairs of pliers and sometimes my trusty blue hammer, it's tricky-- and slow.

When I looked at her at the end of the day Sat it was a big disappointment because her butt was a little draggy. She had a little too much junk back there and I knew Sun the first part of the day would be spent cutting apart all the work I'd so meticulously done the day before.

It was worth it though. My working mantra is "I'm not going to all this trouble to have it turn out 'okay,'" -- or some version of-- if you're going to put in any effort, you're already buying in, so why not go for it? You might as well give it your all. That way, you have a shot at creating something really awesome-- special.

I'm going through another phase where my base metals are reconfiguring somehow. Every once in a while I have a major shift. I used to fight it, but now think it's just part of my journey and roll with it, as much as I can, and trust it'll lead me where ever I need to go.

The last time it happened was a couple years ago. I felt like a capped fire hydrant all the time. I needed to listen to music constantly. My earphones were like an umbilical cord, filling my ears with raw, heavy rock that felt like it was helping me vent off some of the steam.

I wrote constantly, and the theater in my brain ran movies every waking moment. It was so overpowering it sometimes made it hard to hang out with actual humans because I'd be distracted by the fictional characters in my head. I felt like my life would be totally pointless if I never got published.

Now something's changing again. I seem to have figured out how to manage the energy surges, which are less intense. Mountain biking, even just thinking about it or watching it, seems to have replaced the need for non-stop rock and that wild, hyper feeling (most of the time), and the writing? It's different.

I've detached from it, and that feels scary because I worry about not being able to "get back" to wonderland, but also important, like I can get perspective. I've written enough and read enough over the last couple of years to realize good writers are sort of a dime a dozen. The real trick is finding a story that holds up structurally-- and is different enough from everything else out there to feel fresh, and so needs to be told it's clawing its way out of you-- unstoppable.

Right now I have no such story, so am concentrating on my visual art, both technically and energetically, and letting things ferment, and reading as much as I can. I'm going to start listening to books on tape again too, after almost two years of taking a break from that and just jamming-out while I weld.

I'm monitoring my always fluctuating energy, and waiting to see what will happen next.

Life is pretty amazing isn't it?

New mode

Hey people. It's totally become spring around here. This weekend it actually got up to 64! If it snows next week that will seem like a pretty dirty trick at this point, but anything's possible. People are talking about record flooding this year. Our river is a little high, but actually, so far, not as high as other years. (This is a deck down by the river's edge, not our house or anything.)

One time when there was a "100 year flood" a few years ago, the water got all the way through the fifteen or so acres of woods behind our house up to our back yard, but has never made it to our house. We're not really worried.

Last night after work me and Dan went down to the river and had a couple beers with the next door neighbors we share the woods with. Here's me with massive helmet head.

They are artists too, so are their two grown daughters-- an artist & a writer. We feel pretty lucky, to live here, and with such cool people.

I have a show in less than four weeks now. I have a commission waiting and my best gallery is calling for more work, and the others have told me they're waiting too. I'm also planning another open-studio this summer. I'm going into a heavy art making phase. This weekend though, all I wanted to work on was the lady I'm making for the trail-- whose name, turns out, is Tina.

Sometimes things just reveal themselves. This was painted on the race car chassis I'm using to cover her with. So Tina it is.

She also got a job.

And a sponsor! Hmm. I guess she's a racer. How did that happen?

Some of you may have noticed me referring to a girl racer named Sam in a few of the race posts. She's the pretty blond who's been starring in the "move it" Blue Cross/Blue Shield t.v. ads. Now they're sponsoring her and her hubs for the 2010 mtb race season. They'll probably be helicoptered in to races now and have "people" and stuff.

I have to admit this racing idea is getting to me. I'd like to try it some more, but there is the whole fear of failure thing to contend with. I'd have to work really hard to improve to become good enough. Def not there yet. We'll see.

I'm pretty into her. It took me three days to finish framing her out-- (she was just roughed in before), and cover most of her jersey, but I have to put her aside again now. I'd like to have her completely finished in time for the show and bring her to show off. You never know-- might get a commission off her.

After that she can go to her new home at the trail. She represents a new level in my work. I have a few other large human figures kicking around. Now when I look at them compared to her-- they don't really hold up.

I love the trail. It's more than a place to me. It's like a power cord-- a life line. It's opened up so many possibilities in the last couple of years-- given me a sport I'm getting pretty passionate about, that has really leveled me out, and introduced me to a bunch of new friends too. It makes me feel good that I can contribute something to the park that other people will be able to enjoy. Plus-- selfishly, I don't really want to give this one up. I'm really attached. This way I can kind of keep her too.

I'm going to really get cranking now, on "work work", and try to finish her on weekends and after the whistle blows. Time to weld. Have a good one people.

Written In Reverse

Hey people. Symtomatic of my present mind-eff'd-ness, I had the hardest time picking out a song for today's Fav Music Fri. The process mirrored what's been going on with me creatively lately-- I had a few ideas, but when I looked up videos those bloomed into way more ideas, then I began thinking about it-- probably too much, and it just got more and more difficult to make a choice.

Then in the middle of the night I remembered this song, which hasn't been out that long, and it is PERFECT. Enjoy "Written In Reverse" by Spoon. (It's not really a vid, but listen anyway.)



It's so weird being sort of married to your work. When you're a creative, it's not just what you do, it's who you are, so how all that's going affects your moods and everything. Lately it's one of those phases where there's a lot of stuff roiling around building up pressure, but not being released in any gratifying way. ~frustrating~

With the writing-- it's easy to get into an almost masturbatory groove with it-- where it feels really good-- you're feeling that special alchemy of words from your head creating actual people and circumstances and it all sounds really good-- vivid. It's ON-- but then you see really it's not. It's just you playing with your tools, the words, messing around with a story that isn't really worth telling. And in this market-- the story is the thing that will sell your work.

If you are a writer and plan on holding onto your sanity (HA!), you are fated to walk a line between surrendering to the process, telling yourself that even if nothing ever happens with your work you'd still do it because you can't not do it, and trying to face reality-- it probably won't happen for you-- but it FOR SURE won't if your work is weak in any way.

So that's where I am. At this point I've written over 40k words of unpublishable crap (just for this one project), but it might be leading me to something through the back door of "well, I now know that approach doesn't work." Now I have to work on visual art. That's taking over my brain again, so I'm back to composing story lines in my head.

Is this a story that needs telling?
Why should anyone care what happens to this person?
What if all the major chunks of the story were shifted around so the reader had to figure out what this is a puzzle of?
How formative are events?
Can you win a war if you lose parts of yourself?

Gah. This story's written in reverse. Somebody call a hearse! The lighbulb's going off.
Here's how the sun woman came out. She's pretty cool, and I learned something important about expressions.

The welder awaits. Game on. Have a good weekend you guys.

Shifting Gears

Hey people. I finished the last batch of tree sculptures yesterday (Thank God) and am delivering them today (Mon) to a gallery up north. So ends my "holiday push" for this year. I have a couple gifts to make, one personal, and one for a special client, a surprise gift, maybe-- if it turns out.

Prepare yourself, this post is going to be as rambling and jumbled as my brain is right now. Speaking of-- Oh- hey- here's the salad I made for Thanksgiving-- (you can click for a more delicious view)

It came about because my 95 year old grandma can't eat any greens. It's shredded carrots, sweet peas (raw), toasted almonds, pomegranate seeds, and raisins coated in cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, nutmeg and sea salt. Dan says it's so awesome it should be on some cooking show.

I'm pretty happy to have stumbled on something healthy that I like because I'm going to be battling weight gain again for a while. The weather is making getting in regular rides at the trail impossible, and from here on out, if it's actually rideable, it will be frozen, & possibly covered with snow and ice, meaning IF I work up the guts to go at all, it will be at a snail's pace. Not exactly fat burning. To top it off, My leg is still messed up from my last spill, so I can only manage a plodding trudge that could be charitably described as a slow jog.

I need to really get on the eating sitch if I'm not going to be able to burn as much fuel off. Turns out-- if you slow down your activities, and eat primarily cold cereal, candy, and reduced-fat Chips Ahoy cookies, your AssFatAirBags deploy. Boo. Luckily, I now have that awesome salad in my arsenal. Yum.

Very excited about going down to visit Sis and the brood later this week. Isn't she adorable? I can't wait to hang-out, dork-out, laugh my butt off, and just kind of "be" in her space for a while. I really need to slow things down right now, take a beat.

I also can't wait to see my rockin' niece and nephew. Megan is eight now, I'm pretty sure-- anyway, every time I see her she's more grown up. We've always had this "thing", a big connection.

Everyone, even her mom, jokes about how she's like the kid Katie had for me-- my kid out of her body. Fine with me. Thanks sis-- way to take one for the team.

Me and the boy need to get to know each other better this trip. We share a music thing, and like each other, but we're different species so it's harder. Now that he's 5 1/2 I'm hoping the whole annoying toddler temper tantrum stage will be over and I'll be able to meet the human he's on his way to becoming.

I'm thinking about so much creative stuff right now. This is the time of year I plan, and try to rest, but when you do what I do it never really shuts off so it's more a matter of controlling the flow rate. I've been working really hard in the shop for a long time, and need a break from that, but I can't just not think about it at all or it will be March and I'll be behind already.

I have to decide how I want to approach the coming year, what kind of work I want to put out, what shows do I want to line up, what to tell people who want commissions-- when I'll work on those, who I want to partner with for selling-- galleries etc, will I do any public art? Big projects? That's all just simmering.

Writing-wise I'm eager to get back to writing, but this year need to approach that differently than I have in the past. I've learned SO much in the last few years writing novels. The main thing that resonates this week is that I can write-- I apparently have unfettered access to a whole cast of characters I can flesh-out quite handily, and can get into a groove of a voice and carry it along through a whole project. I'm basically a good writer who gets better the more I do it (like all artists), but I really need to get a handle on structure.

I've always begun with a basic idea and kind of rolled with it, usually making outlines as I go that morph as characters kind of go feral. I can really easily get into a flow of some tangent that appears and write tens of thousands of words that seem really good, but since I'm not really following a plotline, it gets pretty sloppy.

Kind of like this post.

Bla bla bla. Anyway, I'm letting the creative hose just kind of run into the stock tank right now and trying to figure out how to make the work I do this year be more "on purpose."

Also I have tons of ideas for a new non-fiction project unlike anything I've done before. I think I'll do it as a new, separate blog first to kind of test it out. Right now the working title is- "The Road To Ruin- Or- How To Be An Artist For Reals, Attitude, MFA, & Brooding Good Looks Optional." It will be really smart alecky, but also give tons of practical real world advice.

What do you guys think? About any of this?

Weird Effing Wed- creepy dolls & pseudoprofanity edition

Hey people. Buckle-up is all I can say today. If you are new or squeamish, this post might be a bit much for you. You've been warned. For the rest of you freaks-- here are your creepy dolls. ~tosses at the internets~

Yes-- I'm freaking terrified here. Who wouldn't be of antebellum debutante zombie doll with her motorcycle-ride hairdo. If you look close her little hands are reaching and grasping, ready to entangle themselves in hair, clothing, whatever she can grab. Run!

Yeah, here we go. This appears to be some kind of human trafficking container that has busted open to reveal either Pocahontas, or some woman nabbed from a mountain bike race, Bigfoot, some poor thing who has just given birth to E.T., a giant Edith Bunker, and a fembot.

Is it just me or are there shades of Twilight here? Some super pale boy in clothes from another century looking on, (probably seething with murderous rage), as "Bella", (apparently down from another swoon-fest), is ravaged by a delighted were-skunk, while his pack of were-Cavalier King Charles Spaniels looks on disapprovingly.

Raggedy Andy and his mail order bride. Local women proved too uppity for him, and, you know, thought he was hideous, so he paid $10k for Svetlana. She can't believe her good fortune. Now she is able to live in America-- Land of milk and honey, and clean this guy's house and do his laundry-- and him, and maybe get a part time job at a fast food restaurant someday! (This is almost a true story you guys... That's all I can say about that.)

One clown is crying and the other is screaming in terror as the Easter Bunny pulls his hair & lays the hammer down. First rule of the Easter Bunny's all clown fight club-- You DO NOT talk about Easter Bunny's all clown fight club.

Okay peeps. The rest of this post is probably going to be salted liberally with pseudo & actual profanity, so, if that bothers you, now would be a good time to tune out. Bottom line is I have to make a shit-load more of the effing, effing, S.O.B-ing- Imeanbeeyoutiful trees.

Look at these gorgeous m-effers. I know. I like them too. But I tell you I am SICK TO DEATH of making them!

Yes, it is at my discretion. I could just say, "Nope, sorry-- I'm out," like I have other years. But here's the thing. They sell really well, and times are not just hard for artists (and, er... everyone else) right now, but also for gallery owners. They could make some sure $ off these, and I could use it too, even if I'm only making about half through them, so I feel like I need to suck it up and make about 4 effing dozen more!

The thought sickens me. I was so planning to be "off" by now, spending long hours writing and revising, and screwing off. So far that hasn't happened. I've had a couple days off (literally, like, 2) but otherwise have been still working on art stuff all month. Now that I figured out last night I have to go into full-on tree mode again-- I'm pissed and stressed. I could only sleep for about 5 hours because I kept doing the math in my head-- "Seriously-- I have to make how many??" My wrath, is totally fucking incurred man.

I'm so sick of tasting metal dust in my throat, and soot settling in all my pours and etching the lines on my face-- speaking of-- lines on my face? That is a fucking OUTRAGE too. I only feel, like, fifteen or 30 (depending on the day). I look in the mirror and it's like-- "gasp-- who the eff is that?" I'm tired of my hands hurting and the plates of my skull grinding together when my helmet gets heavy, and coughing all the time and my windpipe getting pasted shut, and my eyes burning.

I'm going to take tomorrow off for some retail therapy, then hit it again straight through until Thanksgiving and hope I can get them all done in one mass session. (which would be a new record to say the least)

Tomorrow I'm going to IKEA, land of all things cool and cheap and seductive for the home, and the Mall Of America-- land of everything, including Auntie Anne's Cinnamon pretzel sticks.

If I find some hot-ass velvet pants or cords in a color I can't resist it could be ON. If I find a cool military/"I'm with the band" black jacket to go with my new fuck-yeah equestrian-ish boots it could so be on. But it probably won't be.

Remember the fierce coat I super wanted (above)? Couldn't bring myself to do it. The purple cords I super wanted? I couldn't pull the trigger until they were on sale for $12 at H&M and came with a free sweater.

This "spree" will probably end much like my annual state fair pig-out mission, where I go there with every intention of completely debasing myself and having to be carted out in a wheelbarrow, only to eat a walleye sandwich and half and order of cheese curds before wussing-out.

I just do not have it in me to be a total spend-thirft gross American consumer, but I'm going to skip-out tomorrow, and not do a lick of work, and consider buying a bunch of shit I don't need, and try to feel all decadent.

Humor, Hooks & Heavy Guitars

Hey people. That's the way a local reviewer described Weezer- today's pic for Fav Music Fri. She went on to say, "They haven't reinvented the wheel here, but would you really want Weezer to do that?" No-- you'd want them to just rock-out with the fun music they always put out.

Their new album dropped this week- "Ratitude" (named by Dwight from The Office, a friend of the band's frontman Rivers Cuomo) (one of their promotions for it is that you can but a Weezer Snuggie in red or blue) and I've been waiting for the video for the first single to be released. Enjoy "If you're wondering if I want you to, I want you to" by Weezer.



A lot of people who listened to Weezer in high school or college claim to be "over" them. They came along later for me and I still really get into them. It's just fun power-poppy music. Rivers has stated his ambition is to write American pop music. He doesn't see that as anything to be ashamed of. Pop = popular, relatable. He wants to write music people jam-out to and sing along with that is accessible. I'm calling it a win.

I still love stomping around singing "I am the greatest man who ever lived" and I love it when I'm riding and "Everybody get dangerous" comes on. Go Weezer!

In other SueNews:
I decided to do one more show before dealing stuff out to galleries so today I'm setting up for an open house/show at my neighbor's studio. This also means I'll be making jewelry today and tonight. I have to say, I really like how the "Fast Machine" jewelry has been coming out, and much to my delight-- the people who were drawn to it last weekend were exactly the kind of people I had in mind-- cool, active, and kind of kick-ass.

My calf sprain is healing-up. It hasn't been affecting my riding too much, but last night I tried running and it was definitely "there", making me shorten my stride quite a bit, but, do-able. This morning before I dive into another workday, I'm going riding with DangerGirlJr T-Rose, that girl I took out on her second ride. We may ride the whole course, have to see what she's up for.

I can't believe this week is already gone. A couple more play dates next week, but hopefully, lots more writing happening.

Let's put a little mojo on this sucker...

Hey people. Well, My show is tomorrow. Today is the load-in, later in the afternoon. Until then I'll be continuing to make jewelry like a mofo. This new "line" I've been working on is called "Fast Machine", in honor of adventurous, strong, kick-ass women everywhere.

The basic ingredients are: bike gears, birds, red/green/amber beads, & watch parts.

I'm pretty cheap. There aren't too many things I look at and think are worth the money-- or I may see the value, but it's just not worth it to me to have whatever it is.

But I really like these- the whole vibe behind them. I'm going to charge $40 for the necklaces, and $20 for the bracelets. I know it isn't cheap, but those are decent gift price points, and like I said-- I'd buy them. And I don't say that much, even about my own stuff.

Remember Flo Jo? How awesome was she? (Very)

As far as my own zoomy awesomeness goes-- not very at the moment. I was riding this really no-brainer part of the trail, a flat part I usually use to get some speed up and I guess I got too close to the edge and clipped a root or something because it was like someone stuck a stick through my spokes.

Long story short, the bike stopped fast, I didn't, and sprained my gastroc (which is this calf muscle that goes into the back of your knee) when I hyperextended going over. Essentially it feels like my knee is super messed-up, but it's not serious. It just will suck for a little while and makes me ride shitty (er) now until I can put all my weight on it.

So-- Bla bla bla. You guys feeling me on the new jewelry or am I high? Do you think the pricing sounds okay? Tell me now. Sunday is too late. Heck, tomorrow morning is too late. Sound off!

I didn't forget it's Fav Music Fri btw. Today's pick flies in the face of my usual thinking, but it's a fun song and I'm using it to put the whammy on tomorrow. When you work all month for a one day pay-out, well, let's just say mama is going to be kind of pissed if it tanks. I've done everything I can do about it-- including busting out the mojo. (blows on hands and rubs them)

Groove-out to the Flying Lizards' "Money" and send me some prosperity vibes y'all. If you're a local-- check out the show if you've got time. Deets over on the art blog.

Right About Now

I'm the funk soul brother, check it out now-- I'm the funk soul brother... Okay. I'm not, really. But I'm pretty sure my neighbor busted me jamming way out in my shop yesterday as he drove out of the driveway, and later, I think I scared off an elderly neighbor couple with my funktastic moves-- or it could have been the welding helmet.

Welcome to weird Wednesday people. Last week I went to Axman with art pals Linda & Jamie. That place never disappoints when it comes to weirdness. I'd recommend clicking on all these pics so you can read the signs. In this one Sly himself sings the praises of "soft like a lamb fabric scraps."

This was hanging from the ceiling right where you walk in. Who'd have guessed art geeks would blend so well with hardcore nerds? That's pretty much the population at this store.

In case you didn't know already-- geeks are hilarious. I used to try to get signs like these posted back when I worked retail, but they always got yanked.

You know what would be awesome though? If someone went gorilla and just put up a bunch of funny signs at some popular store they didn't even work at. Do it! I give you permission.

~Rip~ Here. Here's your permission slip. If you do this-- take pics. I'll post them.

Wow, I feel like I'm unleashing a smart-alecy army of pranksters.

*Sniff* This is a dream come true you guys.

Get your Huggy Jesus's while they're hot folks, although, as I've pointed out in the past, we really have no idea this isn't just some random old timey guy, or the dude from the Zigzag package or something.

I had to show you the robot baby bin again. It is just too creepy and bizarre.

I know some people who could use these for stocking stuffers with a card saying, "Use it on yourself D-bag." (That one's just for you Mary.) (*winks*)

I don't know about you but I'd buy one of these pens out of sheer terror of Dennis Leary alone.

When we were there I also scored some sweet valve-stem strobe lights for Penny-- in case I de-wuss next year and try some night rides. I will be *the fanciest* for sure. $2! Woo-hoo!

In other SueNews:

As you might have gathered I'm running primarily on tune-power at this point as I near the finish line. My show is Sat and I've been cranking in high gear for months now. Last month's gallery show kind of swept me clean of "actual art", and I'm too burned-out to effectively tap that well at the moment, so I spent all month making stuff I know has sold in the past-- trees, deer, cats, jewelry. Now all my work rides on one day. Hopefully people will show up and buy. You can check out more about that over on the art blog tomorrow if you want.

Writing has been totally on hold, but Mr. Bigtimeagent told me Fri he's still reviewing my manuscript, so I should hold-off on my revision ideas for now. Yesterday it was announced he's transferring to L.A. to open a west coast division of their agency. That's big, and will either mean this is great for me because he's in a much more powerful position if he decided to sign me, or that I'm too small a fry and he'll cut me loose. We'll have to see.

That's it for today peeps-- the welder awaits. Remember I'm always taking submissions for Weird Wed-- Keep those eyes disturbingly peeled. Later.