Strikes, Gutters and Pasties...

Over the Memoral Day weekend I found myself in one of those situations where you suddenly stop and think to yourself, "How did I end up here!?" Jake and I decided to check out the Memory Lanes Block Party which is just a couple blocks from where he works. We arrived around 9:30 in the evening and enjoyed the warm summery air, some live outdoor hip-hop, some spectacular people watching. The place was saturated with hipster-doofus', leather, tatoos and crazy hair-dos. As the evening progressed, the show moved indoors to the bowling alley- literally... the stage was in the middle of the lanes. This is nothing new. Every weekend they feature a band that plays on a stage right there on the center lanes the open lanes are transformed into a glow-in-the-dark, bowling/light show experience, which is a blast - I recommend it.

On this particular evening, however, the musical lineup included a burlesque show complete with song, dance, and strip tease - as in, ladies were lip-sinking/dancing to music while removing the elaborate costumes that corresponded to the theme of the song... i.e. teachers pet, some western tune, a song about baking, ect. By the end of each bit they were down to their barely-there undies and pasties that usually also went with the theme... i.e. sequined apples, fringe tassels and cupcakes... complete with lit birthday candles... no... I am not embellishing... The grand finale was a 3D sillhouette striptease... that's right, we were wearing 3D glasses watching the blue and red shadow sillouettes of a lady stripping behind a sheet strung up on a stage in the middle of lanes 10, 11 and 12... that's when I paused to ask myself the question "How did I end up here again? I'm watching a 3D strip tease in the middle of a bowling alley... People are still bowling on the open lanes... What!?!?" We did not pay a cover. For some reason that makes me feel a little better about it?

Actually (I can't believe I'm saying this) it was a pretty good show. Very entertaining, and the girls were actually really good at, um... singing... amongst other things... I left with a fresh feeling of confidence and a healthy sense of being a lot more comfortable with my body. Don't get any ideas though. Despite Jake's encouragement, I will not be applying for a job with Le Cirque Rouge.

Wordle

Who knew that arranging words could provide hours of entertainment? Then again, I am so easily amused...

www.wordle.net

Mother's Day at Mrs. Havisham's

No - that's not Mrs. Havisham. That's my Grandma.

This year we celebrated Mother's Day at the Dodge Mansion, where my cousin Prinna and her family are living and taking care of the late Mrs. Dodge's 4 cats as ordered in her will...

As strange as that sounds - I can assure you, it's actually stranger. It was all very reminiscent of Great Expectations. I can't even really begin to describe the experience, but I will share this picture of one of the highlights of the whole experience. The photo is of my 91-year-old Grandma riding up the stair on the, um... electric stair-chair, ride thing. It was a event I will not soon forget. I also probably won't forget my Grandma expressing her anger and disgust toward Clinton Kelly for telling people what not to wear, the cards stuck to the ceiling by the magician, the smell of the library where the cats live, The piles of random stuff everywhere, the story of the bubble boy living next door that hasn't left the house in 15 years and my cousin's daughter Annabelle (I think she's 3) showing me the bed where Mrs. Dodge died - twice.

My family has the most interesting experiences and stories. I love it. My cousin Prinna is writing a book. Not sure how she'll fit it all into one book - she may have to start a series :)

Dad, I need you to help me fix my wheel...

Called my Dad yesterday to ask if he could help me re-thread the hole where the setting screw was missing on my pottery wheel. Jake had taken it to the store to get a new one but it was all chewed up - no good. I know my Dad has re-threading tools and figured he could fix it - no problem. For some reason, however, I was having a really hard time explaining this situation to my Dad.

I described to him the removable wheel and how the screw or bolt that attached it to the "spinning part" was missing. He was very confused. I tried a different description. He didn't get it. I told him I couldn't get a new bolt because the threads were all torn up and that the wheel wouldn't spin until I could re-thread it. Did that makes sense? No. He was getting really frustrated. I could see the look on his face by his tone. His forehead was scrunched, brows ruffled. Usually I am pretty good at descriptions, once I get enough words in, but I was failing miserably.

"Dad, all I need to do it re-thread the hole where the screw tightens the wheel to the spinning mechanism!"

"The screw!?! You mean the lug-nut? How many lug-nuts do you have!? You should have six!"

The light bulb turned on.

My dad thought I had destroyed the wheel on my car. Hahahahaha... no wonder he was so frustrated with me :) I guess I do call a lot about truck issues, so it makes sense.

Haha... I laughed pretty hard... maybe you had to be there though...

Update on the New Wheel

I hauled 50lbs of stoneware clay home from the store last night, bought a new pack of tools, went to Home Depot for a 5 gal clay-storage bucket, fashioned a water pail for the pan drain, chose a sacrificial throwing towel and was ready to go. I sat down, turned on the wheel, wet my sponge and started to wipe down the wheel. It stopped. There must have been a look of horror and dread on my face because Jake practically sprinted over when I said "Uh oh..." Turns out there's just a bolt missing that tightens the wheel to the part that spins. I don't know the technical terms, but we figured it out without too much detective work. So, hopefully an easy fix - but definitely made my stomach drop for a couple seconds. Jake was quick to calm me and told me "not to fret" - which was probably good because I was on my way to doing more than just "fretting". I am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll have a newly installed bolt and some happy action shots to post soon!

AMACO No 1 30901 E

Here it is! My new wheel. Well, not new. It's kinda used. Really used. It's from a high school and it's pretty dirty right now. By the end of the week I hope to have it all shined up. I'm in the process of pricing out wet clay and kiln space. This is not an inexpensive investment, but it's completely worth it! I'm hoping that if things work out, I may try and have enough creations for an end-of-the-summer art fair. I'm thinking maybe Powderhorn? Not sure if they would have me - I'll have to check it out. I knew that someday I would own my own wheel, but I didn't think I'd be able to get one so soon! Now I'll have to start scoping out kilns. Unfortunately, apartment living does not allow for kiln operation, so maybe I'll have to start scoping out homes... scratch that - I'll start pushing my dad to let me set up a kiln in the backyard... haha, yeah right - better just look into renting kiln space for now. Why do I always choose the most expensive hobbies?