I'll paint you something

I've started throwing paint around in the garage and it's been kind of fun. So far, I've made a few pieces for my mom, my girlfriend Abby and this latest (pictured while still in progress) for my friend Mandy. If anyone would like one, send me a comment with the color scheme of your room and I'll try my best, my best being the palette of color offered in small cans of enamel and spray paint at Meijer down the street. They're free for now, it's just for fun, but maybe someday I'll go into business.



























Update 1.16.2007: I've got a few new examples of finished projects:



























Update 1.31.2007: Two more have been added and are already on the way out.

Nine Sixteen Oh Six

Here are the pictures from my birthday party. I apologize in advance for the blurriness. I temporarily forgot what a flash is used for. Maybe we can consider them some sort of abstract art for the time being.















Those who came, came with their invitations and were hastily rewarded.















We played a game some call "nuts on a log," others call "redneck golf," and yet others prefer the nomenclature "cornhole." Drew is in the back, fetching a pitcher of Founder's Pale Ale with such veracity that he is blurred and nearly indistiguishable. Fetch that pitcher, Drew. Fetch it with speed.




















Here is Toni, enjoying the hell out of Cornhole.















Toni was also celebrated at the party. Her birthday is 9-11. I do not know when Sara's birthday is, but I assume she just as well had a good time at the party.















There was food. A lot of food. Too much, in fact. The chocolate zucchini cake and fig tartlets had yet to be served and already the guests were filling to capacity.















Dave demonstrates how they eat things on the east side. The next day, Toni would show us what sweatshirts they wear there.















What good is a birthday party with out a session of butt-jumping on your own bed with Dave?















Dave enjoys bed jumping just as much as he enjoys beer. Actually, he enjoys beer more.















Sara and Dave had a good time at my party...I remember having to break up their smooching session once or twice.















This is a picture of me asleep. My face is always like that, even asleep. Don't make fun of me. I was born like that.

Bridges on Kent Trails

Last Saturday, (9-2) I got up early, started making some bread, and went for a ride on Kent Trails, from Jenison to East Grand Rapids. I went over or under (or past) at least six bridges on the way.

















1-196 Gerald R. Ford Freeway over the Jenison Trail and the Grand River.

















Someone loves Nikki.

















Kent Trails bridge over the Grand River (above and below) .


































Old train trellis on the other side of the river, just off the bridge (above and below).




































I-196 Gerald R. Ford Freeway, over Kent Trails (above and below).








































Wealthy Street over the Grand River.
















Wealthy Street over an inconspicuous vehicle.


Labor Day was the first Grand Crossings Bridge Walk. I went with my mother and we crossed all seven bridges, from Fulton to Leonard. Wealthy could have been the eighth but maybe Mayor Heartwell wasn't feeling up to it. We passed him running by us in the opposite direction near the end of the walk. I think he was running to catch the end of the Labor Day Parade.

Bike ride through Grand Rapids

Over the weekend I took a bike ride to East Grand Rapids. After you get over the Grand River on Kent Trails, you start to see some inetersting things.

I passed a radio station on the way.
















Stainless.
















An old abandoned building. The foliage on the brick wall is a sharp contrast to the scourge of urban sprawl. At least something is using the building.





















If I were a homeless fellow, I might check this out. Although, if I were an machete wielding psycho who wore the skin of his victims, I might also check this out. I didn't spend too much time here.





















There is no way to get down from this escape...some escape.





















Closer to downtown, on Division.
















I had to lie on my back for this one. Someone honked at me, so I waved to show them I was OK.





















Heartside.
















Artside.





















Downtown at Rosa Parks Circle, there was a 24-hour AIDS Awareness thing going on.
















Someone had put up some big paintings.
















Later on, there was going to be a candlelight vigil.





















Down the street, at the wigs store. Something on this one belonged to Raquel Welch.





















I made a stop at Little Bohemia and found a new friend. Fingerpuppet Che says "Unite, mi hermanos de los rapids grande."
















It's good to know, just in case. Unfortunately, the door is all boarded up.

Cinco de Mayo

We had our Cinco de Mayo party, also in celebration of Brandon's birthday, on Saturday, May 6. There were about 75-100 people here over the course of the night. Lots of food-- both vegan and otherwise -- two pinatas, good music, games, and sparkling conversation were dispatched throughout.

We started at around noon, getting the decorations ready.
















Brandon was making empanadas, tortillas, and fajitas.





















In true Brandon fashion, he used many dishes. We went through a few dishwasher cycles before most people (except Chad) arrived.
















Chad brought stuff to make sangria.
















I finally finished making my tamales.
















Grandma Russell brought her famous Spanish rice and chicken. Then, the people started to come. Grandma Nona, Grandpa Dick, Amanda, Ashley, and Bridget were among the first.































Most everyone enjoyed the food. Once (clockwise from left) Dave, Sara, Dar, and Toni showed up, the party was in full swing.
















We started with the Batman pinata. Chad was first, then me. We were both pretty disoriented. Wearing a bandana and sombrero after being spun a few times has a tendency to make you a little queasy.



































































































Then, Brandon spun Gillian and she took to it.


















































Andy had a little better luck.



























































Then, Brandon tried.
















After that, Batman wasn't in the greatest shape.





















But finally, the caped crusader was busted by a broom stick.
















Gillian kept a souvenir.





















Andy did, too.





















A few hours later, we got into the second pinata. It was a big blue ball, a little simpler than the Batman pinata. What it lacked in coolness, though, it made up for in prizes. The pinata weighed well over 20 pounds. I fit at least 15 pounds of candy in it. That's apart from all the stuff we got from the dollar store -- toothpaste, toothbrushes, bubbles, baby shoes, feminine hygiene products -- the usual.





































































































Finally, Andy got an idea and high kicked it. Then, we all started beating it until the prizes started flowing like the sangria was inside.





















The party was a great success. One to be remembered by many and probably not remembered by a few, too.