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.