LEAP DAY

If your birthday is on Leap Day, congratulations, you finally get to celebrate your birthday on your birth date.

Happy Birthday.

ALOHA MEANS GOODBYE YOU FILTHY EXPLORER

Plans for Saturday have just been dipsy-doo-switch-a-rooed. Why? Well I'm glad you asked...

n.i.l.8 is playing at Cicero's this Saturday, March 1.

I grew up on these guys when I did my tour of Central Illinois. They put on a fucking rad performance...you won't be disappointed. Check their mice pace for a taste of delightfulness [HERE].

We'll be there early for pizza...so if you gots nothin to doody, come out...I might even buy you a beer.

THIS AIN'T NO DISCO

Ever wonder what ad agencies look like...probably not, I guess its not really on too many people's minds, nor should it be. Fuck you...here's a [LINK] anyways....I'm sorry I yelled at you.

DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND

Recommended to me through a previous post, I watched Devil's Playground last night and I have to say I was not disappointed in the least...

Its a documentary following four Amish kids during Rumspringa, the period in which they come of age and explore "the devil's playground" or commonly known as the outside world...Rumpringa begins on their 16th birthday and can last up to 21 or so, during this time they must decide whether or not they will continue the Amish lifestyle and religion or separate from their friends and family to conquer the world on their own.

One of the towns I grew up in was 10 miles or so from an Amish community, so I knew some of their believes, practices and what not...I even went to school with a few of the kids lucky enough to attend public school. But Devil's Playground opened up completely new perspective on some very interesting life questions and what these kids actually have to deal with.

I strongly recommend the movie...

HORI SMOKU SAILOR JERRY

If you didn't already have a good reason to go to SXSW....now you do, to see the world premiere of HORI SMOKU SAILOR JERRY.

[WEBSITE & TRAILER]

WEEKEND, SOMETHINGS & SOME MORE

Friday...bars, good times good times.

Saturday I went to get my Daniel Johnston piece framed. Yeah...I could have done it myself, but with something like that I'd rather have a professional do it. So I ended up at Art Mart mostly because its a bunch of artists that work there, so I figure they'd have more respect for the piece and not just toss it on a table in the back. Turns out the skank helping me, while cool, lost points for not knowing who Daniel Johnston is and for giving me the "are you sure you're not retarded" look when I'm telling her what I want done to preserve the drawing full of swastikas and Captain America standing next to an orange blob who's speech bubble is telling the world he wants a Big Mac... and motherfucker is custom framing expensive. Thankfully I had a 40% off coupon, otherwise nobody would have seen my ass for a month due to the debt I nearly put myself in. I want to preserve the drawing and keep it as mint as possible, so I got the best everything I could...I don't know if you kids knew this or not, but the best is expensive. Hopefully its worth it, I'm sure it will be, but I won't get it back until the 4th. Fuck I can't wait to see it, I picked out this sweet 4 something inch frame...

After I was done with my ass raping at Art Mart, I figured I'd drown my sorrows in some Huevos Rancheros at El Scorcho. And muy bueno discussiono on my part. mmm... And for those of you in STL, the expansion is now complete. What's better than the expansion being done you ask...well, its the little known fact that the waitress who is normally pissed at the world, actually smiled and joked with us rather than secretly wishing we'd die while sitting at her table. I think the unprovoked happiness is directly correlated to the amount of sunlight the expansion is letting in. She is actually a very pleasant girl...who knew.

Sunday I went for an hour or so ride through the city. I would have liked to have stayed out longer, but I was getting annoyed as all hell after constantly being forces into the slush and yelled at by a multitude of asshole drivers...still a good ride though.

And super fun...my mom has a sweet old as fuck Schwinn yellow 10 speed that I just remembered the other day is sitting in my parents barn back home, so I asked her if I could take the frame for a new to me fixie....after a few minutes of pleading, she obliged. So...hopefully I can coax a buddy of mine into helping me build that out in the Spring. Thanks in advance buddy of mine.

TAKE BACK THE HIGH FIVE

I don't think the sports community truly appreciates high fives as much as they should...being the sole keepers now a days. And not personally being in that community, I am a little upset at the fact that not only am I missing out on the small celebratory moments, but it is almost socially awkward to high five outside of sports in a public atmosphere.

No, I don't want to high five over sports...thats retarded, especially if you're not even at the game and in a bar somewhere...you didn't do anything, and either did your buddy...the dumbass players did. And thats exactly my point...the sports community is misusing the high five.

I want to high five because I got the best bag of oranges at the grocery store, or because I saw a midget, or because I unlocked my car...or how about that time I got the jar of pickles open with my sweaty hands, now thats a worthy accomplishment.

A few videos for inspiration...now take back what is yours.

GENE SIMMONS SEX TAPE...FREE STREAMING VIDEO

Welcome to the age of DIY career makeovers...

Highlights worthy of note:
-"I wanna know what love is" playing in the background
- Flipflops in bed
- Fucking with pants on
- Gene chewing what appears to be gum (maybe some sort of chewable viagra?) while the energy drink slut is riding him
- Gene's skinny ween

[STREAM IT HERE]

SHIT, I MADE TWO OF 'EM...SO WHAT

Well I'll be dipped in shit if them there motherfuckin kids ain't gettin smarter and smarter...

16 year-old Marco Facciola built this completely wooden bike for a school project, managing to avoid using any metal at all. Yes...this wooden wheeled wonder even has a chain and gearing made of wood, held together with wooden joints and glue. The detail in the free-wheeling ratchet and spacers between the chain links, pinned with tiny dowels, is amazing. Marco had to complete this as a non-academic project for his International Baccalaureate, and inspiration came from his grandfather, forced to make wooden wheels for his bike during the war due to rubber shortages.

Now Marco...hear me out...so I've got this super cool flaming bike jump lined up, and all I need...is to borrow your shit...No, no, no...I need yours, I don't think mine will burn right...and I kinda think yours would get more air...just sayin...don't be a dick, its not like I won't give it back.

I NEED SOME NEW DVDS

Any suggestions from you wondermous people of the world wide web?

I pre ordered The Darjeeling Limited & Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, but I'm needy and can't wait that long, so I need something thats out now. Weirder usually is better.

I think the 93 inches of ice, with the 10 feet of snow that will soon top it have got me in a movie mode...granted I won't have anything new by the time the ice melts, but regardless, I need new movies.

HORRORPOPS AT POPS

Yep, I just realized they're coming this Sunday...

HorrorPops
Sunday, February 24
8:00P
Pop’s Small Room

[HORROR POPS on MICE PACE]

Best described as "pop punk." I haven't actually seen them live, but I hear their stage presence is nothing to scoff at. Should be a good show.

JOYS OF LIVING IN THE CITY

Nope...today I wasn't awoken by a high speed car chase with 20 or so cops ending in a shoot out. Today I was up earlier than usual to hear & see the serene sounds & sights of a helicopter, ambulances, cops and tow rigs.

"...Five St. Louis students were sent to the hospital with minor injuries following a school bus crash...

Fire officials say the driver of the car fell asleep and hit the bus so hard that the bus spun around. The dirver of that car has a broken leg and possibly a head injury. He was taken to a local hospital as well. No word on his condition.

The driver of the bus has minor injuries, but is also being taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

St. Louis school officials say the students were on their way to a work study session. Five students attend Nottingham Special Needs School. The spokesperson said another student on the bus attends Gateway High School..."

HOLY SOUL FOOD

Sweetie Pie's is fucking Sweetie Awesome. Went to lunch at Sweetie Pie's in the Mangrove today, just down the street from Atomic Cowboy at Tower Grove & Manchester. Awesome food and huge portions. For something like $8 and change, I got a shit pile of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy and cornbread. They obviously have other options and the menu switches daily...Definitely will be putting it on the regular lunch rotation, despite there being no greens.

Saw they had a breakfast menu as well, which I am willing to bet is one of, if not the best breakfast in the city.

BOOKS & BODIES

Last night I finally finished reading No Country For Old Men, though I've been sitting on only 30 or so pages for a week now. Very good, definitely would recommend it. Now I'm onto Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants...I don't even really know what its about, but I do know it has something to do with the circus and its been suggested that I'd like it, so why not...I like things...especially when those things are circus freaks.



Tonight I'm headed to the Body Worlds Exhibit to draw. The Science Center is having its second Artist Night with Body Worlds. 7:00 - 9:00. $12. Opportunity to draw live nudes posing next to and around the plastinates.

THE SOUND OF COLOR

Very cool experiment.



[Sound of Color]

GROW YOUR OWN BIKE?

"...Apart from being cheap and homegrown, bamboo has apparently also proven to be far more light-weight and shock-absorbent than many high performance frames..."

[Bamboo Bike Project]

PRESIDENT'S DAY

Since 1968, it is celebrated on the third Monday in February.

Possibly one of the most useless holidays. That is unless you either (a) get the day off or (2) use this day as an excuse to Abe Lincoln that someone special...so far I'm on the useless boat, but there is always the chance of meeting a desperate hooker in the alley on my way home.

THE ADVERTS MP3

A little UK love from the late 70s. From their Cast of Thousands LP, The Adverts....[Cast of Thousands].

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

[Interesting link]...kinda makes you think a bit about how truly shitty the Western diet as a whole really is.

DON'T CALL ME DARLIN' DARLIN'

Dear every female waitress (within ten years of my age or younger than myself) that consistently calls me "honey," "hun," and/or "sweetie,"

Knock it the fuck off. Do you think you're my girlfriend? Are you my mother? Maybe, you're my grandmother or a long lost aunt?

No?

Oh...you're not?

Alright then, fuck you.

Stop addressing your customers as "honey," "hun," and/or "sweetie." It's one of the most fucking ridiculous things that I encounter on a day-to-day basis, and it needs to stop. It doesn't make you sound "nice" or "mature," it doesn't make me want to reach in my meager pockets to tip you more...it doesn't give me a false implication that you want to fuck me...it does, however, make you sound like a bitch that's about to get scissor-kicked in your face...

7 SHOT SHOW OF SCREAMING LOVERS

Tonight...tonight a good time will be had by all.

3rd Floor Gallery, Show of Love, 7:00-11:00, 1214 Washington

City Celebration, STL is 244 years old, 8:30-1:00...7 Shot Screamers are playing at the City Museum

So...there's stuff to do...do it.

OBAMA EBAY DISAPPOINTMENT

Anyone else stay up last night trying to buy a HOPE print from OBEY, designed by Shepard Fairy? Yep...me too. I had a sneaking suspicion they would release the 600 at 11:59...I was wrong...across all the US time zones no less. Anyone know if and when they did get released?

In case you don't know what I'm talking about...below is a post from obeygiant.com.

And feel free to search out some of the sellers on ebay and berate the fuck heads...

"Everyone here at OBEY is very disappointed in those who chose to auction their Obama posters, especially their STREET PASTERS on EBAY. A great deal of effort was made by our small crew to get as many posters as possible out on the streets to support the OBAMA campaign before the Primaries. Despite the EBAY screenprint auctions, we decided to basically give away OBAMA posters to people all over the country to help bring awareness. It looks like we were naive in believing that people would be true and do what they actually said they would do. All those that received these street pasters knew that they were not to be auctioned on EBAY or sold anywhere else. Its extremely discouraging when we intentionally make Shep’s art obtainable and affordable for all and in turn are exploited and taken advantage of by GREEDY people. We put 100% of the poster proceeds back into the Obama campaign.

Unfortunately, from here on out we will have to be more cautious in how we conduct our business and with whom. We are still actively checking EBAY for auctions and taking aggressive action against those that continue to take advantage. We stand by what we believe and say and are proud of our mission to keep OBEY accessible to all. A new offset Obama print is going for sale to generate additional revenue to pay for posters for more markets yet to hold primaries. Also, we’d like to make the Obama image accessible at reasonable prices. Don’t reward the ebay vultures!

So on Thursday we are going to be releasing 600, 24×36, signed and numbered HOPE offsets on thick stock at a random time..."

SHOW OF LOVE

Show of Love.

Opens February 15 in the 3rd Floor Gallery, continues through March 29. Should be a good show. I've got a piece in it, so go look at it. If you don't like it...fuck you.

COUNTY OR BUST

This morning I got a call from my brother at 6:45. Immediately I figured something was wrong, so I took the call like the dumb motherfucker that I am, and now I have to watch his dog for the next 5 days. Being a dog person, it normally wouldn't be of any trouble, especially since I have a dog. Unfortunately for me and the world, this dog of his is an untrained bastard of a Doberman, which means...there is not a chance in hell this demon fucker is going to stay at my place for 5 days. So I'll be unwillingly uprooted from my downtown haven and cold kickin it in the county this week.

On the up side, I discovered last night that I share my place with a ghost that is trying to drown me (I'm not crazy, I'm serious), so at least I'll have a chance to get away from that paranormal cockface.

RANDOM THINGS FROM THE WEEKEND

So back from Chicago...luckily, I left before it got frigid. It was an overall good trip. I know people bitch constantly about airport security, but fuck its really getting out of control. In O'Hare on my way back to STL, there was a point I was pretty sure I was going to get some sort of citation after getting yelled at by the rent-a-cops, for "unsafe actions..." directly correlating to their stupidity. Nothing came of it, but it was retarded on their part.

Saturday night, I went to see the guy 2 floors above me's band at Lemmons...I forget their name, but they're good and the pizza was delicious.

Friday, I got the confirmation that my piece was accepted into The Show of Love at the 3rd Floor Gallery, so I'll post information on that soon since the show is this Friday.

Sunday, I went to a Cracker Barrel for the first time in who knows how long...interesting to say the least. I figured out that apparently I am a horrible judge of age since I'd say the hostesses were no older than 12 and I think you have to be 16 to get a job...Chicken Fried Steak is awesome.

Over the course of the weekend, I managed to read 200 or so pages of No Country for Old Men, which took some getting use to the style of writing, but I'm really digging it. Cormac McCarthy doesn't use quotation marks or apostrophies, and he writes in runon sentences with 53 ands in them. Can't wait for the DVD to come out so I can see it...I'm just not a fan of going out to theaters for an unknown reason, but I love me some DVDs...

CHI TOWN

Headed to Chicago tomorrow. Enjoy the weekend kids.

YEAH HOORAY

I think I should be receiving my Daniel Johnston drawing today...I just checked the status of it and was delighted to read the following:

"Your item was processed and left our HAZELWOOD, MO 63042 facility on February 5, 2008. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later."

Yeah, I know...super exciting. Only thing not super exciting is the fact that now I just have to pay an ass load to frame it correctly... vacuum-sealed, UV protected, etc. But, fuck it...one of Daniel's crazy ass renderings will soon grace my walls.

UNSPOKEN

This is the piece I'll be submitting for the Art Dimension's 3rd Floor Gallery juried exhibition February 15 called The Show of Love. Its a pen & ink on illustration board.

Cross your fingers it gets accepted.

CROCS LOOK LIKE SHIT AND THEY MAKE YOUR FEET SMELL

When I see people wearing Crocs especially in the middle of fucking winter, I know immediately that we have nothing in common... and that we could never be friends or have any meaningful kind of relationship. They come in every color imaginable yet look bad with every other article of clothing ever created. The only thing that goes with Crocs is social ostracism.

To their credit though, Crocs serve as an excellent idiot barometer; you can tell a lot about people wearing them...

When it comes to shoes, there are usually three deciding factors: quality, price, and style. Some shoes are cheap and stylish, but poor quality, while others are stylish and durable, but expensive. Crocs usually go for $30-$60, which doesn't sound like much for a shoe, until you consider that what you're really paying for are melted pellets squirted into a cast-iron mold in some province in China. Crocs have the rare combination of being expensive, poor quality, and ugly. It's quite a feat for one shoe to suck this bad.

People who wear Crocs go on and on about how comfortable they are, and how it's supposedly odor resistant because it's made out of some kind of anti-bacterial foam. Great point, dipshits! You know what else it's resistant to? You getting laid. Then as if the shoes weren't disgusting enough, Crocs introduced a product called "Crocs butter" that's supposed to restore that illustrious injection-molded sheen to those gaping holes they call shoes.

LONG WEEKEND

Wow...I surprisingly feel good today, despite the 982 beers I had this weekend. 982...I counted...but then again, I'm not very good at math to begin with.

Friday night was getting all of the out of town troops rounded up and in one place.

Saturday was STL Mardi Gras...where apparently, the majority of the folks in my group wore shoes and boots with butter on the bottom of them...because there were a lot of hilarious falls...and the kiddos without butter shoes, wore their hot shoes...because all they wanted to do is dance with strangers. I think the best I've got to tell from Mardi Gras would be one of my buddies falling inside of a porta-potty while doubling up on the pisser to save time in line...oh, and smashing his face off of the side of it and pissing on his hands. And snowball fights with random other assholes. And lots of other little small delights of drunkenness stemming from 7:45am.

Sunday...Superbowl...I'm not a football fan, so whatever...but the chili and dips were good, and I can appreciate the fact that it was a good game. Commercials...commercials were a let down. But I will say the Tide Pen spot took the cake in my book...

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

There is a lot of snow in the Lou this morning.

If any yall kids are headed down to Mardi Gras tomorrow, Tin Can Downtown is opening up at 8 in the morning to serve breakfast. They'll also have Bloody Mary and Mimosa specials. And if that's not enough, they're running a free shuttle to and from ground zero....pretty tits, I know.