The Moldy Doily

home sweet weird

I am starting to get used to the daily routine here.  I wake up and drink an iced coffee, I look at pretty cactus plants and watch wild animals scurry past my yard.  I have started to take long walks and generally end up catching a nap midday.I have been listening to my old records again, and checking out some of my old books.  It's like a perpetual vacation mode that takes a little bit of getting used too.  I find my brain trying to multitask things, attempting to organize things.  Something about these long peaceful days that my brain is still unable to process. I want to finish setting up my art space and supplies and get down to creative business.  These past 8 months I struggled to find alone time to make things.  Inspiration is everywhere out here! Every day here is sort of like a Twin Peaks episode. There are cowboys, quilters, psychedelic artisans, mysterious drifters. So far I like all of them.  I see interesting things all day that make me wonder why these other folks have dropped out of society and decided to make a nest here?  I find myself having more genuine conversations, and am often fascinated by the locals handiwork. Some of my favorite things I have discovered within 5 minutes of my home are:

this guy created a crystal castle- sort of a volcanic molten home with glass peep windows to view clusters and caverns of crystals and rocks

The day before Cynthia and I ventured into Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs...

Gypsyland had all kinds of treasures

saw this cool Picasso like sculpture in Palm Springs. 

we drank sangria and ate giant hamburgers and checked out lots of little shops

earlier in the day it actually SNOWED up at our house!  so amazing!

when I wandered down the path and saw this enormous purple ape I asked "what's up with this?" and a local simply said "they just got it today and their filling it up with air"  Ooops, my bad. I should have known grape apes are totally norm out here.

Weird and then Weirder

I must admit that my time away from the moldy doily has been hectic!  Not only have I been constantly working (sometimes even on my weekends) but a few crazy things have happened as well.  For one:  my friend who lives in Ithaca NY discovered that I have an ART STALKER/Thief!  It was the strangest thing, some 39 woman who lives in Ithaca, NY named Angela Strawberry Curls decided to post paintings of mine on her facebook and her blog and pretend that SHE made them.  I almost couldn't believe it, but then my pal sent me the links and indeed this girl Strawberry Curls had posted over 20 drawings and paintings of mine where she took credit for creating them.  Included in this odd finding were paintings I have sold to friends, my Flaunt magazine cover art, even the Show Pony closing flyer!  Totally strange and obviously recognizable.  She even stole some that I sold on etsy and have the receipt of selling and sending.  The creepiest part was that she would elaborate on her page about her inspiration making them, use the same titles and mention how she indeed made this one "just this week!"  I have some of the paintings here on my blog where I am actually standing in front of them painting them myself.  Worse than all that, she then reprinted some of my paintings on paper and exhibited them in an art show in Ithaca at some coffee shop called Kitschen Sink.  She had some of them hanging amongst her own things.  The actual flyer to the show was my art work: she had taken this flyer from show pony and painted over the text and then used my moldy doily post category "things that inspired desire" as the show title!

 I can't imagine her own friends and family believed that all of a sudden she switched from ceramic tiles to possessing a huge body of work: MINE.  Years and years of my hard work stolen in an instant and claimed by someone else.  I will admit the night my friend sent over the links to this girl my heart went racing and my hands started shaking.  I was terrified and confused.  Wondering if she was some delusional person.  I had hoped she was a teenager and perhaps got carried away with my identity and liked that people were commenting on her pages, but when I discovered she was 39 I nearly fainted.  She had not innocently make a few postings, but countless times took credit for my paintings and even made references to why she has been into this new subject matter, the lolita syndrome etc...

 I have friends who screen captured all of her sites and since this will now be a legal matter I have given them to my lawyer. She has since made access to her facebook site private and has deleted her blog but continues to do art shows  in Ithaca, NY as  Angela Strawberry Curls.  She supposedly has one tonight at Ithacamade. Her own mother wrote me back and said that I must be "confused" and that her daughter didn't claim my work but was merely inspired by it, but trust me I have the screen captured pages as proof that she did.  

Here is her version from the  flyer: she titled it SWOON

 
 The screen capture in it's entirety (with my lawyer) has a bunch of comments under this painting of mine where she talks in detail of her inspiration for making this, as and when people exclaim that they love this one did she paint this. she responds Si Si lovelies I indeed did.  (I made this one in 2006 and currently hanging in my friend's home)  

Since all of this has gone down combined with my long hours at work I have had some stressful weeks...resulting in stomach bleeding, migraines and eventually dehydrated collapse last Saturday.  I couldn't stop throwing up and my husband found me on the floor almost unable to breathe.  Weirdly my arms went completely numb and he ended up calling 911.  So an ambulance ride later and an I.V. and cat scan and some rest and I was sent home before nightfall. Still trying to figure it all out!  I am feeling better this week and have missed posting on here and missing all of my creative friends I have met through this blog adventure.

XOXOXO

Hesher and Crazy Girl

Halloween has always been my favorite Holiday.  I suppose it has something to do with my birthday falling days before...or the fact that I love the smell of Fall, colorful leaves, pumpkins, ghosts, creepy movies, costumes, makeup- shall I go on?

I spent most of my child hood birthdays attending haunted houses, with groups of screaming  girls being dragged by my father through dark halls of chainsaw wielding madmen.  There is something about dressing up in all the clothes and wigs and accessories (like capes and such)that you can't wear all the time, and going out in public that makes me happy. It's funny how all that weird stuff is a uniform I'd wear everyday.

The best Halloween costumes are the ones you find in the kitchen (notice shark pot holder) and add a hesher heavy metal wig and DONE!  I opted for putting on every single one of my bracelets and applying all of the shades of Urban Decay eye shadow in my arsenal. Add some weird tropical jumper, striped tights and magenta platform boots- and you are WEIRDO freak from another planet

My friend Billie dressed up as a guy, well actually a creepy Chong type deadhead.  She was so good that no one noticed her at Chango Cafe.

 

 

 

we decided to hit up the local grocery store for snacks and steaks.  We bought some candy to play Monopoly with.  Wow, big night of gambling Reeses.  People were a little fearful of us in the aisles

 

 

 

Remaining elusive

Ok, so there is no free time in my world at the moment.

I am weary in the limbs and have been working like a mad woman.  My poor kitties have become bitter and upset by my late hours and lack of care.  Largent actually sat on top of my big duffel bag purse and peed in it!  That was after an 18 hour work day trapped in traffic.

Bummer.

But the work itself is exciting and as soon as I can post more info I will!

I also wanted to post the birthday pics from my man mr. H's photo cake I helped create.

Super cool huh?

Mr. H has a fascination with "Bigfoot".  Let's just say that he is Sasquatch expert and knows that a diet of berries and fish is ideal.

Since this birthday night- I have been working almost non-stop on a new t.v. show. It's gonna be a fun filled hustle but as soon as things settle down a bit I will post more

XO

April Fool

Woke up April Fools morning to a rent increase shoved under my apt door.  The street is spelled wrong, the numbers are added wrong, and I kept thinking...wow what a good prank a landlord can do.

Unfortunately it wasn't a prank.  Then I noticed Georgie had thrown up bright orange stuff in his food in the kitchen and was slumped listless in the corner. I noticed that the orange flowers I had in a vase were long gone but that the pollen residue was still on the floor by his dish. I googled the flower and saw this article.

So pretty much it states that Lily flowers are the most deadly to cats, and the number one cause of toxic deaths.  Then it says you have approx 6 hours to save your pet.

No pressure?

So even though rent is due and your store needs to be vacated, you must race to the vet with your favorite friend.

$420 dollars later and it seems that G-boy is on the mend and road to recovery.  Oh did I mention the other kicker...he said that he thought he was older than earlier predicted!  What!!  less years with my man?

Geez.

On the plus side- just found out that 90210 aired one of my shirts on SILVER as she was having a nervous breakdown.  RAD, and she may be wearing it a lot. 

and my friend Linlee told me that she noticed a cool Kate moss style.com link that had some of my art.  Check it out here

To see the whole drawing scroll through the images til number 13!

I thought that it would be funny to play a prank on Mr. H- by telling him I just received some good news and some bad news.  He was like, what?  just read it.  And I just left my computer open with this email on the screen:

-----Original Message----- >From: Sonja Child <[email protected]> >Sent: Mar 31, 2009 8:30 PM >To: Kime <[email protected]> >Subject: LONDON >So, I know this is last minute but we are wondering if you are available to spend the month of May in London doing an artist exchange? I know it's short notice but we can pay for your passport to be rushed if you do not have one. This is a great opportunity and you will be put up in a great space where other artists have studios. There are some super cute guy artists staying in the same loft! We will also be helping cover costs while traveling. You will be coming back the first week of June. The exact dates are still up in the air but a little over 4 weeks. Let's get together and discuss this asap, we are excited since you have so many fans there!! How is 1pm on Friday? I can come to you. Any yummy nearby suggestions? My treat! > >-- >Sonja Child/ ART dealer/ Prints

(his reaction was pretty priceless, silence. After I told him later it was april fools he said, "Man I kept thinking how bored I was gonna be"

On the funny revenge side: mr. H. sent me this April Fools Email: (I should set this up by saying I lease a car that I always feel is one step away from repo)

To: Ms. Kime Buzzelli
From: Honda Credit LCI San Antonio, Tx. division
Re: Credit cancellation and possession of loan liquidity 

Honda Credit LCI is hereby informing the signer of lease regarding Honda Fit (Serial Number CA343899) of credit cancellation and repossession in effect immediately post last payment cancellation.  In effect immediately, April 5th, 2009, to be returned to any california dealership non-ACC acting and fully licensed enterprise.  Debt including 967.93 in lost payments and failure to respond to federal exhibitary inquiry.  If arrangements have been made cancelling and prior please disregard message.

Sincerely,
Diane McCormick
LCI, Honda Credit
San Antonio Texas

Hope you folks didn't get too had yesterday.

I also watched a marathon of Scared Tactics for the first time.  That show is hilarious!

Hope it never comes to this...

Georgie Boy has not come out of hiding since he saw me checking this out.  My friends cynthia and Sarah suggested I get the charlie chaplin bottom for georgie.  

spooky

On our way home from visiting Viv at U.C.L.A. hospital (she had her healthy baby BOY!) Cynthia and I drove down Sunset into the land of STAR MAPS and rich people shopping on Rodeo Drive.

We passed this creepy cobblestone house on a hill decked out for Halloween.

A white picket Ghost fence and stuffed scarecrows everywhere.  We definitely trespassed a little to get close to the good stuff.  As the sun was setting the hanging ghosts with shredded bottoms were really pretty. 

Don't forget they are screening CARRIE in the cemetery here in L.A. on sat. Oct 25th! YAY!

That's gonna be SPOOKY.  

just call be nancy drew

geez! is this melodramatic or what?

Right before I was about to go to bed, I got this email:

Your horoscope for October 9, 2008

Your emotions may be wildly confused and clouded today, kime. People may seem to be rubbing you the wrong way and you may get the feeling that you are all alone in the world. Keep in mind however that you are extremely sensitive and are capable of picking up things that other people simply aren't aware of. You cut through the masks and see right to the core of every issue. Go easy on yourself and give yourself credit for being the most passionate detective there is.

it's all in my mind

Today is the start of my new and fruitful life. Oh, let me explain: I am gonna be a mover and a shaker. I'm gonna get busy making my apt minimal. I'm gonna pare down the flair and make room for someone else to come visit. You don't know how "out of hand" it's gonna be. Were are talking clean bare floors and white walls folks. I'm gonna experiment with feng sui for reals. Don't worry, I am not gonna get too creepy clean. Creative people can't really get too neat, trust me. Look for later posts this week on etsy and ebay- let the unloading begin

my first real earthquake!

As I was sitting here posting that last blog, I felt my bed slightly sway.  Sometimes when Georgie is scratching himself or playing it moves like that, but it got stronger and then I noticed my t.v. almost falling off it's stand, and then heard something glass fall in the kitchen.  Georgie Boy came bolting in the room with a look of panic.  I was trying to hold my mirror and my t.v. at the same time.  The news says it was a 5.6 magnitude.  Being on the 4th floor of a 1920's building makes me pretty optimistic, my room sways when a big truck goes down the block.  Definitely a wake-up call to secure the valuables and get rid of more knick knacks.  Nothing worse than being killed by a creepy owl or glass knick knack huh?

It's strange cause Cynthia, Fran and I were just talking about earthquakes last night- the power of thought.

My heart is still racing.  I'm gonna get a QUAKE kit together for the future.  The rolling feeling leaves a certain hummmmm in your torso.

Better get busy.

seeking spotless mind

I am unable to sleep. Have you ever managed to cry yourself to sleep somehow only to wake up at 5 a.m. by the dreaded thought, "yesterday was real". It wasn't a dream, it all really happened. The days and nights seem longer than I remembered. I'm exhausted. There is always a way out. I just haven't figured it all out yet. Hope you find some fun this 4th of July. Did I mention it's raining this 4th of July in Ohio? At least something is constant

take up less space, burst into a rainbow

I saw this on myloveforyou.typepad.com and thought it was perfectly funny. The puffy font illustration is by artist andreas banderas.

I know I've been mysteriously falling a bit behind in my normal posts, but I promise to deliver the ultimate creative goods when this all falls into magical place.

The stars have said this for me today:

Your Horoscope for MARCH 05, 2008

You should feel as though your energy has returned home, kime. Many times, if you aren't feeling one hundred percent yourself, you will refuse to even leave your house. Today is one of those days in which you should feel one thousand per cent, and you are ready to take on the world. Your emotions are in line with your actions, and things should be crystal clear for you at this time. You know the route you want to take, and the path is clear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I mean, it can't get more straightforward than that?

I feel myself on the verge of a style change. I am not quite sure what. I purchased two fantastically hideous hats yesterday. One that looks like someone made it in the 80's and one that is over the top 70's with multiple ludicrous feathers. I will update you further on these poor purchases.

Wouldn't it just be easier if we all just wore the same thing? Like these white smocks and slips from that one photo shoot? Just kidding. I would probably explode and burst into a rainbow.

things are getting weird in Echo Park...

and it's not even near Halloween yet.

First I saw a white ghost Ninja run down Echo Park Ave, then I witnessed a giant spider web on my friends back porch, and the strangest moment was while driving with my man to a birthday party...he morphed into a blood thirty vampire and tore into my flesh.

Leaving me rabid and on the prowl

be very very afraid

LOST and Found

Earlier today I saw this news article on MSNBC-
________________________________________________
Man’s wallet found in theater after 43 years
‘It brings back good memories,’ 70-year-old says
_________________________________________________
it gave me hope that the multitude of weird things I've lost over the years may someday find there way home to me.
(like my fourth grade denim wallet with $40 Xmas money that I lost while my mother was forcing me to try on hideous BUSTER BROWN saddle shoes at the mall)

This picture is circa that age when my awesome denim pocket wallet went missing- man, wish my sister still rocked the Dorothy Hamill haircut

I've often told people that when I die, ( before I see the light at the end of the tunnel), I'd like to see all of the answers to al of the mysteries first. for example- 1.) you die 2. ) You see who killed Marilyn Monroe, JFK,RFK, Nicole Brown Simpson (oh, we already know the answer to that one) and then I also see the exact moment where I left something on the chair- someone snagged my purse- who borrowed my favorite records- books and never fessed up...you get the picture
3.) Then you see the light (it might take awhile in my case- cause lord knows I've lost a lot of stuff and I have a lot of Nancy Drew mysteries to solve.

EL CENTRO, Calif. - A California man who lost his wallet more than 40 years ago finally got it back when construction workers renovating a movie theater discovered the billfold Friday jammed between the metal casings of a radiator.

"I remember losing it," 70-year-old Epigmenio Sanchez told the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. "I just don't remember where."

Between the folds of crumbling brown leather were fragments of his past: a few family photos, old pay stubs and a couple of department store charge cards he had not seen in more than 40 years. His birth certificate, which Sanchez carried when he went to Mexico to prove he was a U.S. citizen, also was there.

He said he wasn't sure if he had any money in his wallet that day- and that he used to go the movie theatre to get away from the kids with his wife...and was just happy for the memories.

Dance off

One thing about me- I have absolutely no rhythm whatsoever. I never understood keeping time in music- and made a laughing stock of my family during my 8th grade talent show dance (we did Thriller). In fact I still don't even have the skills to snap my fingers. During that Xmas song "up on the rooftops click click click..." I pretended to rub my fingers together. So it should come as no surprise that my dance style has evolved to seizure muppet spaz. That way it is not so evident that I have no idea how to step on beat. You just jump around like a bonkers puppet and they are so distracted they don't notice the timing. One time at a party a stranger pulled me aside and said "it's remarkable that you are dancing completely off beat" I replied "are you from American Bandstand?"

I decided to upload these videos- to

A.) Demonstrate Mr. P's super BAR Mitzvah 7th Grade Dance style- proof that white Jewish boys have mad moves. White man's overbite never looked so cute

B.) Show my muppet- peanuts style feet- and my eventual downfall

Should've been a beat poet

It's hard to believe it when you look at this picture. I mean, if anyone asked the identity of the birthday boy hidden on the right of this psychedelic photo- the responses may be a 60's singer...? A famous groovy actor? Maybe a beat poet? Um, no. This happy colored image contains the infamous bad guy Osama bin Laden. Today is his 50th birthday. Imagine if he would've turned out to be a peaceful folk singer or an artist instead.

WOW ONE YEAR !!

Can you believe it? It's been one year today that I started this BLOG. Coming from a girl who has no idea how to keep up with anything productive- that's impressive.

I have never figured out how people take vitamins everyday, exercise, or drink enough water. It's impossible for me. And I've quit most things as soon as my mind wanders...so let's celebrate my triumph! Some days I've written more than one post... I have the ARCHIVES as my proof. In honor of my dedication please choose a random week from the way back archives and write me a comment- as proof that you read something. Pop Quiz. LEt me know my blogging has not been in vain, and tell me which blog entry was your favorite. Indulge me, ok.

Let's reflect on the good ol days...

Just in time for the Holidays!

Although none of my readers were compelled to add a comment to the DOll blog-- this new release of the Mr.P edited video clip should stir some replies. This was recorded at a DOLL Estate Sale recently- and the soundtrack is by Jason Batchko-

Welcome to the Dollhouse

WOW. Miss Cindy called today and said grab your camera and get over to this estate sale pronto. Of course I listened and was blown away. Upon entering the 60's style home--mounds and mounds of dolls piled four feet high on tables were visible. Imagine waist high Pope dolls in glass cases- 60's display dolls, flamenco fanned beauties, creepy cabbage patch kids trapped in plastic. These dolls were seriously everywhere the eye could roam. Down the hallways and into the back dusty bedroom- more more more dolls awaited. Little shelves practically collapsing from the armies of Napoleans and Indians and Dancers. Witnessing this alarming scene- was disturbing yet morbidly intoxicating, like no one would believe the immense clutter without proof. This made my mother's Xmas ornament/decoration collection look timid.

Even Shirley Temple was there-- at least 3 X over. Decked in her favorite lollipop gear. There were even glass cases with all the Beatles- Princess Di and Charles... Mother Teresa, Moses...
did I mention the Unsnatchable Kids?
Oh yeah...they encourage calling 911 and just saying no to strangers

The video does the tour better justice. Yes, there is a video.
And proof that even rock stars like to score a collectable space shuttle cabbage patch doll.

The owner of the dolls and house said that she was merely moving and would like to keep all of them...then she added that this was only a quarter of her collection.
whoa
Check out the Loot I scored there-- all for $3 dollars each or less!! WOW

Psychedelic to the Next Level

Just found the most bizarre thing on Ebay. Yikes what will crafty people think of next?
Sometimes hippies amaze me and then sometimes they freak me out.

SET of Three PAISLEY Psychedelic PADS

Turned and topstiched for durability.
Made out of 100% cotton flannel with a hidden layer of PUL to keep them waterproof.
These pads are for a normal flow, but will last overnight.
3 proffesional snaps applied for adjustability.
All fabric prewashed to minimize shrinkage

Pre-soak/rinse to avoid staining. Wash in warm with like colors. Line dry or or machine dry.

Measurements

Width 2.5 - 3" Length 12"

Fright Night

This will go down as the most lazy Halloween on record. Besides spending about 2 hours taking pictures of clothes I plan to sell on E-bay, I didn't accomplish a thing. G.P. called to let me know he had witnessed the most adorable kids in Halloween costumes- and that he needed to run out for a minute. I drove over to find a note on the door that said "Trick or Treaters --Be Back in 10 minutes. I took over his candy post and ran into some polite ghouls and army soldiers. Around 8:40 the kids stopped coming by, so I went inside and planned on scaring G.P in the dimly lit living room. I heard the creeeeky gate open and then someone enter the hallway. He peered over the top window in the door and then I heard him whisper something. Next thing I see is a group of killers race into the room with knives drawn toward me. They were accompanied by a sweet french maid. She dusted the tops of the table before she took Michael Myers and crew away.

That G.P. had better watch his back this week. I will get back at him...

Cowboys and Sissy

Seems whenever I have a million things on my mind, and a lot of reponsibilities -I go and do something crazy like attend a PRO-Rodeo. That's right... I said Rodeo. You haven't seen anything til you've witnessed a show horse do a dance and prance around as if in Cabaret. Mr. P decided to combine Spanish hustler with brokeback mountain--

this was the only thing Western I could come up with... kind of Manson Family revival

I.D. had the Western award for best Rodeo get-up. She put all of us posers to shame

here's the smallest member of the best rodeo family around. He can lasso just about anything and make a horse spin in circles for days

check out the bull rider busting out of the gate--We saw some serious body stomping

Mr. P really enjoyed Too Tall and his little pony act

Danny chose kettle corn and roasted corn over the funnel cake stand-(-that's hard to resist folks)

this is what happens when you see an overabundance of suede bedazzled fringe and leather-

I got this close to the leg of Miss Rodeo California- She was giving Dolly a run for the money

Mr P. was filled with a jealous rage--mostly because all the real Cowboys looked so grand in their stay press slacks and huge belt buckles. They could see right through his sissy leather vest. After the Rodeo we stayed and attended the country dance. Those bucking bronco cowboys have groupies. Serious David Lee Roth style groupies. Mr. P. attempted to learn a little line dance. This was met with much laughter.

Ouch

Remember what I was saying about being "lucky"? Well I spoke too soon. Last week I gashed my left hand open on a clothing rack while cleaning the Show Pony, and tonight the right was paid a little justice. I was cleaning a cocktail glass when it shattered and a huge piece tore open my flesh. In the few seconds right before a giant flap of your flesh opens to reveal pain, you are actually shocked. Everything occurs in slow motion. You see the wound open, blood so red it seems fake hit the sink and then 5 whole seconds pass before you scream. You scream, not because it hurts yet but because you ought to feel pain. As I ran down the hall blood trailing in giant drops, down my legs- and onto my shoes...I thought perhaps stiches were in order. I've never had stitches but this was looking deep. Blood falling everywhere, down the sink, onto the bathroom floor. Then your heart starts beating someplace inside the wound and you fear you may never paint again. Anyway, a few cocktails later and a rag upon it has made me less careful. I just wanted to mention the luck has run out.
after the bleeding stopped I decided to take these:
GP thought I was retarded for regretting I didn't document the bloody floor.

my tolerance for hydrogen peroxide and or Bactine in an open cut has not diminished since the days of skinned knees as a kid, that shit burns

Nancy Drew And the Mystery Spaces

I moved over to this neighborhood in 1999. At that point half of the Delmore building was boarded up like a Ghost town and the other side was occupied by a few galleries. At the very end you could find El Batey Market, a place where neighborhood kids scored candy and mothers could put it on their tab. In the seven years I've lived and worked in this building I have had the pleasure of seeing El Batey owner Evalia almost every day. She has shared her amazing enchiladas, saved packages for me and given me lovely Xmas gifts. In return I've styled her for a fab Flapper party & given her fun surprises.
This corner that Chango coffee House now shares with Evalia was once known as Chicken Corner. Chicken Corner was named after an Aaron Donovan mural that showed a bunch of crazy chickens. Bulging eyed chickens, one of them in leather, multicolored, painted and occasionally tagged and otherwise assaulted. (At one point someone tossed about a quart of tan paint over it and at least one of the chickens disappeared forever.) The mural was titled, “Moron.” When the Chango coffee house opened in 2004, its owners blasted out the mural in order to create a window on the side of the building. Pieces of it are mounted inside the coffee house in a sort of mosaic homage-slash-apology to the people who wanted the mural to stay. The day that Aaron moved out of his art space Delirium Tremens, he gave me all the pre-sketches of the Chicken Corner mural. I was honored.

Ok- so this leads me to the mysterious discovery today...

My neighbor came up the stairs today with an ancient embossed floral leather belt that seems salvaged from the Shakespeare era. I gasped as she revealed her husband found it at the hidden junk shop behing El Batey and Chango spaces. WHAT!?
How could a thrifty junk shop not be sniffed out by me and my pals?
We've lived and worked here a few years shy of a decade and no one ever mentioned the tiny antique space tucked behind my home? What will we discover next, an amusement park under the building attatched to a bowling alley? Hidden tunnels to the lotus flowers? I asked Evalia today about it and she simply said, "ah yes, my brother in law once owned the place for 15-20 years and he passed a year and half ago and his son is cleaning it out." Sometimes you have to really explore.
Speaking of mysterious spaces here in Echo Park- what is with that enigma glass box across the street from the Delmore?
Well rumor has it that the young girl who lives there told a source that her uncle builds fences and doors and created this front yard piece as a display of his craftmanship. Hmmm. I had hoped it was a time machine or an elaborate aviary.

4 a.m. Muscle ache

I have a new found respect for those flea market sellers. Participating in a Rose Bowl is like moving down 4 flights of stairs into a new apartment 10 times over. I've never done this much lifting. The realization that I merely skimmed the surface of my clutter and still filled a moving van was a bummer. How did I end up with all these clothes? Surely I have not spent every waking hour shopping- right? What gives. Cynthia and I could barely climb out of bed and ended up eating donuts and coffee just to entice motivation. Of course the surge of energy that comes when your very first Japanese vintage PRO picks through your crap is pure bliss. I mean who knew that it was still dark at 5 a.m.? Those guys from Japan not only have carts but headgear with lights on top. And boy do they start training them young. By age 3 they already rock the bellbottom levis and collectable Hawaiian tops and know what Big E Jeans are.

Cindy figured she would try for the Mark Kate Olsen selling look- the teen girls love that

You must admit this looks pretty damn appealing considering most of it was junk junk junk

This was our happy selling neighbor- trying on Cindy's hippie gear

this guy in the background had the best vest on--every inch a patch-

I met a cool Indian Chief who said this dog of his was on myspace and was friends with the actress who played Pochohontas. hmmm

Joaquin came by with his latest record scores. Check out this two dollar dream- TABOO 2 record

this one will fetch you at least fifty-

speaking of VOODOO hair and heebie jeebies-- this Monkey FUR coat that Cindy was selling freaked everyone out. They were banned sometime around the 30's and worn by all the rockstars- I guess no one wanted to be Brian Jones or Planet of the Apes

You would've thought that they were passing out MOD psychedelic flower boxes to girls at the ROSE BOWL for free- seemed every cool girl under 16 was hugging one .
Check out Emma fresh from her recent summer school stint in NYC

this girl had a groovy mom and sisters all PROS in the vintage department

These are from Emma's poloroids:

There seemed to be a lot of fab redheads representing "pale" and sassy

I was relieved to find someone with a more pathetic collection of junk than mine

This fashion "Don't" reminded me of that one ...comedian....what's his name?

oh yeah his name is Bruce Vilanch-

I ended up buying this Picasso blue period picture on my way to use the bathroom. Don't ask

cindy showed sheer willpower after noticing that a vendor dumped his Raggedy collection into the trash sure she could have taken them home but she put them back in the trash for someone else

was a shame seeing them all huddled there beneath that creepy robot

this is what the end of a Rose Bowl day looks shoved back into your store

What would you do for $4?

This guy with the lil girl tights and half shirt did a nice fashion pose/ sashay for four whole dollars.
Can you top this?

Tears +TeePee & Lost Oscar

I woke up today with the best intentions. Somehow I ended up getting lost downtown crying in my car that kept stalling around every corner, and then pulled over my a cop on a motorcycle. In light of the recent events (car accident--damage fees being $3000- stress) I started sobbing in front of him. I've always heard of other damsels in distress doing this. I really had no control over the tears- and could hardly look him in the eye as he gave me a ticket for turning right on red. If I had cleavage perhaps that would have worked to my advantage. I went to ladies night (Friday this week ) and sat with my ladies and discussed our weird Mercury in retrograde behaviors. (Miss Cindy has suffered countless ankle and foot injuries this week as well as a head wound.) As Viv and I walked up the massive hill to the car we passed this sad little oscar doll behind bars.

Right as the sun was almost gone we noticed this amazing Tee Pee house with handpainted eagles in someones empty yard. This is where I need to go for my next breakdown.

Viv and I were noticing all the lazy kitties in the neighborhood lingering on window sills trying to catch a breeze.
I like the Echo Park summers...the Lotus Fair starts today-
Come and see me at the ROSE BOWL tommorrow- it's my first time selling there!!

Magic Men & Mini Music on Ice

Sometimes I forget how funny and fabulous my life is. I am guilty of wandering around oblivious to the excitement. Yesterday the humidity made me miserable and lazy- and I locked myself out of the house. I was hungry and weary when Cynthia called and invited me to a Jameson Whiskey party. I started to decline and then heard the "free" food part.
So ten minutes later I was at the ECHO- eating eggplant tacos and drinking Jameson and Ginger-ale.
Did I forget to mention the nude dancers painted as Jameson bottles doing handstands and splits?

They were a hard act to beat---until of course MINI KISS took the stage and busted out the fake blood and guitar solos.
The evening was topped off by the Unholy Three --magic men- and a performance by Mickey Avalon.
I never knew that Magic had groupies until last night. The ladies were begging for more.
The elf in tights was carrying a loaded Whiskey Shot-Gun-...we all ended up trying it, even Miss S.

When I looked at these pictures later, I realized that even my Mondays are pretty interesting. I better start appreciating these moments...how often does someone offer you an evening of free whiskey drinks, naked lady dancers, a midget KISS cover band, and magic acts featuring a former member of the PIXIES?

Iccarus

The entire block has gone mad- for a bird named Iccarus. Lucky for us, David at WORK has been taking his girlfriends feathered pet along for the day. While he is sewing --we all take turns having this darling pet nibble at our jewelry and coo sweet nothings into our ears. Very charming and friendly, Iccarus is toilet trained and enjoys neck rubs. The experience has left all of us pondering a trip to the pet store.

sugar and spice

Who ever said little girls were made of sugar and spice may have had the wrong recipe. Not that I'm saying the whole batch of little girls are bad. It's just that maybe some of them were made from something rotten or spoiled. I know I've been feeling sick lately, and my defenses are down but what gives? At the post office today I noticed an adorable 3 1/2 year old girl (her mother told me her age). Just as I was processing how cute she was, she turned to an older Mexican woman and repeated over and over "why is she so short mommy, she's short, she's a kid a kid she's a kid a kid a kid." The mom replied "don't point, everyone comes in different sizes" At which point she jabbered on with a tourettes syndrome tongue about all kinds of things to customers. She realized she has put her finger on the attention trigger and raised her voice louder and circled the room. I smiled, while the mother pleaded with her " Please stop talking you're going to drive me crazy, remember those books you wanted, you can't get them if you don't behave."
At this point the little girl turned with a smirk and slowly circled her mother saying " Oh you poor books I'll miss you- I miss you already poor books, miss you miss you books", knowing in her 3 year old mind she would still get those books anyway. At this point in the line I saw the desperation of two other mothers with little girls also begging and whining. Man, at what point do you just cave to the demands of your kids just so they will be quiet for 15 minutes?
I returned home and found myself sick on the floor watching two hours of MTV. For those of you without cable that means MY SUPER SWEET 16 all day all night. This is a show where young girls on the verge of 16 and a porn career have a huge party that cost more then most of us make in four years. The girls beg their daddy for cars and always get the top of the line sometimes even two- followed by a few helicopter rides, airplanes to Vegas for dresses that cost $5000- $15,000 dollars. The parties usually involve at least three costume changes, venues that cost $50 thousand to rent for the night, an MP3 player invite, and some famous musical perfomer. All the while the girl talks about how everyone is gonna remember this moment and her above all else. Why watch-you may ask? it's almost hard to turn away, like a car crash. You are drawn to the ridiculous demands of these spoiled girls- and more amazed when they get their way. I keep hearing veruca "I want the world, I wan't the whole world..." from willy wonka.
I remember for my sweet 16 my dad surprised me by renting the town's City Hall Rec Center. It was actually considered really uncool, but I acted like it was awesome. And when the D.J. he rented played Celebrate Good Times and WE are Family, I laughed and danced with my friends and felt so guilty that he spent $100 bucks on the cake and the D.J. I still have the pictures of my friends confused faces- and eventually we bribed the D.J. to play some music from the car instead.

I actually love the new commercial for Cingular cell phones for teens ... they play horror music with vampire zombie like kids who demand cell phones or else. They come at you like the kid in the ring and promise they won't go over their minutes. The cute nerd girl from FREAKS and GEEKS is in it. She seems made of sugar.

Tears in my blog

I always said the last thing I wanted to have on my blog--was complaining and tearful confessions. Well folks I have failed you. I'm not sure why my face has been stuck in the sad position...perhaps it was the legal letter telling me my joyful tribute blog had to be taken down, or the screaming mother with road rage yelling two inches from my face...or the student loan people withdrawing $300 from my account without my approval. Regardless-- I had a full on Boogie Nights crying in the car scene- moment.
Lucky for me Greg knows how to cheer up a girl: Chocolate Egg Creme
We also discovered a store with the name I always wanted to name my last store...GARAGE SALE!
That's right- no bullshit in the title- just honest to goodness crap you don't need. My store in Cinti/OHIO was called the Blue Piano and it had the same goods...even the EVIL Knievel Lunchbox and old Atari games. The store register says it all...wooden Fisher Price classic. You can find it next to my lil healthy food spot on Hyperion.

This sign really sums it all up...
And then to top off my great day--someone plays a seriously cruel prank on me.

Yes that says TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED NINETY THREE dollars!
I mean what jerk gets off sending a poor struggling artist a check like this? I mean it looks so real I can almost see the money thrown up in the air on a hotel bed

Why did the chicken...

Why did the chicken run down Echo Park Ave? Cause the EAGLE and the fake cop were chasing him of course. Before the big art opening at Show Pony--we all witnessed an interesting Plushie scene.

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Carolina always says I'm like the Paparazzi- yet she someone managed to dodge my lens at her own art show. I was only able to snap her a few times.
The evening started with Gaby bringing amazing flowers and an awesome blender. Britt was in Margarita heaven.

The snacks were sad, chips chips and more chips. But Andreas didn't mind.
Carolina's ART SHOW brought in some amazing friends and a good time. Here is the lovely artist (on the right) and here are some images of her pieces--

these guys are by far cutest couple of the night

this was vinca with her "lion lion" as she likes to calls him. She has discovered that you can see the picture in the camera after you've taken it- and now always says- "Can I see Can I see me?"

Oh yeah- I forgot to mention the Zombie that crashed the art opening. He was really scary.
I wasn't sure why he was a zombie or why he showed up with moldy rotten flesh.

The party ended around midnight or so when the adorable and funny Jennifer Coolidge from Legally Blonde came by to support the jewelry craft of Laura Kranitz. The party then ended up at El Compadre-

Dog for the day

I grew up with huge dogs. My dad obviously was an insecure man and thought the bigger the guard dog the better status on the block. We had an Irish Wolfhound (the absolute largest of the canine) Then a French Briard (sheepdog) Both were male pets and slightly wimpy, but lovable pets. As I've grown up I have not had the urge to replace my pets- or get a dog. Until my encounter with Mr. Molecules yesterday. First off... the FACE
I mean what person wouldn't want to stare at that face all day? Then the scientific name MOLECULES? Greg and I pretended we had a fancy dog like molecules. I showed him off on the block.

molecules and starman hanging out on the couch together

Feels like a Monday: Tax season blues

There is nothing worse then being wrong. Well maybe acting stupid and jealous with a layer of mope. Anyway I discovered that when I don't listen to my "ORganizing for the Creative Person" book- and combine a night on the town with no discipline- I become a miserable fool. That is all I'm gonna say about that. The worst person you can ever disappoint is yourself. You may think- Damn why did I do that? Why did I say those things? Why didn't I finish that? Why did I wait so long to do this? Eventually you realize it's cause you felt powerless to something stronger then you. Which is -Controlling your own desire and destiny. I need to give myself a hug- then lets all move foward for my group hug. This rambling makes little sense. But the lesson is- Don't be dumb -just get your work done.
this is exactly how I feel.

too much time

It's good to know that I'm not the only one with too much time on my hands.
If you want someone to tell you the time in a creative way... CHECK out humanclock.com.
You can contribute your own time to the cause too! Hey- it is raining here in L.A. what else do you have going on? Oddly enough I was just driving on the freeway and Hazy Shade of Winter came on, "Time--time...time...see what's become of me."

This message offers weird news -- "tomorrow at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.

That won't ever happen again in our lifetime...

Super Slow Friday

This isn't pretty...but curiously good. Ever since I was a kid I loved discovering snails on rainy days. Tonight upon leaving the apartment-I was pleasantly greeted by 7+ slow friends. I decided that since I am staying in alone this Friday evening I should investigate what it may take to start my very own HAPPY SNAIL FARM.
I mean what is the deal with those slippery suckers?
The FACTS:
1. They have only one foot and move my having muscular contractions--like waves
2. They can even crawl upside down!
3. They are mostly noctural and conduct most of their active business at night
4. They are called Gastropods meaning: Belly Footed Animal
5. there bodies produce a thick slime which allows them to crawl across a razor and not get hurt
6. They are hermaphrodites--having both sexual organs
7. LArgest ever snail was 15 inches long and weighed 2lbs.
8. National Escargot day is MAY 24th (don't partake)
9 They cannot hear-and have poor eyesight -so must rely on touch and smell for food

This snail is either riding the dog poo or a slice of charred beef?
I've decided to create a Happy Snail farm - a nice resort getaway for the slime families...if you too would love a snail farm here's all you need:

An aquarium or large jar with a mesh wire lid or a plastic lid with holes in it.

dirt

plants

rocks

a few snails

lettuce

Mind Games

While driving the other day, I was listening to This American Life. They were discussing this group of people who go around N.Y.C. pulling "pranks" on people. The stunts are not cruel like some Ashton Kutcher PUNK'D crap, but kind of funny comments on society- and reactions. I've always loved this kind of thing, and received my minor in Folklore at O.S.U. (I once took a class called "How To BE a Professional Thief") Anyway...These folks go out and perform elaborate pranks that don't hurt anyone-
My favorite was in reaction to the repetetive nature of any STARBUCKS . The performers decided to each repeat some "looped" action until bystanders and employees would take notice. For example:
One couple would get into a fight in line- til she ran out and he would call after her and chase her down. while at the same time someone like clockwork would spill water, another person would walk to the window for better phone reception and a guy with a boom box would walk in one door and out the other playing "shiny Happy people". This all repeated in a loop for about 12 cycles until someone finally began to conduct what would occur next. Some witnesses started saying things like "I'd break up with her". Here is the explanation for this particular stunt:

“There is the theory of the moebius. A twist in the fabric of space where time becomes a loop, from which there is no escape. When we reach that point, whatever happened will happen again.”
-Lieutenant Commander Worf, Star Trek: TNG, “Time Squared”

On Saturday, March 22, 2003 Improv Everywhere agents created a living moebius strip in the Astor Place Starbucks. Seven undercover agents meticulously repeated a five-minute slice of time for twelve consecutive repetitions. Starbucks employees and patrons were frightened, confused, and ultimately entertained as they found themselves stuck, without escape, in the middle of a time loop.
I also liked this Aspen Snow Cone sale...and meet a black person

This is their web site- I think I'd like to partake in the Pantsless subway events.
They are called Improv Everywhere
www.improveeverywhere.com
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Why do you do this?
"Improv Everywhere is, at its core, about having fun. We're big believers in "organized fun". In the process we bring excitement to otherwise unexciting locales and give strangers a story they can tell for the rest of their lives. We're out to prove that a prank doesn't have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone smile. "

Bad Day Uniform

I was wondering what the inspiration was behind the designing of this outfit? Was this created to detract all interaction with people, or as a safeguard for the elements? This is the perfect ensemble for the antisocial girl- who has had enough of the small talk.

DEADBEAT

I was always fascinated as a kid by death. Not really the "dead" part but the story behind the person while they had been alive. I wondered who they were while living- I wrote one of my first papers in school on Anne Frank, because I was obsessed with her story- who she was and her untimely death. In middle school I checked out many books on Marilyn Monroe and began my research of her life and death. I made my first persuasive speech in freshman English class on the conspiracy theory that she was murdered. When my boxes of books arrived from Ohio recently (storage) I was surprised by how many books about James Dean and Marilyn Monroe there were. I am still curious whenever someone passes away and check the obits on occasion to see what interesting people have left the world.
I was delighted today to hear on the radio that someone else shares my creepy love of scouring the obits: Marilyn Johnson -the author of -Deadbeat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries.
As an avid Obituary fan, Johnson touches on bizarre coincidances like the death of Paul Winchell-the voice of Tigger a day apart from John Fiedler who was the voice of Piglet. Even more eerie is the death of Thomas Jefferson on the same day as John Adams within hours of eachother on July 4th, 1826. The fact that is was also the 50 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing makes an even better story. She also talks about the scientist who isolated the vitamin A dying on the same day as the scientist who isolated the vitamin K. Hmmm.
I liked hearing about the task of an obituary writer, the pressure of capturing the everyday spirit of that person. One Obit writer said that he questions everyone who knew that person before writing one- and insists that "there aren't boring people, just boring questions." Some people have obits already written and ready to go go.

Thinking about all of this made me wonder how much time would I have til I expire...and so I googled my own death date and came up with www.deathclock.com.
This is an internet site that offers a friendly reminder that life is slipping away. Morbid but true.

From this site you can also check out the greatest trivia surrounding celebrity deaths at
www.findadeath.com.

Dorothy Stratten- murdered Playboy playmate only 20 years old.

Also covered is the mystery surrounding Brian Jones death...and other controversial stories
I discovered that the late actor Jon Erik Hexum (killed himself by accidently pulling the trigger on a gun with blanks) was dating the actress E.G. Daily (Valley Girl and Better Off Dead/ Pee Wees Big Adventure) at the time of his death at 27 years old! Strange facts I really don't need to know indeed.

The following images are from my highschool book boxes

The Show Pony has a few little tributes to the late River Phoenix...the R.I.P River buttons- and handpainted purse.

This was one my favorite poems in high school written by Richard Brautigan

DEATH IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR PARKED ONLY

For Emmett

Death is a beautiful car parked only
to be stolen on a street lined with trees
whose branches are like the intestines
of an emerald.

You hotwire death, get in, and drive away
like a flag made from a thousand burning
funeral parlors.

You have stolen death because you’re bored.
There’s nothing good playing at the movies
in San Francisco.

You joyride around for a while listening
to the radio, and then abandon death, walk
away, and leave death for the police
to find.

If Mondays get you down...

CHEEER your sweet self up with a dose of Dream Pets... Nothing turns a frown upside down like a posse of dream pets. Are you surprised they are made in Japan?





Have you had enough? Good. They sort of make me feel the same way

goldie

the best head