4th Annual Boise Zombie Walk

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

This was my fourth time to walk amongst Boise's undead. There were about 100 zombies in attendance this year, most of which turned the Zombie Walk into a spooky marathon of sorts. The course was undefined, and the leaders of the pack were the most nimble zombies I've ever come across.

We all had a great time! Kudos to Levi Johnson - this year's Zombie Walk coordinator; he did a stellar job!

Above are photos of our perspective of the Zombie Walk, it was too dark to take photos with my iPhone, so this is what Jenny and I were able to shoot.

You'll see two "Tea Bagger" zombies, that's Whitney and Wendy - one "Organic Farmer" zombie, played by Seth, Jenny as a sexy librarian zombie, myself as "Sister Underwood" aka Mormon Zombie, and a random photo of the Hello Kitty who joined the Zombie Walk.

Zsa Zsa shows us how to do it

Workout videos from the eighties crack me up! I love them! From the hilarious remake Drew Barrymore did on SNL, to the FABULOUS Richard Simmons.

These clips are always comic action packed - I get a pretty great laughter workout, I must say.

This is one from Zsa Zsa Gabor, her line of workout videos was called "It's Simple Darling" - and with Francois and Mike, why shouldn't it be simple, darlings?

Neon Graveyard

Lushing out at the Las Vegas "Neon Graveyard" off Fremont Street. Vegas is strange. The casinos get bigger and bigger, yet the memories of yesterday are the biggest part of Vegas. There is very little historical preservation in this city. The city pushes for megaplexes and corporate development, leveling anything in the way. The sand hasn't covered all of the history, but soon - money will.

1978 TOMY Fashion Plates

I used to play with this toy at my grandma's house in the early 80s. I doubt she still has it, but I think Im going to keep a keen eye out for one on my thrift or antique store-capades.

I love the 70s-80s fashion and hair styles that this toy celebrates - these plates would be great for many an art project or just for fun & nostalgia when friends come over!

If I find a set, I'll post sketched designs!

Cupcake Collective to benefit TrICA! 8-15-09

Click on the image for more info about Cupcake Collective!

Real world MadMen Advertising

These 1960s commercial clips are not from the television series MadMen, although I'm certain that men in Modern advertising had something to do with them!

BABY BABY BABY

D & D

D & D - What the nerdy me once thought stood simply for Dungeons and Dragons takes on a completely different meaning in Elko Nevada's "Red Light" District.

For another perspective of the trouble one can get into in Elko, please read Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Elko" - an article written for Rolling Stone magazine in 1992 (although Gonzo's story has very little to do with Elko, much other than some whiskey and a shotgun).

Mormon Crickets Are The REAL Terrorists!

Mormon Crickets: the sight of these little bastards is nearly as bothersome as the name. Turns out they are actually katydids, not crickets. As seen in this photo taken from my car, they often travel in swarms. Swarms so large (100 crickets per square meter) that when squished between car tires and road they can make a vehicle slide. That's right, hydroplaning from bug guts.

Another unpleasant fact about Mormon Crickets is that swarming is caused by cannibalistic behavior. They have to keep moving forward from getting bitten from behind. The infestation of swarming Mormon Crickets is chemically controlled in populated areas, or areas with crops. This photo was taken in the Owyhee Mountain Range of Northern Nevada, a desolate but beautiful area.

The title "Mormon Cricket" was given to the pests in the 19th century. Pioneering Mormons were said to have been saved by the seagulls that ate the insects that were known to destroy their crops causing famine. The seagulls migrated from California to the desert area of Utah to feast on the crickets, and thus the California Seagull is Utah's state bird.

Like their namesake, Mormon Crickets are reported to dislike hard rock music. According to farmers and townsfolk dealing with Mormon Cricket infestation, the insects are deterred by loud hard rock music playing from stereo systems and boom boxes. Seems to me that Mountain City, Nevada should consider some Twisted Sister.

I love SCANWICHES!

Seriously, one of the greatest blogs of all time!

scanwiches.com

Weirdness

Where do I begin? The hair? The long jackets? The limo? The "Kevin Spacey's brother?" ... I'm writing about Boise local Randy Fowler. If you live in Boise, or spend anytime in Idaho's capitol city... you've probably seen or heard about Randy, aka Rod Stewart. Here is what I can tell you about him:

• Rod Stewart impersonator
  
• Limousine Company proprietor, www.rodslimos.com
• Kevin Spacey's (aka Kevin Fowler) brother
• Professional drummer
• Author

Randy reported to Sunday Mirror.co.uk that his estranged brother is indeed Kevin Spacey. Randy also told The Mirror many of Spacey's "secrets" would be revealed in his up and coming book (although this article was posted in 2004, and it appears the book has not yet been written), and calls his movie star brother a "lying weirdo."

For more information on this Boise gem, here is a link to Randy's website: randybfowler.com

The Information Machine, 1958

I found this gem on my new favorite website, Archive.org - wish I had known about this while in college!

thoughts on summertime

i remember cramming into the cruddy non-air conditioned family car & road tripping to national forests & peaking in strangers cars. i always wished we'd go to disneyland or the beach, like everyone else. but now i appreciate that we didn't; that i saw the land. i'll never forget driving cross country in the '79 camaro, hot and sticky, with my smelly little brother who always crossed over his half of the back seat. i was familiar with the stereotypical parental arm flailing around from the front seat to grab whichever seed was making it a long trip.

CupCakeCamp to Benefit TrICA

I am very excited to announce that the borrowed "Cup Cake Camp" concept (originally of Ariel Waldman and team in San Francisco: cupcakecamp.org) is resurfacing in Boise Idaho to benefit TrICA (Treasure Valley Institue for Children's Arts, www.tricarts.org).

Boise's creative company of cupcake coordinators have been working on ideas to incorporate CupCakeCamp to benefit cupcake lovers and TrICA. Boise will celebrate it's first ever Cup Cake Camp and Cup Cake Collective on August 15th 2009, 11-2pm at The Linen Building.

Everyone (individuals, families, businesses, and organizations) will be welcomed to submit cupcakes to the Cup Cake Collective, and everyone is invited to eat the tasty treats, and submit a vote for their favorite cupcake! Cup Cake Collective will feature cupcakes to be judged and eaten, an awards ceremony, live music, performances and fun!

Cup Cake Camp is a children’s culinary art class focused on the baking and decorating of cupcakes. Kitchen etiquette and safety will also be taught. A local celebrity chef will head each class with an assistant. Cup Cake Campers will have the opportunity to include their cupcake creations at Cup Cake Collective (a cup cake celebration and contest among Boise’s cup cake comrades). Cup Cake Camp will be held in three sessions (approximately 15 students per class) according to age on August 14th 2009. Cup Cake Collective is scheduled for the following day.

Call to Artists! The Mend Project

The Mend Project, a Boise based arts and crafts non-profit organization has put out a call to artists for their newest project. Spectacled is a fundraiser for The Mend Project at The VAC March 5th and 6th, 2009. An $8 donation is requested at the door, or $5 with donation of used eyeglasses. Proceeds fund The Mend Project, and eyeglasses donations will help those in need through Unite for Sight.

More information can be found by following the image link below.