notld 90: night 3

So last night I did what was probably the hardest part of my diorama.
I sculpted the Bolo Tie Zombie.

I was dreading it becuase in my design he is the most detailed, copmletely free-standing and the key part of the die-o-rama.
Without the Zombie, it’s not horror!
So I started with scuplting his torso and then adding wire to stregthen his form.I knew it was important to get the right arch of his back, his pigeon-toed zombie stem-the outstretched arms and clawing finger, the blank cadaverous stare…
Wow, I’m really getting into that description.
So I had to get all that down,and the only way to do that was to take my time, take it slow and think think think!

 

But ultimately he came out as well as i wanted. all the details are there.
I did not realize I forgot to make the cross flower arrangement protruding from his left shoulder, so I’ll have to do that and glue it on later.
No problem. Now that the figures are done, the hardest part is over.

I am a bit bummed becuase I don’t get to make the Autopsy zombie. He doesn’t come in until later, and the box I am using isn’t big enough to accomodate him.
That’s kay, though- less work for me!

what’s left?

tombstones ( sculpt or cardboard…)
ground ( grass,dirt…)
diorama walls (i have a great plan for this but am so excited- I don’t want to disclose it until it’s done!)
Placement, anchoring and

PHOTOS!

I have nine days.

notld 90 die-o-rama- night 2.

As I predicted, I didn’t get to work last night.
Didn’t get home from coaching soccer practice ’til 7:30. I made some dinner, watched a bit of TV, made some peach cobbler, ate too much peach cobbler while watching The Colony, and then bombed at about 11. 
yesterday morning I did a bit of painting, but due to my paint color and selection (and the fact that at 6 am I didn’t want to throw myself into the project) I only got a little bit done.
Little bit being Johnny’s hair and pants. Not even worth photographing.
Hopefully tonight I will get a good amount done.

So what is Left?

Sculpt Bolo Zombie.
Paint all three.
Make/paint tombstones.
Make background.
Make ground/grass.
Photograph.

ALL before the end of next week.

So…
I am stressing a little bit.

But hey, I’m having fun too!

NOTLD ‘90 Die-O-Rama: Night One.

So As soon as I got home, I got to cracking. I had a small bit of frustration trying to figure out how to make the figures work.  My puppet-making brain said I needed armature wire, while my doll-making brain said I needed to just sculpt limbs and punch holes for lacing. But as I was doing FIGURES,  I couldn’t really rely on either.

Ultimately, I went with a relief-style sculpture with the base being my table so that I could avoid all the pitfalls of sculpting in the round and trying to properly support the figures. I built the basic bodies first, then clothed them, and finally added details like buttons, pockets and hair.

I spent almost an hour watching the scene I was planning on scluplting to make notes of clothing styles, colors and scenery. I was totally sure I had it memorized- did you know Johnny wore driving gloves? I knew!-  but the color of Barbara’s skirt was driving me insane. Was it Khaki or plaid?!  Spending time with the movie helped me nail down all sorts of minute details I wasn’t aware of.

I also found the perfect box.

Anyway- the figures.

Made of sculpey, I fired them in the oven for 15 minutes and they were done. They’re going to either get painted tonight or tomorrow. I also didn’t have time to make the Zombie so I have to do that too.

I sculpted Johnny first since I had his look pretty nailed down and I didn’t have to worry about supporting his weight. I hadn’t quite researched the movie deep enough so I wound up laying him on his stomach instead of on his back. But at the most integral point- the fall- he is on his stomach so that works out I think. I plan on making his glassses out of wire so they aren’t there.

I did Barbara second, since I had to nail expression, body pose and her clothes are a bit more complicated. Other than the fact that her costume is fucking hideous- seriously, who wears that crap?- it was fun and a bit of a challenge. As for Barbie’s glasses, she loses them almost immediately so I’ve decided -like Johnny’s- to just make them of wire and let them lay on the ground.

So that’s day one. I have my niece’s soccer team to assistant coach tonight, so I’ll cross my fingers that I get to work on it some more.

X- Entertainment’s Halloween Die-o-Rama!

So- Matt at X-E has decided to do a Halloween contest.

 A Shoebox Halloween Die-o-rama.

Having gotten back into arting recently, and no major projects in sight, I am crazy amped to participate.
I also really, REALLY want that Living Dead doll.
I used to have a mini one in a bunny costume, and I think they’re the right combination of cute and creepy- just like me!

As I said over at X-E, I have come up with a sweet idea and I can’t wait to do it.
I also said I would disclose what it was.
And I will.

Night of the Living Dead.
And as I recently watched it, I’m going with the 1990 version- The one directed by Tom Savini and featuring Otis and the Candyman.

I totally love when wimpy pre-butch Barbara skewers that zombie with the cross flower arrangement, and the autopsy zombie is a total mind-fuck. Considering I can barely stay awake for the original, seeing this one makes it easier for me to grasp the story.

My plan is to go with sculpey figures to make it as detail-oriented as possible. They could also double as cake toppers in the future- totally awesome, zombie-themed cake toppers.
Either cardboard or foam tombstones.
I need to make some trees; I may just take some off the bushes in the backyard.
I’d prefer to actually purchase them but money is CRAZY-TIGHT this week so I’m going to have to make-do with the supplies around the house.
That actually makes me nervous.

So I think I will go with the figures first.
That’s going to be both the toughest and the most fun part.
The construction of the scene could wind up being tedious, but I don’t think it will get me down.
I can actually see it coming together in my head and I can’t wait to get started.

I’ll take pictures, okay? Swear up an’ down.

Matt’s not ded!

So.

After my blog post yesterday… I was all like…
well, let’s see what I can dredge over at X-E.
Last time I was there I got really bummed out.

And good lordy lord!
Teh Matt is alive- and he’s blogging like a fiend!

So I take it back. I wubs yoo and yer seasonal giddiness!

Like I have just begin saying recently ( not to anyone in particular, just in my head…)
I am a pessimist, but I like to be proven wrong.

bonk.

So, lets revive this thing.
Im pretty down today and need to talk to someone- why not this?

It’s coming to the christmas season at my job and I’ve been working quite hard- trying to devote myself to my job in an effort to make sure it’s secure. As I watch people around me lose their homes and their jobs, struggle with bills and drown in debt, I have thrown myself into my job and my extracurricuar activities in an attempt to keep my mind off of… well, not impending doom, but that feeling that just around teh corner is teh Darkness that could change your entire damn world. If I’m to busy to see it, then it’s not there, right?
That’s a pretty morbid way to think about it, but as of late… it starts to become more true than ever.

In the past month Rudy got a new Motorcycle. it’s a harley this time around and he’s just in love with the thing. His first vehicle was a motorcycle and it’s been two years since he’s had his own. Earlier this year he was just falling apart about not having one. He borrowed one for a day in july and damn if it just made it worse. So we saved up some money, searched for the right bike, and he’s on two wheels again and I don’t think I’ve seen him any happier.

So I have been busy with dog training classes -Cash failed his CGC again last night, and I’m really bummed about that.
I tried so hard, but there always seems to be something that goes wrong, and Cash botches it.
I mean- He is an awesome dog, but I just want the world to know it.
Doubly so becuase of his breed.
But that’s alright. He can pass, I just need to work more.
my CGC class teacher is really devoted to getting him to pass and I know she will help me work along with it.

Anyway! I’m also kinda bummed that matt is dead.
Well, he’s not REALLY dead- but honestly, how do we know or not?
Its coming to be the most imporant season of the year and we haven’t seen hair or hide of matt in months.
I think it’s gotten all the X-E’ers down.
all of us blogging x-ers have kind of felt the pinch.
And while we’re all plugging along as best we can, we are hurting a bit too.

Anyway, kick out the downer stuff.
It’s turning to fall… which means my thoughts are turning to HALLOWEEN!
Have to thank the Deej for the soon-to-be-in-mah-belly candy corn soda- I’m so psyched.
Love getting stuff in the mail.
Even bills.

Did y’all know I was almost a postal worker?
Passed the test and everything.
The only reason I couldn’t was because the posotion was for a rural route driver and I need two years of driving under my belt…
only had one.
sad panda.
One of these days I’m gonna try again.
Y’know, when the USPS stops hemmoraging money.

Getting back into Mail Art. Really excited about that. just the idea that I’m arting again is totally cool I’m painting and sculpting and mailing stuff- it’s totally fun and I just love it. I’ve been too stifled for too long and I think Work had to do with it.

Weird how this blog post came full circle.

 Anyway. work to do. see ya in a few.

another Phone Photo Post.

I feel so left out not showing off my camera phone pix. While when I got my phone it was really important that I have one- I rarely use it. However, when I do need it, it’s so sweet that it’s right there. Besides, me writing shit down? WITH MY HANDWRITING? Shit. Just take a pic.

So a lot of these photos are ancient. That’s cool, right?

Anyway- off we go!

This one… uhm. Yeah, looks like exactly what it is. Me taking a pic of the store hours of a place we simply can’t seem to get the hours right on. Every time we go, the damn place is closed. It’s actually a pretty neat picture- the mirrored tinting makes for an interesting composition.

Ohman. Uhm. I had to go to a Motivation Seminar. There were some interesting moments, and it was a day out of the office, but everything else was lame. Even my lunch was lackadaisical (I love that word). So yah. I doodled. A picture of Cash, asking for more turkey necks. He likes turkey necks.

Rudy gave his brothers Raiders tickets for Christmas. They went and tailgated for three hours before the game. His younger brother took this picture of him. I really quite like it. And uhm… yeah, that flag hangs in front of our house, seriously. It makes it look like I live with a houseful of goddamn pirates. Well, cause I do. Anyway.

This one- wow. That is old. Okay. Back when I worked at BevMo, we were working Christmas eve, and it was dead slow. My assistant manager is a prankster, and to play a joke on our receiver, he stacked all the empty kegs in front of the receiving door. And… well, it kinda grew. There’s a lot of crap there- lots of empty kegs, keg buckets, packing peanuts and we somehow wound up with a bunch of tinsel. It was probably the best day of work EVER. And then I walked out after closing to find my tires were slashed.

When a moment comes up like this, you can’t pass it up. Edgar- Rudy’s cousin, and my honorary brother- is a mechanic. He got a contract with the Sheriff’s department to work on their cars… and somehow, a Santa Cruz County Sheriff lost his driver’s side door.

And this last one… We pass by a full-scale Stonehenge replica every time we drive to Washington State. This last time we drove, we stopped and finally checked it out. Simply awe-inspiring. There also seems to be a monument erected to Sam Hill there…

There ay go kidlets. Hope the stories were interesting, enjoy das piccies!

Lucha Libre!

So!

Last Saturday I went to my first ever Lucha Libre Mexicana match. And from the amount of fun I had, it will not be my last. The language barrier wasn’t an issue- my rudimentary knowledge of the language, combined with my boyfriend/translator made it really easy to understand. While I show you pictures, I figured I would tell you guys things that I was told while I watched that made it easy for me to understand.

 

El Rayo De Jalisco!

 Lucha Libre Is Entertainment.

First and foremost- The luchadores seek to amuse you. Whether that is with silly antics or high-flying off the top ropes, or even as far as spending time to sign autographs and gladhanding the fans- that’s what they’ll do, and they’ll do it with a smile.

There’s no denying that they are athletic. But they recognize that what they do is NOT a sport- its entertainment. And people love it- Fully grown spectators were dressed up like their favorite wrestlers, right next to their kids. And The Luchadores feed off the crowd too. They find what the crowd wants, and cater to them. It’s like improv combined with ridiculous costumes and fighting.

Cassandro- a cross-dressing Luchador... and really good!

Matches are Best 2 of 3.

Called “Mexican Rules”, the winner is the winner of the majority of three matches. That way, everyone wrestling gets a chance in the limelight, a chance to pin and win or lose and be pinned. It really seems to help you identify with the characters, too. It’s also tag team- it’s rare when wrestlers go one-on-one.

Blue Demon Jr. ! Used to be a Rudo... now A Technico (good guy!)

 

You always know who the bad guys are.

The Bad guys in Lucha Libre are called Rudos or singularly, a Rudo. They always introduce the Rudos second, and you’re supposed to hate them. They cheat, they scheme, and they tend to be cowardly and not as physically impressive. It’s great fun to hate on someone like that- when you know who you’re supposed to dislike it makes it easy.

El Rayo and Partner celebrate the removal of Opponent's mascaras.

 

Losing your Mascara is akin to death.

Your mask is your identity in Lucha Libre. Not everyone wears masks, though. But if you do… YOU DO. That mask is who you are. When you are in public, you wear your mask. Whether it is doing laundry or going to get dinner at a fine restaurant- you are your persona, and you wear your mask. Sometimes people will threaten to take your mask- and you fight it with all your might. And when that mask is lost, that mask can never be worn again. Not by you, not by anyone. And you can never wear any mask again. So losing your mask means either you wrestle without a mask for the rest of your days- forever shamed for losing your mask- or you retire.

El Ultimo Tigre Poses for Pictures after his Match.

 

There is very little security.

Maybe it was just our event, but it seemed that the crowd could walk up to their favorite stars and take pictures and get autographs. They could crowd the wrestlers as they go to and from the stage. It made it very intimate. The wrestlers also interacted with the crowds- stealing their beers, heckling them back, and throwing each other into the seats. It was hilarious.

So I recommend, if you ever get the chance- go!

It’s so worth it. And because it’s mostly physical, there’s not much of a need to understand what’s being said.

At the end of Old Mine Loop.

 

So, like I said, I went camping this past weekend. It was a little damper than I prefer, making Camp generally a bit less comfortable than I would have liked. But I didn’t complain. Go me!

Our big event of the weekend was our Hike trip. I was ambitious and selected a relatively long and challenging hike. It was a 4-mile hike that rises in elevation almost 600 feet in the first 1.5 miles.

The highlight of the hike was at our turnaround point. There was a small hike that was the furthest away from our entry point called the Old Mine Loop. Mines, huh? Sounds promising, right? The long hike combined with a looping old trail piqued my curiosity. So that was our goal of the whole crazy hike. To do the Old Mine loop and maybe see an old mine.

We were pretty bummed when we reached the end of the Old mine Loop. No mine. No rest spot, no ANYTHING. Not even a decent view. So we were ready to give up on our fruitless hike when I saw a patch of gray out in a valley beyond the barbed wire fence that was the boundary of the park. A bit of head bobbing and nosing about revealed it was a LAKE!

We consulted the map.

The map said it was “Land Not Open To The Public.”

Not “Private Property”, as that was coded differently.

That led us to believe that it was park property- but because it was so far back into the middle of nowhere, that they didn’t want gooney folks drowning in it, dirtying it up and doing bad thing way back in there.

Imagine also, if the word of a small swimming hole so close to home got out.

The place would turn into a trash dump.

Dying for a sense of adventure, I poked around the fence line, and found a well-worn path through the fence and in the general direction of the lake. I was amped, and yet really nervous.

When we reached the general area, we realized it wasn’t just a lake, but a lake with a boat-house like structure and a dock.

From the architecture style and its wood quality, it looks like it was built in the 80’s and had been maintained until about 15-20 years ago. All the rubbish we saw- which wasn’t much- was old, at least a few years old. And it was strangely devoid of graffiti. There was some, but nothing too big. There were glass panes in the building, and the fact they weren’t broken was a bit of a testament to the place. Whoever came here was respectful enough to keep the place intact. 

 We had to be careful of our step- every single step sounded so loud, and the wood groaned under our weight. I advised Rudy to walk on the nail lines- those would be the beams and would support our weight better than the straight deck planking.

 

 It was really quite nice- quiet, secluded. I bet the lake had some decent fishing options in it- as someone used to give a crap about this place and probably stocked the lake a long time ago. I imagine duck hunting could be an option too, as we heard coots screaming at us from deep in the reeds.

 We didn’t stay long, there wasn’t much to do but look and technically, we weren’t supposed to be there. But it’s been in my head for days. I want to know more about it. Who owns the land, what that place was used for. Stuff like this always haunts me.

 I did find a guy who saw the lake and wrote about it, but didn’t get as close as I did.

 Random Curiousity

 But that’s all I have been able to find.
I’ll let you know more when I find out more.
Like my own little Advent mystery- only it’s not Advent.
Cool, huh?

Survivalism.

I am going camping for the weekend.

Strangely enough, this is the third time I have gone camping this year.

Normally we’ve been pretty moderate with our camping. Once, maybe twice in the season.  This year, we camped in Mid march (froze our asses off) and then again in May- as I told you the tale of  the Shitty Winds.

Our desire to aggressively camp comes from our desire to be prepared. If shit ever hits the fan, we want to be sure that we can get up and go.

Rudy is worried about the end of the B’ak’tun and thinks it would be better to be prepared and ready to go out into the wilderness, than to be unprepared and wait for the inevitable if we stay in the cities. Cities are always the epicenter for major civil disruptions; so the further you are from a city, the less you will be affected.

I don’t want to believe that 2012 will be TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it), but I want to at least put up a fight if it is. My larger concern is population and our own sustainability. This earth can’t sustain us for much longer if we keep up our rate of consumption, so we should find ways to take care of ourselves on our own- without having to fight for resources.

Our goal of saving our asses is simple. We load up our gear, and Cash in the truck. We drive as far as we can into the local valleys and find a place to call our own. If we need to, we will ditch the truck and hike in further. Our gear isn’t light; by we’ve determined we can manage it. Besides, we live in California- our winters are moderate. Snow clothes will keep us more than warm in the just-above-freezing chill. Considering San Benito County is less than 100,000 people- many who are already able to take care of themselves- we shouldn’t have a problem finding a gully or creek we can hide out in. The lands just south of us are rough and rugged, and the home of ancient volcanoes- so the land is rich and rife with wilderness. Wild pig are plentiful, ground squirrel are easy pickings. We could always eat vegetation.

Cash has a decent prey drive; an empty belly will easily increase it- he can hunt his own food. He can also serve as sentry and guard. Pit Bulls are also known for being great pig dogs; he can help with taking down a variety of animals. If our ancestors used dogs, we can definitely benefit by his inclusion in our party.

Our preparation is far from complete. But by simply getting started, we are father along than a large portion of the population.

 Are you prepared?