Hiatus

For anyone who hasn't noticed (I know the photo-hungry Nerds have surely noticed) I'm on an extended hiatus at the moment. There's been too much to do, too many people to talk to, and too much family around for me to get anything done during the month of December. Kat's studio will be rolling again in January while the Nerds are finishing up their new album - giving me a much-needed break before the tour to attempt a clean up of the photo backlog.

And for that matter, here's hoping my trusty ol' Canon makes it through the tour. I am sad to report that in the year 2009, my baby will officially be living on borrowed time, as she's about to pass the shutter life capacity. As long as I don't have to bury her on the road, all will be well. (I'm sure she'll make it; she's a good old bird.)

See ya next year.

Holy Freakin' Hell, Ya'll

Nerd Parade put on the show of their lives to a packed-to-the-hilt house at the Earl last night.

(Mission accomplished.)

I have obviously been to more Nerd shows than anyone but the band members, and I've got to say, that... that was truly something special.

But then, so was the Nophest show.

(All is right in the universe again.)

I feel like a positive fool, because as much as I write - all the poems, the novels, the lyrics, the biographies, the office work - I find myself sitting here recapping the show in my mind, and I haven't a thing to say.

I'm speechless. Every time I think about last night, I just hear Your Drunken Holiday - debuted last night quite spectacularly - playing on the radio in my head; I love the vocals on that song. And speaking of vocals, the rendition of the sometimes temperamental Daylight Savings Time was absolutely magical, particularly the Pink Floyd-esque improv section.

(We're not worthy... we're not worthy...)

This IS the Nerd Parade, ya'll: Randy Garcia, Abby Wren, Rich Wilson, John Jacobus, and Chris Sheldon. A five man unit whose whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and each part is unique, integral and irreplaceable. I know it, the fans know it, and hopefully now they all know it too.

(Nobody leaves the KGB.)

Today's Rant

The older I get, the more I can't figure it out: Why do half the men in the world have to stare at women like creepy perverts?

This is for you, Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy #1 who was in my office building yesterday, and you, Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy #2 who was in my office building today.

I don't mean a look - hell, I don't even mean a good long look... I mean staring, like the guy on the corner your mother warned you about. The kind of stare where the salivating creep's head follows your every move, even if they have to look over their shoulder to watch you while they hold a conversation with someone else. The same way I used to glue my eyes to my kid when she first learned to walk.

But seriously!! I run into at least one of these people nearly every day, and I honestly don't know if they think I'm cute or I'm suddenly being hunted by the CIA's poorly paid thug division. And if the case is indeed that they think I'm cute - not that I'm interested, but as far as the general populace goes - are they really vapid enough to honestly believe any woman is going to want to say hello to a Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy who is silently eyeing you like a starving dog in a butcher shop?

It's a shame, because there ARE some good men in the world, and there are plenty of others whos tongues at least work well enough to form the word "Hi." So way to go, Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy. Way to incite a riot of female paranoia and ruin it for everyone. Congratulations and bravo.

An Evening of Yes Music

From the balcony, about 5 rows up. Not bad for so far away. =)

I've got quite a few more, but I'm under the weather and working on Nophest photos when I can.

Caesar

Masks

The Masking of Johnny Blaze

So my dear boy JB has come along and saved a poor, depressed costumer from a long, bleak winter by requesting a pair of masquerade masks for himself and the lovely Mary. And I am happier than a pig in shit about it - at last, something new to do!

Disclaimer: I apologize for never having 'in process' pics of anything I'm doing. It's like writing down a recipe in the middle of cooking for me - near impossible. I never manage to stop halfway through and take photos; I get way too wholeheartedly involved in creating to remember.

So I've remembered that glue doesn't stick to glass (laugh - there's a lesson from kindergarten, right?), and I've learned that little glass beads like to morph into little piles of glass dust when handled improperly with a pair of pliers. AND CHEERS A 2ND TIME TO WALMART, for once again having the all the stuff I couldn't find in the fabric store.

I believe I actually managed to duplicate the elaborate beads-and-sequins trim on m'lady's gown for the female mask. Jackie actually helped me with the beading - apparently she loves stringing beads. (Considering I hate it, this is a very good thing.) And they look hot… Once again I am terribly proud of myself. I will have the female mask completed tonight, and I will post a photo, I promise.