Endings and Illuminations

Thank you to everyone who came to my show/party on Saturday- your presence and responses to my work meant the world to me.

There were points in the evening that were so busy that Lars was unable to shoot pictures. As a result we have sort of patchy documentation of the evening but here goes...

It's been my life-dream for years to have someone randomly show up to one of my parties wearing a chicken head. This stems from an experience I had on a summer evening many years ago. I had gotten my wisdom teeth removed and had been without food for a week but decided to go with Jonny to Hempfest anyway. After a series of questionable decisions i was in a faceless sea of dark figures with digital chicken heads. Ironically my party on Saturday was the same night as this year's Hempfest. I didn't ask for the chicken head, it just happened. Coincidences are always good omen for me.

Heath is a really good vocalist. Like "Holy Shit!" good.

Unfortunately, the weather decided to be record-breakingly hot. It was in the mid-90's and we definitely don't have AC. We brought in a few portable units but you wouldn't have even known they were on. Most opted to stand or sit on couches and pound drinks throughout the show, but ain't no stoppin the diehards.

Peanut-Butter Beast is a dirty mu'fuckin' bassist.

I love dancing with Josh- he and I were at Berklee together (till I dropped out) but never met until he joined The Oswald a few years ago. He's a good dancer.

Despite their normal fury- even the committed dancers eventually found themselves barely able to sway as the set went on. Some dropped out all together.

(Don't you love my field? It's just what the Dr. ordered when you're overcome with the urge to frolick, barf or fuck.)

By the end of the set it was pretty clear that Porkchop and I were King and Queen of Rock Out with your cock out. I mean, we brought the fucking metal. From the moment he ripped his shirt off and started head-banging i knew it was ON.

What can I say? Some people just take the lifestyle more seriously.

After the set some of the crowd moved outside for air. It was a gorgeous night.

The night turned into morning and and being the Mommy, I eventually found myself helping my stumbling children into cabs and tucking bleary-eyed roller derby girls into temporary beds.

Bye-bye Gavid (who apparently thinks it's good etiquette to jack a shitload of "to-go" beer for his own private afterparty.)

Gavid leaving was exactly like Hansel and Gretel going out into the forest- except replace Hansel with Sasquatch and breadcrumbs with beer. Oh Gavid, Mommy's special little unicorn... always leaving with a bang.

As per usual, Jake Jake and Ro6060 outlasted the rest. It was pretty perfect. Lars and I started this adventure with them (nine months ago at the November 13th Ween show in Seattle) and here we were on the other side. I love all my children DEEPLY, but must admit that their profound love of the Ween brings a special bond between me and these two. Ro6060 is working hard in his white-collar job toward the goal of hiring Ween to play in my basement. THAT is my ultimate life dream, and awesomely enough, his too. It's the whole reason I decided to try and pursue the sub-dream of being paid 40,000 dollars to punch Danzig in the face. A lot of people don't take me seriously, but Lars, Jake Jake and Ro6060 do. It's why we get along.

I wanted to look at the moon so the guys and I climbed up on the roof. It was absolutely breathtaking: rich, black, transparent clouds swirled around it like some sublime, illusory temple. We all just sat there in silent awe (until we were treated to an unexpected and spectacular lightning storm, prompting me to reflexively scream "OH MY FUCKING GOOOOOOOD!!!!!!" To my neighbors, I really apologize- I'll try to control myself in the future...)

We sat there watching the storm as dawn began to creep into the sky. Ro6060 fell asleep and snored proudly because my roof is helluv comfy.

Eventually Lars and Ro6060 were both out and it was just me and Jake Jake. Jake Jake is completely Momma's boy. We have a strange and very, very special connection.

We are a very strange group. These guys are the only friends who I can party with for 16 straight hours and THEN sit down and listen to TWO full Ween show bootlegs. We all just really like each other and have an unnaturally good time.

Jake Jake stepped out to take a phone call. He looked so picturesque in the field that Ro6060 and I couldn't help but pelt him with soggy fruit from the bottom of the punchbowl. Jake Jake was on the phone with a lady-friend so he just sat there and took it.

Once he hung up we got it back, though.

He totally missed from the field but did chuck a lemon squarely into the back of my head a few minutes later.

We spent the afternoon listening to the Ft. Collins Ween Bootleg (twice). Ro6060 ripped it up on air guitar and I danced my sorry, sore little ass off. This bootleg both makes my day and breaks my heart. Breaks my heart in a good way. Sometimes the good stuff hurts the most.

I still don't know what's next. I need to rest a few days before I decide what to do. There is a buffet of potential opportunity at my doorstep- a gunsmithing apprenticeship, new coloring books, outstanding commissions to finish, new collaborations.... There are also a couple other artists who have deeply inspired me. I may try to shower with art and love. I just don't think I'm quite ready to move yet. Need to sleep.

For now, thanks to everyone who came out. The show was a great success and as a result, I'll be able to stay in this crazy game a little longer. I have a few more pieces to add to my collaborative and new work sections. And you can trust that I'm scheming future plans to thrill and excite the Forces that Be. Keep checking back and I'll let you know when I do.

Love,
thea

Posted on 18 Aug 2008, 20:27
- . - .

Done and Dusted

Ok. Done for realz, now. This still isn't the greatest photo (this style is incredibly hard to photograph accurately due to the interference paint) but here you go.

And some details:

I keep trying to drown out the truth with ice cream, but between you, me and the internet- I'm pretty fucking down about the Ween tour being over. For the first time since GodWeenSatan made me its bitch I just can't listen to Ween. I want to but when I do it just breaks my fucking heart. it's too overwhelming right now. Ween is like a drug I'm not quite woman enough to handle. But like a fool, Lord, I did try. Oh mu'fucka- how i tried.

Come help me dance and smoke my blues away on the 16th. (for details about the upcoming show/party- visit the "Shows" section of my site.)

Posted on 12 Aug 2008, 11:18
- . - .