New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

Nothing Much to Say....

Well, I'm back to having Tuesdays and Wednesdays off from work. At least I no longer have to wake up at 4AM on the days I work. I had the weekends off for the last year. It was fun but it seems that not many events happened as I hoped. It seemed like many of my friends didn't have things going on in 2011 like they had in 2010 when I missed many events due to work.

Anyway, I'll be back to my Tuesday routine of drawing sessions in Hoboken followed by karaoke at O'Connells. I'll probably will start up my evening at the Hamilton Park Pub for some wings and half price beer. I neglected some things in the last year and was brushed off by a few people for some reason and embraced by others. With my new schedule I'm able to hang out at night on the weekends but only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the day.

Hopefully my sleeping in will help my creative impulses, I know I'll be able to indulge my karaoke urges on multiple nights.

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

Dislike Button

One of the more notable features of facebook is the "like" button. Post a picture, a link, a video, or a statement and if one of your friends think it's cool you press like and there you have it, social networking.

There has been a call to put a "dislike" button feature on facebook. People who advocate for it would use it if someone posts the death of a loved one, the loss of a game of a favorite team, and a posted statistic that suggests we're in trouble.

More likely the "dislike" button would be used in bad taste. Or if a political view that is the opposite of yours. I think I can predict what postings I would put up that would get a "dislike".


1. A YouTube link to Olivia Newton John and other guilty pleasures.

2. My criticism of reality shows.

3. A post from the Daily Show that makes fun of Republicans.

4. A posting that shows my gratification in the Yankees, Patriots, or Lakers losing.

5. A post supporting immigrant rights.

6. A posting that says ANYthing positive about President Obama

7. An unintentional sexist joke, post, or link.

8. This post.

Satire piece: Herman Cain Grope.

I heard someone use this word to describe Herman Cain so of course I had to do a satire piece. Unfortunately when I was nearly done, I saw the Daily Show did a piece with the word on a segment. Oh well, I kinda like my piece better.

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

yes it's new

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

Somewhat Embarrassing Story...

I went to do my usual karaoke thing last night and many nights I sing whatever I want regardless whether people like the song or not. Sometimes I move around and get into the song and sometimes I get a little shy and just kinda sing. But one thing I never do is shy away from is the actual singing. Even if my voice is rough, shot or totally out of sync with the song, I put in the effort as best as I can. I'm nbot shy about my singing one bit.


That wasn't always the case. I was reminded of a time before I went to art school when I pooped out on a singing effort. Now, I've always wanted to be a rock star but to this day I still can't play an instrument. I had sang in my school in plays back when I was in 7th grade but never made any effort to form or weasel my way into a band. Several people in my grade had formed bands but in not being able to play an instrument I never felt I had any right to be in a band.

A friend from the neighborhood had gotten together with his friend to put together a band and they needed a vocalist for a demo. His friend had some pretty good equipment for 1985 and wanted me to sing the song Electric Co. by U2. Although I was a fan of u2, I didn't know the song and I needed a crash course on it before I could sing it. I had the lyrics in front of me but I had struggled with singing it.

My frustration was apparent and my enthusiasm waned because I put myself out there for others to evaluate and felt I wasn't any good. I gave up any idea of helping them out further but in actuality I was moving to New York and the two of them were still in high school. I'm not sure if I had made a more valiant effort anything would have come out of it. but I pretty much gave up singing anywhere in public until 2001 when I finally discovered karaoke as an activity I enjoy. It serves to sate my appetite for performing without having to deal without worrying about preparation.

Years later I realized my problem with the song had more to do with it being out of my vocal range, It had awkward phrasing and I needed to make adjustments to make it work. I was too impatient and embarrassed to make a newer effort.


Still, I wonder what if I had pushed myself more, maybe at least I would have memories of once being in a band. Who knows I might have attracted a future wife.

My picks from the heart not from the smart.

Okay, It's that time of year where I root for baseball teams that aren't the New York Mets or the Seattle Mariners to win it all in the order in which I like them.

...and why.



1. Detroit Tigers- It wasn't too long ago (2003) that the Tigers set the American League record for most losses. Three years later they were in the World Series and right now have a more than decent chance to do it again. They've got a strong team offensively and the best pitcher in the American League along with this year's most successful closer. The city of Detroit is starting to recover from the depths of their economic crisis slowly and I like the idea that their sports teams are doing well so I'm rooting for them over the other 7 teams. Especially in the first round.


2. Milwaukee Brewers- Has been in one World Series back when they were in the American League. They have a chance for a re-match but not in the World Series but in the NLCS if they face the Cardinals. I like them enough despite the fact they were born from the ashes of the Seattle Pilots of 1969. Interesting trivia- The Milwaukee Brewers WITHOUT ever moving form their city has played in four different divisions, the American League West (1970-1971), the American League East (1972-1993), The American League Central (1994-1997), and currently the National League Central (1998-present) Any team with that kind of history is easy to root for.


3. Tampa Bay Rays- A hard luck team for most of its existence but almost a perennial playoff team now. Funny how getting rid of the "devil" part of the name has worked out for them. Still it took the classless Yankees to lay down for them to get in the playoffs. If both teams make the ALCS, I hope it bites the Yankees in the ass.

4. Texas Rangers-A team that has never won the World Series. I root for underdogs like that. I like Nolan Ryan and what he has done to the team but the Bush stank on its history still smolders, so it's hard to root for the Texas Rangers too much.



5. Philadelphia Phillies- Like the Red Sox and their recent success I still haven't learn to hate the Phillies and theirs. A hard luck franchise for most of their existence. But they have rubbed it in the Mets face with their success but with the Mets playing bad baseball the last few years, It can't truly be considered a rivalry.


6. Arizona Diamondbacks- An expansion team who I'm not anxious to match the Mets in World Series titles in a mere 14 years of existence.






7. St. Louis Cardinals- Still haven't gotten over 2006, Only reason to root for them is so they too will have 2 World Series championships in this century and 11 in their history. Enough to possible go on a three or four decade run to surpass the Yankees in championships.




8. New York Yankees- Like rooting for a billionaire to get a tax payer bailout.

Collapses

Epic collapses in MLB recent history..






2011 Braves September










2011 Red Sox September








Compare it to the 2007 New York Mets





Both the Red Sox and the Braves would have killed to have the .500 record the Mets had in their epic collapse.

I guess I can feel a little bit better, However a perennial playoff team for the Mets future would soothe the pain better.

Now It's Only Oakland In a Football/Baseball Stadium

So the Florida Marlins play their last game in the only place they have called home since their beginning in 1993. They have the longest tenure of any MLB team in their original home ballpark until they finish today. They have the third longest tenure (believe it or not) of any National league ball team in the same park after the Cubs and the Dodgers. The Marlins moving will also eliminate the second to last venue that has both the NFL and MLB which was common place as recently as 15 years ago. Oakland is the only one left.

The funny thing is although they've only played in one stadium. The ballpark has featured more names than a whole league of ball parks.


In order of the names since the Marlins moved in 1993.

Joe Robbie Stadium
Pro Player Park
Pro Player Stadium
Dolphins Stadium
Dolphin Stadium
Land Shark Stadium

and finally

Sun Life Stadium.

Which goes to show how stupid the trend of naming stadiums after corporate entities that don't own the team.

They're moving to Miami and calling themselves the Miami Marlins. I wonder if they can attract more than 10,000 fans in the new ballpark?

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

Catching Up. 1991

September 21, 1991.

I noticed I haven't written much lately. It's because I've been meeting people, Talking to people and even hanging out with people. The main guy I've been hanging with is the guy Mike from Kinko's. Most of the time I see him when I go to Kinko's to work on the computer at night. I don't know why I don't apply there.

Anyway I hung out with Mike one time at his place and watch a 7-Eleven get stripped of all its labels while we were there. A few nights later we went to this record store to see this band Nirvana put on a free show. We couldn't get inside though. That's okay it was too loud. They play Nirvana a lot on this radio station The End in Seattle. It's the only way I can listen to music right now because I don't have my CD player.

I still haven't heard from the places I applied to. I stay home waiting but I should get a answering machine because I need to get out more.


2011-Update. that was kinda neat seeing Nirvana in the store (though I was out of the store) I only knew two songs from them at the time and they only played Smells Like Teen Spirit. My friend Mike kept telling me about their album would be big I just didn't know how big. I'm glad I was able to find footage of them there at the Beehive in the University District. It takesme back.

And no, I hadn't missed any of my old entries. I just got caught up in other things. Probably Pipe Dreams.

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

1991

Sept 13, 1991

I spent over $100 on clothes at the GAP today. I filled out an application for them today. I really don't know...I went to a place that had a "Help Wanted" sign and asked about it (It was a Pink Pussycat type of place) and they said that they weren't hiring! WELL TAKE THE GOD DAMN SIGN DOWN THEN, FOOLS!

I got a toaster oven!! Wee Haw! (2011-My apartment didn't have a real kitchen, just a sink.) I spent too much time doing aimless wandering. Pfft! The guys called so that was cool!! I'm tempted to become an alcoholic!! I worked on more Pipe Dreams today and I'm now at a bar which is kinda cool and waiting til I can go to Kinko's and work on the computer and start writing a resume.

2011-I hung out at Kinko's a lot when I first moved to Seattle. I made friends with a guy named Mike who worked there. Kinko's was opened 24 hours and had a "happy hour" of half priced copies and half priced rentals of computers after midnight. Mike helped me out by giving me even better deals. Kinko's at the time wasn't as asinine about keep inventory. It certainly helped me out in the early days. I had the choice of renting out a PC or a Mac. Even in the nadir days of Apple and the approaching zenith of Microsoft, I chose a Mac.

1991-Still Rambling, Trying To Connect....

Sept. 12, 1991

I went down to UPS and it was a waste of time. Well, Not really because at least I have direction (2011-HA!) but it is a bigger pain in the ass than it is to apply in New Jersey. The bus ride down was a nightmare. The lowest scum in Seattle ride bus 130. This one guy passes out after nodding back and forth and lands right on his face. He didn't attempt to stop himself! He pops right up as though nothing happened. At that point I got off and was lucky enough to be a short walking distance from UPS. I then went back to talk to Sundra at Pioneer Square. That job there was taken. I bought a book anyway and yapped with her for two hours. (Shit.) and she HAD to go to Olympia. Ah well. I called my parents.

1991- Twenty Years Ago, Ten Years Before...

Sept. 11, 1991

Man O man! Forget it!!! I've got more stuff for may apartment but man o man I don't know what to do with my time. I went down to the International District(2011-Actually SoDo) in hopes that I will find UPS but it was far away when I was in the "International District" I didn't know where it was but I had to be at least two miles from it. I gave up and walked to the Capital Hill District where I just walked around more. Boom! Yuck Ech! I fucken hate myself. Oh but I did purchase a lamp and proceeded forward with Pipe Dreams, which is a pipe dream as I'm dealing with it now (2011-Twenty years later there is still no irony in the title I chose) I might buy this diary of an 11 year old girl I found in a thrift store, hopefully it will inspire a new character or new ideas I can't come up with myself. I called the guys now that I finally have my own phone.

1991-When Will He Stop?

Sept. 10, 1991.

Even a worse day. It's getting to me, I hate not working but I hate more the jobs that seem to be available at this moment. It makes you feel inadequete, useless untalented and that's for the jobs that suck! Maybe it's a sign to get out there and show my artwork but my lack of professionalism (2011-Still a problem) might hinder my attempt at securing recurring assignments. I've lost contact with EVERYONE I met at the hostel and like a pathetic worm I keep coming here in hopes I fun into them. Fuck! It doesn't matter.

GET YOUR FUCKIN' ASS OFF THE CHAIR! SHIT! FUCK! DAMN!

Yikes-1991

Sept 9, 1991

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

(2011- Yeah I wrote that.)

Monday. The list of jobs is shitty! (2011-No Internet nor Craig's List in 1991) I've been walking in various areas looking for help-wanted signs but none are jobs I'm willing to take. I'm not that fussy about work but I have pride. (2011-I recall a time when I actually had pride, I think I lost it sometime in 1998) If I don't like the job I'll work very lethargically. AAAAugh!! I'm at least going to have my phone installed Weds. I also bought new clothes that I like but probably couldn't wear in many places. I went to a bar and had two stouts.

Whoopee.


2011- I just want to plug a really good brew pub located on University Way I used to go to a lot in my early day. Big Time Brewery, And ironic name for a micro-brew pub. It never achieved "hang-out" status for me. I enjoyed drinking their tasty home brew there but was never able to connect with people there. I missed out on an opportunity for a job there a month later after I had already took a job. That may have changed my life in a way that would have surely been better for me. Oh well.

1991 is still rolling.....

Sept 8, 1991

Woof! All of a sudden, I feel inadequete. I didn't do much at all today. I just continue to buy trinkets at various places. I went to Pioneer Square in a futile attempt at hoping the girl I met Thursday was there. I need a pillow! I need a job! I need a hug! I need someone. I called my parents and wrote two postcards. Other than that I just walked around. I walked from the Broadway District all the way up to the University District. When I got there, I just went back and forth to no avail. I'm bored. I've got to get a phone and get it soon!!!! Dammit!!!

Just keeping up with the past....

Sept 7, 1991,

I moved into a new apartment and boy am I lonely. I now have to go back and forth looking for work and stuff to use for my apartment, Which is really just a room. I'm losing contact with the people I have met along the way. Well, I'm bored.

2011- It was funny realizing that I was about to settle down to my new city. I only knew one person at the time there and he wasn't really a close friend. I wasn't able to keep in touch with the people I had met along the way, About three of whom I fell in love with. the place I moved into had no bathroom but it did have a toilet, a refrigerator and a kitchen sink. It had some furniture and it was located on a busy street in the University District that had lots of movie theaters and a few comic stores. It only cost me $275 dollars a month that even in 1991 was cheap.

Photoshop satire

New Pipe Dreams Cartoon

Limbo Day-1991

Sept 5, 1991

Limbo day! I couldn't figure out what to do so I just wandered aimlessly until I hit a store in Pioneer Square area. I was yakking away with this cute chubby chick in a cartoon prop shop (2011-It was a place that sold animation cels and related merchandise) She'sll be heading to Olympia in a few weeks and there may be a possibility of a job there. We talked for at least an hour (business was slow) and man I simply wanted to do her. No way around it, I wanted to do her bad. Some people might think I have no scruples but hey! I'm thinking with my OTHER head. I'll probably visit the store again while she's still there and maybe I could get somewhere with her (2011-nope) Damn I'm a dog, lately.















2011- A good example of bad writing that I edited a little and still it comes across as crass. There was a lot of fear and anger in what I wrote back then. Plus I was desperate to make some sort of friendship with people a problem I still have today. People are friendly in Seattle when you first meet them but are harder to get to be good friends with after initial contact. I could have used a facebook like place to engage people. Heck, In 1991, I didn't have a computer, Heck, I had barely even used a desktop computer. The internet was somewhat nonexistent back then too. And I had no phone, cell or otherwise. This forced me to interact face to face. Lucky the days were very nice then, the only day of rain on my trip at that point was when I went to Lollapalooza.

Setting The Wheels in Motion....

Sept 4, 1991

OK, these days are more momentous and filled with more obstacles than I thought. The Catch -22 situation is around me. I'm simultaneously looking for an apartment, a job and a bank transfer. I didn't make any progress in any of these situations but I did end up in the library and made progress there in noting publications in the Seattle area. Yay.

The guy who helped me out was as cool as was the woman at the bank. Both were transplants. I called Mom but got Dad instead, oh well. I have to call my friend to let him know I gave his name for local reference on the apartment that I settled on. I don't know what my next move will be if I don't get accepted. I don't know if I can burden my friend. I need to get a phone number to be reached at so I might buy a phone answering machine so I can keep track of the messages. (2011-It seems like a lot of my problems back then would have been cured by the internet and cell phones) I haven't seen brooke today so I'm kinda down.


2011- I don't recall having spent this much time pining over this woman "Brooke" back in the day. I thought by the time I was away from the hostel we went our separate ways. I'd like to think I'm passed that stage in my life but I just don't write it down. I still have the habit of obsessing a bit over the last woman I either dated or had intimate contact with but I keep it to myself in my head I'm not sure it's better.












There's a joke here somewhere but I never worked this one out. I think I may be able to be able to refine it to 21st Century audiences.

P.S. - I appreciate the feedback I have been getting on this, I know it's a little weird and very self-indulgent but I'm finding it is helping me get out of the blahs a little bit.

Blah Blah Blah...1991....Blah Blah Blah

Sept 3, 1991.

I did some more apartment hunting that had less results than yesterday. I was only able to contact one of the landlords and the neighborhood was so bad (2011-not true) and so far east (2011-true) that I didn't even bother checking it out. The others were "filled" when I called. (I did see some repeats so it might be true) I called on the place that I liked the best yesterday and well, I'm beginning to think I might not get the apartment. (2011- I didn't but the same one that was on the first floor WAS available)

I'm in the mood to work. I'm starting to get antsy and uptight (2011-Not having a job would have caused multiple problems in my apartment hunting in New Jersey) I'm in a Catch-22 situation. I'm not running out of money yet but I'm starting to feel the pinch. I went back to the "Y" for a few days. (You were only allowed a limited time to stay at the hostel) I did head to the hostel where I talked to this woman, diamond (2011-!!) for about 90 minutes.

I met many "positive" people and well it put me in a temporary state of euphoria. I did run into Brooke and yes I believe I have a crush on her. She's staying on Vashon Island for a few days. I called my friend Sean and we had a VERY good conversation. It went well. I think I'll call mom tomorrow.

Dream Place? 1991 Continues...

Sept. 2, 1991.

The first time "apartment" shopping. Somewhat in the last minute. I'm basically looking for a room with perhaps shared expenses. Today I checked out four...well actually three. The first one was the cheapest and with good reason. It was a horror show. A yucky porch with a zoo of insects swarming around. The kitchen was a dump and it smelled bad. I didn't even consider it, The only advantage was a dirty rug (So I can do my artwork as I pleased) and it's in a college neighborhood (An advantage?)














The second place was a good one. It was large (2011-uh no.) with a refrigerator and a toilet and a decent bed. I'm probably going to take it for the time being. (2011-I did, for two years on a 6 month lease) It might be a busy street(It's hard to say) (2011-University Way-The Ave) but it's livable for a few months while looking for another place.

The third place was in a house in a decent neighborhood but with a sleazy sort of owner. The kind that thought his place is so high in demand, but it wasn't that great. They bragged about the cleaning they did but it wasn't even clean.

The fourth place I looked at did not even let me in the door, It was the farthest away from where the bus left me off. the house was in somewhat poor condition but in a tolerable way. A woman answered the door in a rather "Eeeeeww! What the hell is at the door" expression. It seemed I was not the type they were looking for. (2011- too much testosterone) I was a little offended. I was looked at as the enemy. I ate a lot at McDonlads today.

Whoops.

Seattle 1991: Oy!

Sept 1, 1991.

OK, not much today. I met this girl, Heck I met a lot of girls since I started hosteling. Well, there is one in particular. Her name is Brooke. She's this hippy type chick who is quite nice looking. She gives me this look that...oof!... I don't know .... She's quite nice and I've had quite long conversations with her. Although I've been rather the cad lately with the women around here in Seattle. I've flirted shamelessly with many women around without any regard for whether or not they minded or not.

Well, Brooke who I think digs me (2011-delusional) is quite talented with the beads. (2011-Yeah I was into the Bead Store at Pike Place Market once upon a time) We were walking around today and were approached by a couple looking to get rid of their Bumbershoot tickets for 5 bucks so we went together at first and had split up after the Indigo Girls concert. She said she'd meet up with me later at 11pm, but she didn't show up.












2011- Man, I wish I took pictures of the people I met along the way. These days that would be an easy proposition with digital cameras. Of course I would have liked having a cell phone in order to keep track of people and let them know where I was and give yup hope quicker when the stand me out.

Seattle 1991 Continues:Bumbershoot

Aug 31, 1991,

I went to the Bumbershoot festival today in Seattle Center. It was quite fun, I had seen a number of local punk/rock type bands along with Booker T and the MGs. that was quite cool. It was seven bucks but worth it. I visited the Science Center which was a load of fun. I then came back after looking at some art. I was hanging out here for an hour and then went back. I missed BB King but saw a Cajun band and a wonderful folk band "Marley's Ghost" and various small bands around the festival. Bands like Skinyard, Mono Men and Love Battery at the Bumber Club. Alan Ginsberg was there but I didn't see him. I ate a lot of pretzels man.


2011 Update- I love Bumbershoot. It's a Labor Day weekend day festival that charges one price for a full day opportunity to see various acts in music, comedy, poetry and lots and lots of art. It is a great opportunity to catxch marginal acts that you might not pay full price to see by themselves. You can go from place to place all for one price. 1991 was the first one I went to and I was very open minded in checking out as much bands as possible. If you get bored you move to another act, another venue. Or check out art. 7 bucks was a huge bargain in 1991. It's 35 dollars a day in 2011 but much cheaper than your avegare cost for a concert.

Over the years I've seen James Brown, The Violent Femmes, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Beck, Parliment, The Sex Pistols, Joan Jett, Sir Mix-a-lot, Tony Bennet, The Blind Boys of Alabama, And on one memorable occasion, on one day, one stage even I saw Roger McGuinn, Mel Torme, Mudhoney and the Ramones.

Sketches From the Past.

Here are some sketches I did in 1991 that was experimental for me. I kinda like them for its adventurous spirit. I'm thinking of adapting them for new color computer work.

Hostelling-Seattle -1991 style.

Aug. 30, 1991.


Yesterday, I checked into the downtown hostel in Seattle. I haven't done much, I tried to get in touch with my friend in the hopes to go out tonight. No such luck. Well, after writing some postcards I went to the Seattle Center to get a head start on the Bumbershoot weekend. I saw some really incredible works of art from women. It was intimidating, frightening, horrible and wonderful. There was media-oriented works that was cool




















I also went to the Pioneer Square area and spent time in a book store carousing the books for a few hours. I bought some beads (2011-yeah, I bought beads) but I can't seem to string them together. I finally met up with my friend and went up to visit him. It was uneventful other than his roommate who is an extraordinary craftsman with amazing skills with furniture and fixing up junk. It's a fine place with good view and my friend seems to have a good life. The tool shed was incredible.



















2011- It was weird to see an old school chum in the new city. I was hoping to lean on him a bit but felt we weren't close enough for me to take advantage of any favors. Plus I was hung up on trying to get my comic strip "Pipe Dreams" going and the idea of manual labor at the time for some reason I felt was beneath me. On retrospect I was definitely a snob and should have jump into developing new skills.

Lollapalooza-1991

August 29, 1991.

Yuck! I do not like this paper (2011-cheap thin paper) this damn sketchbook was shrink wrapped so I didn't know how bad it would be. Anyway, Yesterday was a day. I was easily able to get a ticket to the Lollapalooza show (2011-from From Frederick and Nelson's). It had six, maybe seven acts from Jane's Addiction, Ice-T to Siouxsie and The Banshees and Fishbone. (2011-Also Nine Inch Nails and Violent Femmes). I was hoping to get a ride from a friend of Justine, the girl I met in Portland.

Well, Of course that fell through and I had to scramble to figure out how to get to the Kings County Fairgrounds. I called buses and went to the Greyhound station and called the Metro again (2011-How easy it would be if there was a hand held cyberspace device to use) and finally was able to get a bus that got me to a mini-bus that dropped us about 3 miles from the fairgrounds.

Well, Guess what? It was raining, not hard but raining nonetheless. (2011-Believe it or not it was the first time since my trip began) Well, I met up with people and we got separated two by food, two by booth and finally when we got to the entrance I lost the last person because we weren't allowed on the grounds with a backpack. (2011-Yeah this ain't Woodstock) Since we both had backpacks we couldn't just walk in.

I wanted to go in but my man decided to screw the whole thing. I had to put the backpack SOMEWHERE since it was raining, I had to find a place as dry as possible and hide it from view.


So I went to a small group of bushes and tied it to a branch about six feet in the air. But I got discovered and had to find another place which also got spotted by someone but he too needed a hiding place so I threw caution in the wind.

When I finally got to the show, The Violent Femmes were on and they put on a solid performance. It continued to rain and there wasn't much shelter at all from the rain. When the Femmes ended I checked out the art show there and the political tables. It was the only decent retreat from the rain.

I wasn't able to find any of the people I met on the bus trip or Justine. (2011-My future girlfriend WAS there though, two years early) Man there are freaks at the show, It was a regular sideshow. (2011-The Jim Rose Sideshow as a matter of fact)

If you wanted to buy food you had to buy tickets and purchase the food with the tickets,so of course you have some left over at the end of the night.(2011-Try using the exact amount of tickets without having a little left over, It's impossible) I bought about 4 glasses of lemonade.

Okay I missed the first few acts because our mini-bus got stuck in traffic behind a farm combine. It was a half hour ride at a snail's pace.

After the Femmes, Fishbone came on and I had the best view of the stage. This was fine because they were exciting to look at. Ice-T was next and he put on a great show. His back up band, Body Count was great. Ice-T had the fans in his control. (2011- they did Cop Killer and the crowd went nuts) Owwwww! I didn't have have as good of a view because I sought shelter in between acts. During Siouxsie and the Banshees I walked around a bit since I'm not a huge fan though she was good and I was around for my favorite songs of hers.

I tried to get close when it was time for Jane's Addiction, It was getting dark and I wasn't able to find Justine. Jane's took a long time setting up and with the rain and the increased cold, It was quite uncomfortable. They were great despite my view wasn't good. The fans were obnoxious, pushing and trying to climb over people (I didn't know the term crowd surfing in 1991) The highlight of the set was when Ice-T came out to "duet" with Jane's Addiction on the Sly Stone classic "Don't Call Me N-----, Whitey" What a weird due that Perry Farrel. After "Caught Stealing" I started to saunter out away from the stage, first at the art tent where a bonfire was roaring, I then slowly found my way back to the entrance.When they were doing their encore I went to find my bag.

I then walked the 3 miles back to the bus stop, only to find out I missed the last bus and the next one wasn't until 5 in the morning. Well, Shit that was 6 more hours! Which made me wonder, There was about 18 people on the bus with me and I woindered what happened to them and how was I gonna get back to the Y. Some girls walked by and two guys walked by and said they were gonna hitchhike. I didn't know what to do, the nearby hotel had no vacancy. Finally, this dude walked by and we decided to hitch a ride. He was a dopey guy from Canada named Terry. Two other women walked by also from Canada asked us where we were going. They were going to Seattle for the night and had a car but it was parked further away. We walked about a mile before the girls decided they needed to hitch to GET to the car. A big guy in a VW Rabbit picked us up and drove abouyt FIVE miles till we finally got to the girls car.

Now the girl's car, A VW Bug was in piss poor shape (Like a Flintstone mobile) but we were driving. When we got to I-5 we were so sluggish to the point that a cop pulled us over. The girl driving didn't have a license on her and the other two people didn't even have a license at all. The only one with a license was me! And he shouted out "New Jerrrrsey" in the most red neck accent possible when he saw my license. So the cop does the usual routine and then says that I had to drive the car.

So sure enough I'm driving this Flintsone mobile (2011-Praying that I didn't have to brake Flintstone style) as it chugged up I-5 going a max. 35 mile an hour. Anyway I got off the right exit and was inb front of the "Y" and got out an bid goodbye to the girls. I reluctantly invited Terry to crash at the "Y" but was relieved that the "Y" doesn't allow it. They have night guards to ensure that. I quickly said "I'm sorry, dude" and entered the elevator and never saw them again.

P.S..- At 1AM the rain finally stopped.

Long Bus Trip Northward.....

Aug. 26, 1991.

Monday, Take-off day. Another dreadful bus trip. These bus trips start out fine, I had my own seat for the first stretch, which doiesn't last too long. The day started out saying good bye to all the people I met in San Francisco. It's sad even though I've only known them for three days and boy oh boy I wish the quality of the women that go to the hostels were regulars at Wilson's.

Man, they were beautiful and most were not traveling with anyone. and since they were foreign, They thought I was cool. Antony is an alright guy, amusing to a point and was lucky to have Demit as a companion to go to LA with him (2011-Definitely shoulda gone with them) even if she is a loon. There will be people coming up to Seattle in the near future. the bus trip was okay until two kids came on at Redding, California. One sat next to me which destroyed any hope of me getting any sleep.

We drove past Mt. Shasta National Park, a truly spectacular sight. the mountains were beautiful when the sun was going down and it got dark before the scenery got dull. the bus driver kept yakking away about the surrounding areas and this along with the frequent night stops prevented me from getting any sleep.


We made a supper stop in Williams, California at an A&W restaurant. It was classic junk food. I bought corn chips, apples and Sweet Tarts (2011-?) for a cheap price (2011-Once again with being cheap) I ate the whole bag --burp!--- I ate dreadfully in San Francisco and I'm gonna make up for it in Seattle again. Sigh! It seems that no matter what bus, train, and plane I take I'm surrounded by nothing but classless people who are boring. I mean, Where are the cool people? I never talk to people on bus trips, I get in a pissy mood and I don't want to talk to anybody.

Oh well, Now it's Tuesday morning and I'm still on the bus and my stomach is churning because we're getting close to Seattle and I'm not sure I'll get a hostel bed for the night. I've got to make some plans now.

Go Go Frisco!

Aug. 25, 1991

Saturday...actually I'm writing this Monday but it's actually about Saturday, Get it? Let's see....ah yes... Saturday I wake up before my roommate Antony. I was on the roof meditating a bit when this girl from Germany came up looking for a room. That room just happened to be the room where a girl I met Friday was. I struck up some small talk with her and though I felt somewhat unnerved by me. We talked for a half hour and I invited her to spend the day with me, Antony and Helen. It was a touristy day. We went back to Fisherman's Wharf. We rode the trolley which was cool. We had free passes from the other day from a guy I met in Portland. We spent too much time in Fisherman's Wharf which depressed the hell out of me. It's a lousy place to hang out. We did a little walking through North Beach and stopped at a cafe and at a park near a beautiful church. The German girl, Demit (I think) was a firecracker ready to explode! She turned out to be nuts. After a while we went through Chinatown and went back to the hostel. We hung out for a while and went to a dumb club with me, Antony, Helen, Demit, Remsy, and two German brothers and Karin. It was typical loud dance music with a yuppie crowd. We left looking for other clubs in the area but since half of us were underaged we had a hard time getting in. After a while Remsy and I got fed up and went back. End of evening.

2011 Update: the way I read this today I see that I was a killjoy at times. It usually happens when I'm hanging with a group larger than six people. It took me years to break that habit but I still slip up even these days.




















Sunday started out with the usual fumbling around and doing nothing. We had to catch a 10:45 boat going to Alcatraz. Man, What a trap! God! San Francisco worse than New York with its touristy junk and rip off sights. Alcatraz was dull, expensive and unauthentic. We weren't able to get off the regimented path. A little bit of history was learned here but I tell ya, there's nothing more frustrating than a tourist attraction that originally was used for a different purpose.





















Once we got out of there I decide I wanted to walk to Haight-Ashbury (Against Antony's wishes) It was on this walk I finally got an appreciation for San Francisco. I was finally able to see how the natives lived and saw some of the famed streets that you always see in movies and TV. Antony was somewhat perturbed at the idea of walking but I tricked him in thinking the walk wasn't gonna be too long. I've had to compromise more but dammit! this is what exploring a city is really like. We finally got to the Haight and took the obligatory picture at Haight Ashbury. Although we only spent about a half hour there, It made up for the other crap we did. The park, (Golden State) seems like a wonderful place to spend the day (2011 It sure as hell is!) but alas! no. It's back to the hostel. Maybe someday I'll spend a long weekend here depending on what job I get.





















I didn't do much in the evening. We got a new roommate. He's kind of a macho jerk. I was hanging out with him in the common room when he went up to get a beer. While he was away, I struck up a conversation with two British girls, both named Kathy and we were joined by another girl from Denmark. I was having a great time with them when whats-his-name came back. At first I thought he was gonna sit away from us and watch TV. But he joined us much to my dismay. It was no problem until it got late and we went back to our respective rooms. When he went into a misogynist rant to describe the girls.

















God!!!! And these girls were cool. One had the coolest face (2011-coolest face?) the other a cool voice and the third a nice plump body. If you think THAT'S crude? Hah!


P.S. I called the guys today.


I've periodically read my sketchbooks over the years but I don't recall when I last read this entry. It flooded me with the memories of that Sunday night in San Fransisco. I forgot that I didn't got out much at night at the time. It would be about another 6 months when I would go out regularly at night. Ugh, that guy who was my roommate. I don't know where Antony was that night. I liked hanging out with him and we would have done well with these women being each other's wing man.

Ahh, the days when you had to call using a pay phone. I actually don't recall whether phone cards were in normal usage in 1991, so it's beyond my memory how I called.