Silly Billy’s finale Confetti Cannon!
The Birthday Cake!
The Big Foot Clown Alley Welcome
Pinky!
Then I had to clean up the mess out in the driveway. Next time I could use the grass in back they said.
The 20th Northwest Festival of Clowns – Day 1
October 15, 2009
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More loft progress
August 11, 2009We puttied holes, sanded, added cross beams and the mattress support plywood pieces.
It needs more sanding, another step and a headboard/bookshelf. And green paint. And a matress.
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Loft progress
July 17, 2009The state of Orion’s loft bed…
(Credo Katana phone camera)
After several hours, John and I had assembled a free standing loft.
We still need to add:
- back diagonal cross pieces
- the headboard/ shelf
- the plywood mattress shelves
- one more rung on the ladder
Then we need to:
- sand
- fill holes with wood putty
- paint
- disassemble
- transport
- reassemble in the bedroom
But next week, I’m kayaking with the Orcas! and Trish, Orion, Michelle, Guido, and Gavin too.
And meeting Dana “Penny Lane” for the first time since she admitted to wanting to be a clown two years ago!
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Wedding Stories pt. 2
June 17, 2009WARNING: SCATOLOGICAL HUMOR
Back in ’04, our dear friends Michelle & Guido got married.
That weird clown energy followed me and played havoc.
They had bought a newish house in Monroe, and it had some plumbing issues. This was to be the source of concern, as the ceremony AND reception would both be at their house.
As guests and caterers filled the place, Michelle retired to her bedroom to get ready with her bridesmaids, rendering one toilet inaccessible. They also have another bathroom upstairs between the two other bathrooms. A third bathroom adjoins the laundry room adjacent to the garage. The caterers set up shop in the garage. The third bathroom had a sign on the handle advising users to “Hold Down the Handle”.
As I consider myself highly literate I figured I could safely operate this toilet. I was wrong.
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Monarch Sculpture Park Field Trip
June 12, 2009From our field trip to Monarch Sculpture Park… which I finally visited after living in Olympia for 16 years! Ridiculous!
the Sacred Grove, where you write your prayers on ribbon and hang them in the trees.
I wrote “For Jusby to work full time”!
Orion playing Giant Croquet
Tristen jumped in front of the ball!
This would be a good clown field trip!
The kids got to do two art projects while they were there. First, they colored in a butterfly and attached it to a dowel. Later, they worked with clay, either pinch pots or wheel-throwing.
As they left, Myrna, who created the place, also presented with them a print.
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Loft Building
May 25, 2009Last Christmas Trish told Grampa Rick that she’d like to get a trundle for the daybed in Orion’s room, and he sent some money toward that project. Then we got talking about a bunk-bed or loft. I was in favor of a loft to use more of the vertical space and keep the space under the daybed for storing giant Tinker Toys and such. Then I started investigating loft plans and looking at various styles with Orion. We got excited. It could look like a castle, a boat, a rocket ship, a climbing wall, or even a tree house like the lofts they have in his Kindergarten at Waldorf.
We needed a master craftsman with mad skillz and a phat workshop, or something. I started asking around.
One day at the Brigg’s YMCA, in the hot tub, I was making small talk with Chris, a friend of ours from Sherwood forest. One of the merry men, as it were. I had an association in my mind between him and Confident Lumber (Sure wood), like he had worked with Olympia Salvage. So I asked, “Do you know anything about building loft beds?” As a matter of fact, he did. He had purchased a kit to build one but never made it. He had a box of all the necessary hardware he’d let me have!
I had to go on-line and buy the plans for $10, but I’d save $40 on parts right away.
Months passed, and we finally arranged with Marci Sunshine’s husband, John to use his shop and expertise.
These are photos from the third visit. We’ve put in over 10 hours on the project already.
The head board piece is in the foreground, the foot with steps is in the background.
I really appreciate all the DIY organization he’s done. Everything’s in the red/ grey motif.
Here’s Lazy Susan’s bits!
John’s making the ‘lap cuts’ in the diagonal brace using his radial arm saw. He has rigged all of the fixed power tools with their own shop vacs.
But can I really trust the guy who misspells ‘PENCILES’ on a drawer label?
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Burgled!
March 24, 2009On the way home after the field trip, Trish had to warn me that our front door was broken. She couldn’t figure it out. It was the strangest thing she’d ever seen. She’d just pushed it open and it fell apart with a huge crack in the frame. We should call the landlord and get him to look at it.
We dropped her off downtown and went home.
I chalked it up to shoddy workmanship or wood rot. The house seemed normal. However, a box of mementos that usually lived on the closet shelf was on the bed, and somebody had knocked over a glass of water that had been on the floor next to the bed. Annoyed but not yet suspicious, I had a nap.
Then, I found the pdf of the manual for the camera so I could reset the auto timer to 10 seconds instead of 2 seconds. Trish had bought it from a pawn shop, and it only came with the Spanish manual, so I’d downloaded the English version. When I figured out what buttons to press I looked for the camera but didn’t see it. No big deal. It was probably around somewhere.
Late that night I asked Trish to keep an eye out for it, and she did a search. She noticed more stuff missing: the video camera and portable dvd player (which was beside the bed) were gone. So was her gym bag and tennis shoes.
That night I dreamed about being trapped in a friend’s house while a Grizzly Bear roamed beyond some French doors.
Goldilocks + Burglery= Bear Nightmare!
None of us handled it very well. Trish thought her final paper had been stolen. Orion was afraid of what would happen when the police came. Jusby ran off his mouth when he should’ve been stuffing it with his foot.
[edit. Trish found her Tennis shoes at her office.]
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Soul Alchemy pt. 1
March 13, 2009
The beautiful big room at Waldorf. It might have stayed empty on a Friday night, but for a few intrepid and industrious souls who insisted that this workshop happen. Firstly, Eve (pronounced ‘ev’ cuz she’s French-Canadian), decided that she would fly up from San Francisco just to take the class!
I told Dawn that I would publicize the heck out of it, but it didn’t actually spur anyone to contact her directly. On Wednesday, Dawn called after sending out an e-mail that it would be her last workshop in Olympia.
She’s planning on splitting her time between British Columbia and Switzerland. She’s also planning on taking an old bus to Burning Man and possibly the Yukon!
She asked me to look into some of the legal issues around insuring a former King County City Bus. I went willingly down the rabbit hole and found that it is definitely better to convert it into a House-Bus than leave the 22 seats in.
On Friday afternoon (around 5:15) I got a call from Bubble~Trouble. She was wondering what to eat and wear before the class. She was starting to peel potatoes for soup. I told her, “No way! You don’t have time for that. It starts at 6!”
I arrived and found Jona waiting outside the locked building. She’d accepted a personal invitation from Dawn just 45 minutes prior. Then Dawn pulled up with Eve AND Heather. It was like a clown car, spilling forth with clowns, costumes, and props.
My mood lifted enormously. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic final workshop.
Then Heidi arrived and we all started playing. After about an hour we were exhausted and meditating when Dawn went over to open a windown and saw someone else arriving.
It wasn’t Bubble~Trouble at all, but Pauline.
Eventually, we all got to do the sheet exercise.
It was full of epiphanies and catharses, empty nests and crones, inflated supermen and bits of fluff. But no potato soup.
Maybe it’s in the crock pot, and she’ll bring it tomorrow.
Heather, Eve, Pauline, Dawn and Jona (not pictured: Heidi)
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Meeting the King of Olympia
March 1, 2009We inherited some furniture last July and left it to be reupholstered. It never happened, so Trish decided to reclaim it and find another guy for the job.
A client and her friends helped us get in in a truck and over to our house. Now it’s taking over the office and Orion’s using it to make forts.
[edit. The King drove his van over and picked up all the furniture! GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!]
One of the friends expressed an interest in being a clown! Possible collaboration and possible client for his girlfriend’s birthday party. The actual birthday conflicts with Monday’s alley meeting, and he’s taking her to the Olympus Day Spa. Last time he gets to go before he officially transitions! Woot! Just the kind of alternative clowns we need to spice up the alley.
Today Trish told me that I could meet the new upholsterer at his Open House. We brought Orion and Corbyn down for an adventure and snacks. They both enjoyed a vintage space game he had. We played Chess and Stratego.
Roger and Me! I’m happy to get some hummus! and a practically new couch, chair and ottoman!
Here’s Trish with Roger Robel, The King of Olympia!
Trish gave out her card and I gave out mine. Then the synchronicity started flying. Roger said that a clown was coming! It was his friend Maureen. She didn’t arrive before we left, but another fellow there wanted to start a clown group.
What a co-inky-dink! I’m looking for new clowns to join my group!
I gave Tim my card and he asked, “Are you the one who does the pies in the face?”
Tim was looking for something like a clown support group because the jugglers can get together; the cyclists can get together; but what about the clowns?
Well, we have an alley, and there’s two meetings this month as a matter of fact. Also the NW Festival of Clowns will be in Olympia this October!
Tim’s thinking of clown cops at the Artesian Well with Coke and Pepsi patches on their uniforms, checking people’s names on their clipboards to grant them access to the water. Hmmm… okay. Roger says he’ll be open on Arts Walk but has nothing planned yet. Hmmm. okay-OKAY!
Here’s Roger’s two daughters, Rocket and Lucinda cutting the ribbon outside the store, conveniently located at 206th 4th Ave near what used to be Plenty! (and is now plenty of EMPTY!). The girls don’t want a clown at their birthdays. One wants a mermaid. The other wants gymnastics or bowling. The mom might want a clown.
Roger cuts the Pineapple Couch Cake made by Jesse. He’s not a professional cake decorator, but he’d be willing to do a clown themed cake!
Then we all realized that no one had brought plates or forks or napkins, so we ate it with our fingers!
You could try to visit the website on Roger’s card, but nothing came up for me.
http://kingofolympia.com or you could see a proto-site http://kingofolympia.blogspot.com
or just walk in, he’s open for business!
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Reports – 2nd grade style
January 16, 2009Justin Wright 1/15/08
Yesterday, I did three fun things.
First, I borrowed a circular saw from the neighbor. Actually, I just wanted my handsaw back, but he offered his electric one that had recently been rediscovered in his closet of a garage. I plugged it in and pruned a few dead branches in the backyard.
Then, I watched a Harry Potter Lego video on YouTube. It was a preview for Order of the Phoenix. There are no new Legos out for Half-Blood Prince.
Last, I read the first few chapters of Deathly Hallows to Orion. I stayed in his room all night.
Clearly, it was a fun night.
Justin Wright 1/16/08
Last night I did three fun things.
First, I worked in the back yard. I pruned the apple and plum trees. I even let Orion go up the ladder and try the loppers.
Then, I pulled up some of the English Ivy and blackberry vines. I found a Donald Duck figure underneath.
Last, we had a surprise evening play date with Isaiah. His mom wanted to go to Miss Morgan’s going away party. Isaiah got to stay for bath and story time. Orion got to sleep in the big bed. Trish stayed out late and got to see Yogoman at the Eastside with tall Sarah and Sandman.
He made his first hundred by selling his Fairy House in preparation for his big move (to Florida and then South Africa!) CLICK to listen or Dowload the MP3 of Isaiah’s Message
Clearly, it was a fun night.
Justin Wright 1/16/09
Tonight I did three fun things.
First, we had another surprise playdate from Isaiah. His mom called to ask if he could have an actual sleep-over. We he arrived I made up some simple sushi of brown rice with sesame oil and Bragg’s (liquid aminos) wrapped in nori seaweed.
Then, we left to go to the library’s reopening celebration for cake and crowd, but we forgot Trish’s keys to turn off her hot stones. We went home for them and one of the neighbor’s new friends asked for a ride to the store and back… and then downtown. Apparently, he needed to buy a used phone for his new girlfriend. En route downtown the new phone rang and a guy told him that it was really HIS phone.
“You mean I just threw away a hundred dollars?”
Finally, we got to the library, but the line for the caricatures was too long for us. Sarah Adorable and Joey Casio knew it would be worth the wait. We got cake instead.
Last, we saw some friends and went home. We stopped at Jack in the Box on the way.
Clearly, it was a fun night.
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Tumwater Halloween House
October 27, 2008I’m Plotting How to Integrate Jusby the Mad (Clown) Hatter into the Tumwater Halloween House 2008. {Current scheme involves LASERS, Flares, Wireless Sound System}
REPOST from myspace
Most of you probably know by now that I (Mike of Eastside Big Tom’s) put on a little fundraiser each year in my yard for the Thurston County Food Bank.
It’s kind of Halloween themed.
This is the tenth year I’ve decorated and invited the general public into my little nightmare of a brain brought to life in my yard.
There’s a lot of construction going on in my neighborhood this year and I could use a little help getting the word out that we’re open this year.
Folks seem to think the road is closed or something. I’m not sure why that is.
Anyways, you can come through the cemetery if you think those pesky road closed signs are for real. No one has enforced them since the project started so it’s hard to imagine they’ll start now.
Park in the cemetery. Everyone does it this time of the year. The Masons are the coolest neighbors in the world. OK, it’s a toss up between them and all the dead folks.
Bring cans of food for the Food Bank. Bring lots, it’s been a rough year for the food bank and they and the people they serve can use the help.
Bring donations for the Other Bank while you’re at it.
Bring $5.00 or five cans of food and enter in a raffle to win one of the select props that I’ll be giving away this year. I’ve given away quite a few displays over the years.
The address is 520 NORTH ST SE across from cemetery and the Masonic Temple.
Short run time this year with Halloween falling on a Friday this year.
Thursday the 30, Friday the 31st and Saturday, November 1st.
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The front yard will be mild and mostly alright for youngsters.
The back yard will cause what I so lovingly refer to as “pee-tastrophes” and may induce nightmares for those under the age of 10. I’ve decided that it’s not been hard core enough in the past so this year you’re all fair game.
You’ve been warned.
Now, back to business.
Since I had no idea for sure until the last week or so that I’d actually be able to open it to the public I’ve not gotten around to being the media whore that I normally am.
I’m asking for something that I don’t normally ask for.
Any chance all 562 of you can repost this for me so that we can actually get folks to come down the road and bring donations.
Now each and every one of you is going to think that the other one is going to do it for me and think you can slack off and not honor my request. Don’t fall into this trap.
Repost it pretty please. Repost it often. Repost it in community blogs that normally hate folks like me.
Any vegetarian/vegan boards that we can crash would be fantastic. I’m down with that.
Thanks to all of you for your continued support and your help.
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Public Art: Wall of Gum in A2
August 31, 2008I’m going to have to continue interspersing the “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” theme with the latest pied faces and clown news. I’ll probably have 14 posts to cover the 14 days Orion and I spent in Ann Arbor.
Right after our lemonade stop we saw this alley that was completely covered in public art: murals, graffiti, and this wall of gum.
I’m not a gum chewer, but Trish and Orion are. I don’t think this changed his mind one bit on that.
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Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor
August 9, 2008
At Nicola’s Books [2513 Jackson Road in the Westgate Shopping Center]
At the Ann Arbor District Library [343 S. 5th in the children's section, Fairy tales and Folklore]
Outside of Selo-Shevel Gallery [301 S Main st]
Outside the Ark [316 S. Main st]
Asian style door along S. Main
The Goblin door on S. Main st
The Peaceable Kingdom [210 S. Main st]
Outside Red Shoes [332 S. Ashley]
In Sweetwaters Cafe [123 W. Washington]
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Atop the Sphere of Influence
June 29, 2008
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Best of 2007
June 8, 2008Maybe I’ll redate this later, but things recently have put me in the mood to thank my lucky stars… or lucky charms… or trix or kix… or… the mercy of the cosmic giggle. *amen*
As April approached we had to look back as well. It was tax season. Since we were OWED money, we were not bound by the April 15th rule. Nevertheless, we looked back at 2007… and looked for deductions for several weeks until we actually filed with Joe Tax.
Then we began to look ahead to the return. Hmm, a turn he tot re-head… *phew~dizzy* Then we got the check.
Then we split it and spent it. Mine was converted to gold dollar coins.
and some small change.
Incredible shrinking dollar. Never underestimate the power of good cents.
To review and preview:
- In January of 2007 I took the Enterprise for Equity Business Readiness workshop. Now I’m poised to take the first ever E4E Summer Intensive, beginning in eight days.
- I was also switched from a substitute to a permanent employee with a retroactive pay raise. I was switched schools in March of 08. I’ve been informed of my ‘reasonable assurance’ of a position in fall.
- I took Paula Biggio’s workshop courtesy of the Big Foot Clown Alley and RNB’s Bobo Scholarship.
- I began serving coffee at the Oly UU. We signed the church book later that year. Trish joined the choir in 08. Orion attended Spirit Play. We all connected with friends and opportunities through the congregation.
- We paid many visits to Rusty Cock Ridge in 07-08, widening their circle of friends with our own.
- I had multiple clown bikes, and it’s time for a new one!
- Delivered my 1st pie on 4.1.07. I’ve delivered 24 in 08!
- Orion played his first team sport: soccer! And he agreed to do it again in 08!
- We went to Sasquatch Fest. Augh. We missed Bjork. We missed Mirah. We missed the Blow. We did stop at Dick and Jane’s spot and Roslyn.
- Trish went to the AMTA conventions.
- I got to go on a field trip to NW Trek for the first time.
- I got to work as a recovering Mad Scientist aka J.B.W.I., Justin Barnabas Wright, Inventor for Camp Invention, a week long experience leading a classroom of junior forensic scientists and inventors. Now I’m poised to sacrifice a 2nd time in order that I can take the E4E training.
- We went to Sherwood forest for the first time, and this time we may stay over the weekend of the 4th (missing two parades!).
- I attended my official 20th High School reunion, AND facilitated a kid-friendly BBQ the following day. Now mom’s yard needs emergency assistance again, and I’ve got to get money to Tony Bracco!
- I spent many hours with master gardener, Marci Sunshine, working her yard and painting her garage.
- I took a Sacred Clowning workshop in 07 and one in 08.
- I took a whole slew of autism workshops.
- We finally had a garage sale. We still need to purge and trade!
- We were visited by relatives from afar. Relatively, a farther.
- Jusby celebrated a lot of birthdays. At my new school a girl came up who recognized me from a party for her friend. She was a twin. She and her sister kept cutting in line, stepping on my lines, getting in my grill in other words. When it was face-painting time I gave them special treatment. When she saw me again in the classroom she asked,
“Why did you paint a C on my forehead?”
I replied, “Did I paint a D on your sister’s forehead?”
“Yes!”
“To tell you apart, of course!”
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