Geek vs Life

So, like many of you are aware, I’ve been traveling to visit my friends out here in the eastern wastes know as Spokane. Much to my pleasure however, there is more to do here than just drink and look at dirt all day. One such fun activity is to go out and see art openings that happen here from time to time. Last night (11/07/08) I had the pleasure to witness the opening of Harrell Fletcher and Marc Dombrosky’s art.

Mr. Fletcher’s medium was a video they had playing in the main lobby. At first glance it seemed to be a bunch of elderly folks speaking nonsense with REALLY close shots of their faces. However, I feel that the simple look of the piece was intentional because it definitely drew me in and I discovered that the people were actually quoting James Joyce’s adaptation of Ulysseys. The video is called The Problem of Possible Redemption and an excerpt can be found on his website. I highly recommend checking it out at this website you’ll love it.

The other artist who was featured was Mr. Dombrosky. His medium was found cardboard and embroidery. Basically, this collection is a gathering of signs from the homeless of Seattle and Tacoma and he embroiders the sayings and phrases. Now I don’t know a heck of a lot about art, but I do have to say that the dichotomy of sad and beaten cardboard with nice embroidery is very eye catching and very moving at the same time. This picture is one of the many signs he had on display.

Of course, all of this could not be possible without the space to show it all in. So I have to give special mention to Saranac Art Projects here in Spokane. It is a great place to show off art and is totally not for profit. You walk in and you look around. It’s pretty nice that there are still places like that around, especially if you’re like me and from Seattle, seriously, when’s the last time you saw art that is awesome for free? So if you’re out here look them up!

Their website:  http://artocracy.blogs.com/saranac_art_projects/

Their Address: W. 25 Main Street

Spokane, Wa 99201

So I just finished Cormac McCarthy’s The Road on my way to Spokane. All in all it’s a heck of a book, very well written and a lot of interesting side stories. It made Oprah’s book club after all, though I don’t know if maybe I’m just a pessimist but I don’t know if I’d give it that kind of accolades.

The basic synopsis of the book is that a father and son are stuck in post-apocalyptic America. The whole world is covered in ashes and crazy people who are just trying to survive. For the most part, it’s a pretty good book. Like I mentioned before, it’s well written and it does keep you interested, but there is one big problem that I really have trouble getting past. The writer has this way of drawing you in where he references things that you should know about. In his book No Country For Old Men he refers to “good ol’ boys” and the like that most people our age know about. However in this book he references to some of the other factions existing in the world but unfortunately, it’s left up to the reader to figure out how they connect. Luckily I think I caught it, but I’m still just weirded out and not sure. Honestly, the book lacks direction all around.

All in all the story is neat because the father and son are never named, which adds a certain strangeness to the whole story, I feel like I can even connect better because I can almost find myself in that situation without names. And the scenes with the group of Mad Max-ish people and the cannibals running around are pretty intense. Unfortunately, there are at least 200 other pages where, despite good writing, you are waiting for a bus. All in all, read it if you’ve got nothing else to pick up and you’ll be entertained. Don’t waste your time if you’ve got a few old classics you’ve been neglecting. 6.5 out of 10 for all those interested in things like that.

So i’ve been traveling the last few days and I’m chock full of fun interviews and stories of my tavels. As it turns out, Spokane (where i’ve been… i know right?) has more going for it than a river and pawn shops. The music and the art is also pretty darn impressive. Coming soon: An interview with a musician I saw, a write up on a pretty freakin’ good artist friend, and if you’re nice, a write up and interview with another “local” musician. Most of this could not be possible without the work of the gal’s at the Empyrean so if you are an East-Ender or know someone out here, make damn sure they come out and get coffee from them. More later, Distance out.

More of a demonstration of Wii capabilities than game. Makes lots of noise, and would be an awesome game to play with small children.

Trust us, we’re going somewhere with these…