Halloween 2012

This year we had every intention of pulling off a Mayan end of the world display but something stood in our way. The 38 totes of stuff we have from the last ten years of haunting up our home. Once the big ruin walls and multiple circular movie screens were built, the totes were pulled out of their attic summer home and spread about.

To our initial theme's dismay, we fell in love all over again with the items we have collected over the years. Our memories associated with each piece, whether it be what we where doing the day it was purchased or built or the specific scream of the child that came back to us upon lifting the lids on our plastic Rubbermaid coffins.

We couldn't leave them stowed away.

Here is a little artsy cellphone video I made after the 300 or so TOT's left for the evening. 

I hope you enjoy.

Happy Halloween.

Facebook:The Johanson Halloweenland

True patience and creativity

I wouldn't mind seeing what kind of sweater she could make. Probably the coolest friggin' sweater ever. That's what kind!

Check out more here.

As a man who has basically spent his stage life embedded in distortion at a break neck speed, I sometimes hunger for a little less malady and a bit more melody. When searching for something new to fill my mind and ears, I often find myself falling for a pretty voice over a catchy energetic riff. Either I am just getting old or my tastes are broadening. Regardless, I find the harmonies these two perform to be like comfort food for the soul.

Tolex Icon

I have been staring at my musical gear for some time now and counting the war wounds. Multiple musical miles have been driven through these loudspeakers for my insanity. Whether by me with items I purchased new or had assistance with on many a used procurement by previous accomplices.

Up to this point, I have left the Tolex to fly as it may. Let them amps stand proud with their matching speaker grille tears and crooked casters. I salute them and their vintage medals of dishonor. Yet sometimes we all wonder about a little nip and tuck.

I have witnessed many a small business begin in this small little nook of creative re-utilization. Artisans in their own right repairing and recreating potentially better looking creations where a beaten warrior once stood.

The folks over at Aftershock Design Co are making some beautiful cabinets.

I also have to mention So Cal's very own Miyako Designs . The two tone Tolex work as well as the staining on some of their other pieces is just plain cool.

Both company's specialty is making their own brand of equipment but repairs and renovations can be done. I am seriously considering a two tone blend of black and this...

Check out what both company's have to offer or go it alone. There are plenty of vids over at Youtube.

Playboy

Recently answered an ad on Craigslist for some free Playboys. 1967 through 2001 to be precise. A couple of them are missing but overall very complete. I am really enjoying going through them and looking at all the ....advertisements.

My best friend

I just found a couple boxes of Me

Set up the music room in the house. All of my amps, flyers, lyrics, CD's, records, cassettes are all in one burnable location.

I thought I was out or lost several things that I was surprised to find. A 100 Self Destruckt/Yates Kids splits, Bitchslap 7 " and my most proud release, The URBN DK/Bitchslap split. I might redo the cover art just because I did such a cheesy job on the original.

For a review

Bitchslap & URBN DK « Schizophrenic Melodies

Illegal Use of Your Future - Bitchslap Review

Retail Therapy

Sometimes shopping can cure everything. It provides a great distraction while also offering inspiration to an upcoming project for which your vision may not have reached completion. Two stores that often have a few surprises for me are Restoration Hardware and Z Gallerie. After a recent trip, I found the following pieces of goodness.

This Apothecary beverage dispenser would look amazing on the bar filled with Blood Orange Margaritas

My affinity for skulls places this one in high regard. Imagine looking into a reaper's robe to have this guy smiling back at you

I see this crystal Octopus as part of a sea fairing fortune teller display on top of a column covered in silk. Lit from beneath with a color changing LED awash in green, purple and red.   

My mind began to spin at all the Steampunk ideas that I could do with all of the different gears they had on display. A collection of these 34" babies need to be on my wall all hooked up to motors.  

Upon working my way over to Restoration Hardware, my skull desires were once again intrigued. I have been trying to figure the best way to incorporate a forest of  Wailing Trees with my own flavor. Branches remind me of antlers and horns so why not incorporate these into that concept. 

My Steampunk gears continued to spin at RH with their pieces as well 

I long for the day my loot can fill a treasure chest as large as this 62" beast. 

What are some of your favorite places for retail inspiration?

Free Punk

For those of you into looking for something new to listen to, I offer this to you

http://thepunksite.com/freemusic/

On my way to the hot tub. I will just leave these here until I return

I hereby banish bad days to some calendar that nobody follows anymore

Regardless of how you spell it, tomorrow is going to be ...

Guess what they are selling

Dirt Devil-The Exorcist from MrPrice2U on Vimeo.

The Call of The Tide

While relaxing in the shade of my beautiful Blood Orange tree this morning, a random thought entered my mind. Now either of those occurrences probably do not shock any of you but I had to start this blog post somewhere.

I had an urge to take my little girl on an exploration of tide pools. So as any overly cyber connected father would do, I grabbed my phone and searched out my options. The fine folks over at Double The Adventure, a site that points many great activities for some California family fun, just so happened to identify Little Corona Del Mar Beach as the best bet.

So off I went to determine the tide schedule and loaded up the wife and kid in the Ontario Speedwagon for our days activities.

 

I now present to you a moment with me while lost in a lens...
(Click the image for a larger version)

We all knew that free food will bring in the drunks but who knew that Taco Nite came from a mine? (No Place like home p1 4)

Continuing my adventures that were started HERE, this news story comes from the lovely portion of my homeland known as Antigo

FIRM CONSIDERING TACONITE MINE IN NORTH CITES UPBEAT ECONOMIC DATA

June 3, 2011

The proposed Gogebic Taconite iron ore mine will generate approximately $1.4 billion in total state and local tax revenue over the expected 35-year life of the first phase of the mine, according to the Preliminary Tax Impact study recently completed by NorthStar Economics, Inc. — an consulting and research firm specializing in analysis of the Wisconsin economy.

The report, funded by Gogebic Taconite, said construction and operation of the proposed mine would create long-term direct and indirect tax revenues for local communities and the state.

If plans and permits are approved, the mine would be located about six miles west of Mellen in Ashland County. It would be situated on the south side of Highway 72, which runs between Hurley and Mellen.

"This Preliminary Tax Impact study clearly shows the extremely positive long-term economic benefit of the proposed mine," Bill Williams, president of Gogebic Taconite, said.

"The $1.4 billion in taxes generated by the mine will be an economic boost to both the Gogebic region and the state of Wisconsin for generations."

Actual News Story continued HERE