Blog du Wren

Pumpkins to Potatoes and More

What a weekend! After what feels like non-stop weekends of festivals for the past month, this weekend I found myself checking out 3 more. First off, the Pumpkin Pitch in Burlington. I've been wanting to go to this for years but never thinking about it until Halloween which is too late. This year, however, I saw the sign while riding the bus* so made it happen. Basically, competitors build and huck pumpkins. The winning team chucked one over 1500 feet!

From the pumpkins to potatoes, we headed to Mount Vernon to check out their harvest festival which was highlighted by a world record attempt for the largest . While the spectacle was fun and it was great to run into so many folks I knew, the potatoes were rather : undercooked, cold, and lacking any spices whatsoever. Luckily, a hop over to the Skagit coop for some cleansed the palette.

Lastly, after somehow missing the action for the last 5 or more years, I walked to downtown Anacortes to check out the Oyster Run, our town's annual motorcycle rally. In a word, it was big. So so so many motorcycles and people in black leather. While it was interesting to stroll through and see all the action, I can't say that I'm so excited that I'm looking forward to next year. But a party is a party and it was definitely good for the businesses of A-train.

All in all, a fun weekend. Who would have thought our little corner of the state could be so exciting!

Monday September 26 2011

File under: Anacortes, events

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FC 147 - If a Tree Chokes in the Woods...

This week represents another co-opted comic idea, but it was just too good to pass up. Don't worry, it's not stolen from another comic, just life.

On another, non-thievery note, I tried a little experiment this go 'round. I didn't use the straight line tool at all*. One surprising note is that it went a whole lot quicker. Maybe it was from content (fewer people always makes for faster comics), or maybe the traditional way is that much faster. Overall, I'm not displeased with how it turned out.

Anyway, for this first day of fall, I hope you start it out with a chuckle. Happy Friday!

Friday September 23 2011

File under: comic

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Band of Bellingham Boy Beards

Bellingham has a pretty amazing juggling scene. That point was made quite clear this weekend at the Lopez Jugglefest when a Seattle* juggler sought out Bellingham jugglers to try out some complicated patterns. The patterns were a success, partially because there were a few of us that have been doing them throughout the summer at Bellingham's Juggling Club, which is quite impressive in numbers and skill, esp. for the town's small size.

Another thing about Bellingham jugglers is the tendency toward beardedness. In homage to this, I put together the 3rd annual Band of Bellingham Boy Beards skit at the public show* at Lopez. As always, the skit was meh. We would rather spend our time working on 16-club Philadelphia lines rather than rehearse for a silly act. But nonetheless, it was fun.

Maybe next year, I'll plan the BoBBBs skit more than 4 hours in advance so that we can perform something a little more fun and entertaining. But whatever the case, the Lopez Jugglefest is the highlight of the juggling year and only 51 more weeks until we can do it again!

Wednesday September 21 2011

File under: juggling

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FC 146 - Soups On

To start, I have to get a few excuses out of the way. First off, if you happened to notice the lack of a Friday Comic last week, it was because I was Sh'banging*. While it would have been possible to take a break from all the preparations and fun to quickly put together a comic, I chose to be in the moment instead. Secondly, the reasons for the late post time on today's comic are two-fold. I am on Lopez Island, helping set up for Juggle Fest (possibly the best juggling festival on the West Coast). Last night, I was down at the bakery mixing, baking, transporting, and testing all the wonderful baked goods for the fest. Then, the power went out all over the island. I guess thats one of the hiccups of island life.

Anyway, without further ado, here's this week's comic. One benefit of the week delay is that I got to "workshop", bouncing ideas and punch lines off a few people. The one I finally setted on wasn't even close to what I was originally thinking of, so I'm super glad for the help.

Friday September 16 2011

File under: comic

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Soap Box 2011

Thanks to Luke for filming and putting this together!

Tuesday September 13 2011

File under: quarry, video

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2011 Soapbox Shbang

Yep, folks, it's that time again. Time for the Lookout Arts Quarry's annual fundraiser/ridiculous-fest called Off Road Soapbox Sh'bang. And this fourth annual installation of derby racing madness promises to be even better than years past. Each year, the quarry gets a little bit better with improved access, additional features, and new areas uncovered. This year, more carnival games will be the new attraction for some. But for most, the non-OSHA approved water slide will be feature of the year*.

But the real draw is homemade derby cars being powered by gravity and creativity alone flying down the hill, over jumps, and avoiding swinging hay bales all vying for the coveted golden goggles. In between heats, music and circus will occupying the various stages and last year's super-well received Sideshow will have it's own tent (complete with oddities, sword swallowing, and more!).

Hopefully you are all sufficiently enticed to make a plan to come check out the quarry and all the antics we can pack into one day. The big day is this Saturday, Sept 10. For more information, directions, etc., check out www.lookoutarts.com. I hope to see you there!

Tuesday September 6 2011

File under: quarry

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Tall Bikes

Tall bikes seem to be the rage these days with young artsy types, esp. in the more artsy urban areas (I'm specifically thinking of Portland here). And while I've always thought they were pretty neat, I also thought of them as not very utilitarian*. I can't imagine riding through the streets of a city knowing that if I hit a red light, I'm pretty much toast. Well, while my utilitarian view of them haven't changed, getting a chance to ride some tall bikes was a whole lot of fun.

For those of you who don't know, tall bikes are much like what you would think: bikes that are tall. They range from slightly taller than your average bike to you-need-a-ladder-and-wing-man-to-mount-them height. The ones got to try out weren't of the latter variety. (The largest one available was the one I am on in the picture to the left, which presented mounting challenges of its own.)

The opportunity to experiment with these mix of form and function was provided by the Zenga bros. at Bobland. And I must say they are fun. Riding around, so far above that which is around you is quite a novelty. And the looks you get from passers by just adds to the fun. So while I'm not about to go building my own tall bike (welding skillz and general bike repair handiness come in quite useful), I do have a newfound appreciation for this twist on a classic.

Sunday September 4 2011

File under: transportation

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FC 145 - Teach a Man to Fish

The idea for this comic came while on Chautauqua tour where over half of our troupe of 49 people could juggle in some capacity. I suppose technically, the idea wholly came from our bus driver. I did, however, tweak a thing or two before comicizing it. I hope it works.

Perhaps this is a joke that only jugglers or circus folk will get. Or perhaps only we will think it is funny. But it is one of those pretty close to true jokes in that most of the jugglers I know aren't employed, at least in the traditional sense. Whether that is an effect of the juggling or perhaps a cause, I couldn't tell you. What I do know is that if the drawing was done a little better*, this would make a fun t-shirt for to sell at a juggling festival. Maybe it is time that Friday Comics hits the product mainstream. T-shirts, mugs, calendars, and more for everyone!

Or maybe I will just try to keep comic coming on a regular basis. Happy Friday!

Thursday September 1 2011

File under: comic

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Racing Stripe Beard

After 5 years(!)* of creating and documenting various beard removals, I'm finding it harder and harder to come up with new creative styles to sport (if only for long enough to take a picture). Luckily, beard removal day recently fell while hanging out with the circus. And if ever I've seen creative people, it's in the circus.

I decided to turn the reins over to a guest artist and let her do her worst. These awesome racing stripes are what she came up with. Not bad at all. I even let myself be talked into keeping said beard style for 36 hours (which included at least 2 trips to the grocery store and one trip*). The next day, when I went for the for the clean slate, there was another fun in stage as well.

I kind of like this guest artist concept of the beard series. I may have to stick with it. If you've got an idea, sign up now!

Tuesday August 30 2011

File under: beard

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FC 144 - I Dont Get It

Monday is the new Friday! Okay, not forever, but for this week, Monday will act in lieu of Friday for comic day. "Why?" you ask. Well, Thursday, normal comic posting day*, I was down at Bobland checking out the the Zenga Bros/Winking Circle Eccentrification Tour. (P.S. It was awesome.) Then, Friday-Sunday, I was at the quarry for the first Lookout Arts Quarry Circus Campout. (P.S. It was awesome too.) So that's why the comic is coming on Monday instead of Friday.

As for the comic, meh. Again, not a great execution from concept to comic. But hopefully people will see the idea behind it all and maybe have a chuckle. Anyway, happy Monday!

Sunday August 28 2011

File under: comic

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