Blog du Wren

Troothpicks Are Back!

I trust you all know about the amazing product sweeping the nation, the product that your next party shouldn't be without: Troothpicks! If you don't know of them (or don't yet have your cupboards stocked), check out the website at www.troothpicks.com.

Speaking of Troothpicks, I got my first order in years(!), only my third order ever from a random customer. I was so caught off guard that I figured it must have been spam. But sure enough, the money was in the account and it was all legit. Needless to say, I dove deep into the stats* to see where this manna from heaven came from. The answer: a google search of "non-toxic" dinner party hors d'oerves.

I'm so giddy about the order that I found myself starting to think about starting back up the business (or at least promoting it more than just as a conversation starter at parties*). So get 'em while the gettings good and not only have a fun addition to your next party, but also support yours truly.

Tuesday February 21 2012

File under: misc

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Spoontastic

I like making things, esp. making useful things. Most times, I would much rather have a crappy (yet totally functional) thing made by me than a fancy, well made (and also totally functional) thing made by someone else. Perhaps that explains my passable but not top notch comics, crosswords, knitting, and soon to be cabin.

Anyway, the new genre of Things I Made is wooden stuff, in this case spoons. I'm greatly enjoying learning about what woods to use, how to cure wood, and about the tools. I haven't gotten to the complete stage on any of said spoons, but in their current state, they would do just a dandy job of stirring soup or getting it to your mouth. Someday, however, I'd like to get to the point of making some nice enough that I might feel good giving them as gifts.

All this woodworking has me looking at what else I might have an attempt at. In addition to spoons, I've started a spatula and a bowl(!). When/if those ever turn out, I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday January 25 2012

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Snow Day 2012

Not more than 48 hours after I was musing about how I would really love it if we had a good snowy winter storm, the powers that be obliged, and obliged with fervor. We here in Western Washington got (and, if reports are true, will continue to get) a good dumping, and I couldn't be happier.

Day 1 took me out for a nice walk in the woods in Bellingham. I covered many miles and smiled the whole way. I made it up to where snow in the woods was displayed straight out of a Robert Frost poem*.

Day 2 was an adventure in getting from Bellingham to Anacortes on the bus when, unexpectly, Island Transit was shut down. Big props to Skagit Transit* for being there and doing a great job! When the roads are bad, people need public transportation more than ever. (The above picture is taken at Skagit Station)

We were treated to even more snow for day 3, and despite the extra , I'm as stoked as ever. I've got no place else to go, so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow*.

(As a side note, in looking back through the archive, I'm realizing that just about every winter, I have a snow post, which must say something about my relationship with snow. Anyway, with that thought in mind, here's my archival self-portait).

Wednesday January 18 2012

File under: Anacortes, misc

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Winter In the NW

It's starting to look like I will be spending my winter here in the Northwest. It has been quite a number of years* since I've done a full winter here, and I'm looking forward to it (albeit with a little trepidation).

I look forward to taking on many projects that have been stacking up as I gallivant from here to there. Hopefully many of the projects will make for good blog fodder (to fill in for the lack of gallivanting posts).

And who knows, maybe an opportunity to escape the rainy days of the NW will present itself and I just won't be able to pass it up. You never know, which is what makes life so exciting.

Monday January 9 2012

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Friday Comics Go Big

In lieu of this week's comic, I have a favor to ask. Well, it is a story combined with a matter of pride combined with a favor. Please bear with me.

In my seemingly never ending web wanderings, I came across a comic site that, instead of posting its own comics, features various other comics from across the web. Since this was somewhat in line with what Friday Comics were back in the day when I had all sorts of guest artists covering for my lack of artistic skill, I had to investigate further. It turns out that in addition to showcasing various comic artists' work, they have some incentive to submit: the most viewed/liked/shared comic can win big bucks!

Needless to say, I submitted one, and much too my surprise, it was accepted! Now comes the favor part: go check it out. If you feel comfortable, share it with your friends, "like" it, or even tweet it. Any traffic, reposts, or social mentions it gets before Jan 17 gets me one step closer to the big bucks i.e. becoming a professional comic artist!

And for your help, I promise you this: I will have a new comic up next week. No holiday excuses, no late posting, no "the deserted island I'm on doesn't have internet"s: there will be a new comic next week for sure...unless you don't go to Potluck Comics and check out my entry. Thanks!!

Friday December 30 2011

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2012 Bellingham Circus Guild Calendar

It's that time of year again, time for the Bellingham Circus Guild calendar FUNdraiser. This year's calendar marks the 3rd year we've solicited photos from members, slaved away at photoshop*, and haunted kinkos in an attempt to share some fun and maybe make a little bit of money.

This year, we decided, instead of one layout and just dropping photos in, we would create 12 different layouts. Sure it's 12 times the work, but hopefully it will be a lot more fun. From all the feedback we've gotten so far, it is.

Where can you get one of these fine pieces of wall candy? you ask. Come to December's Vaudevillingham and you won't be able to walk out the door without being capitalistically assaulted to buy one. Or, contact me. I know a guy. The tentative price is $10 and it goes to help support the Cirque Lab, the practice/performance/teaching space for the Bellingham Circus Guild. So get yours today!

Because I think the whole thing is so freaking neat, here are few previews: August and June. To see more, buy a copy! Or have a look at 2011 or 2010.

Friday December 2 2011

File under: circus, misc

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A Little Slice of Heaven

Years ago, I had a real job*. I worked in Seattle in a cubicle. The work wasn't bad at all. The commute however was a drag, so I would often stay on the city. One of the ways I would treat myself was to visit my favorite pizza place, pizzeria pagliaccis.

It's been a while since i've roamed the urban streets of my past stomping grounds. Tonight, however, I find myself with a couple hours to kill as I wait for a predictably late craigslist ride. What better time to treat oneself than the present. Yum!

While the pizza (and salad, especially) and nostalgia are worth a blog post of its own, I'm using this opportunity more to try out mobile posting from my new toy. That's right! This post is done completely from Non-a-phone. HTML on a mobile keyboard isn't the easiest thing on the world, but I'm pleased to prove that it is doable! (although the process is tedious enough that none of us should get used to this up to the minute drivel)

Anyway, I've got pizza to eat (and thumbs to let recover)

Tuesday November 29 2011

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A New Toy

I splurged. I bought a new toy. (Although, if the IRS asks, it is a tool for work (and it kind of is).) This weekend, I bought the new Samsung Galaxy 4 player. It sounds like a phone. It looks like a phone. It even cost as much as a phone. But it's not a phone.

For a really long time, I've been looking for a portable media/internety thing. I remember way back before the iPod Touch, I was looking at the Sony Mylo (now so out of date it makes me cringed). The things that pushed me over the edge are: I need a new camera, many of the houses I now housesit at have no land line but do have wifi internet, and being able to send and receive texts while waiting for someone can really simplify communications. And Angry Birds. I felt I was really missing out so much without Angry Birds.

It is my hope that along with all the great communications things it can do*, it will benefit this blog. Although the above picture isn't so great*, one ain't so bad. I guess I'll just have to stop doing exciting things in low light... And, one of the many benefits over the iPod Touch, I can crop and upload the images directly to BdW*.

Anyway, I'm just 24 hours into playing with it, so I'm sure I'll learn much more *. In the meantime, do you have any android app suggestions that I simply can't live without? Drop them below in the comments.

Monday November 14 2011

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Bobland

Most of us go to museums to see art. Sculptures are usually enjoyed in public squares or parks. For my dad, however, art is right outside his back door.

Bobland*, located across the water from Seattle, isn't your everyday suburban home. Giant bones, faces, and balls mostly made of concrete and rebar turn the backyard of this outskirts property into a place where you can roam around and always see new. And it's not as though if it is just art on display. The art integrates with normal backyard too!

Each time visit Bobland, I find it an inspirational reminder that wondrous things exist in the most unexpected places, all it takes to make art is action, and art is not only something that hangs on a wall in a museum. Someday, maybe, these reminders will help me craft my own space into something more than just utilitarian. Until then, I'll always look forward to the experience at Bobland.

Friday June 17 2011

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Shoenicycle (Part 1)

I've been putting off this post until the project is complete, but I can't wait any longer. Completion is within sight, but I gotta share what I've got so far.

I introduce you to the . Totally custom made from salvaged parts (and shoes), it's been a project almost a year in the making. With bucketloads of help from , the frame was , *, and brazed at his bike fabrication in Montreal. The wheel* was put together in Anacortes with my old shoes that I knew I had been keeping around for some reason. Tweaks to the axle/pedal mechanism were made on the spot of the first test ride at the Cirque Lab in Bellingham.

The first (and second) test ride attempts both identified problems, so officially, it has yet to be ridden. But with new steel crank arms, I trust that the last problem will be overcome soon. Hopefully, within a month, I'll have a video of this frankenstein of a machine being ridden around with glee. Then comes working up an act for Vaudevillingham. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for March.

Wednesday February 2 2011

File under: circus, misc

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