Friday, January 30, 2009

Ann Arbor Pt. 2 - "Man-night"

Usually, when you say you're going to "Man-night" around a group of people, you hear crickets. But to a certain group of individuals (Bobby, Bro, Matt, Kingman, Cohn, Darren, Irwin, and I) Man-night is a very special night. What is Man-night? Simple. Back in '07, Bobby and I decided that Thursday nights we would go to Buffalo Wild Wings for their 50 cent boneless wing special, 23 oz. Bud, chain-smoking, and 30 TV's. It was also a rule that you could not bring your girlfriend, wife, etc. It was kinda like fight club...well...not really. Here's a shot of the State theatre as you approach BW3's.

Little by little, Bobby and I were joined by all our close friends. And when my bro and I were asked to DJ at the Alley Bar, we decided to make it on Man-night. Thats when things started to get out of hand, a lot of black-outs, trips to the darkside, and uncomfortable Fridays at work. Man-night ended shortly after I left Ann Arbor last summer, but we thought we should bring it back. Here is the entrance.

I was very excited to see a little Kingman.

One of 3 glasses being devoured.

A little bit o' Bobby.

A little bit o' Josie.

A little bit o' CGAA (Coolest Guy in Ann Arbor).

Yes, I know. I asked the waitress for a group shot. What? I'm a visitor.

I ordered 8 Hot, and 8 Hot BBQ. Delicious.

Shortly after...

And shortly after we left, a couple of blocks later, I had to make an emergency pit stop at this BP restroom. Not Cool.

We decided to go to the Eight Ball. Hasn't changed much.

You really don't want to take your cute iPhone out at the Eight Ball and start taking pictures. It's not that kind of place. I kept it in my pocket until our next stop. Back at ABC. Here's Bobby, starting to get what we call "Elaine's boyfriend's voice." You know, Putty.

Got a little bit o' Ewin to meet up with us.

CGAA has his own reserved mug at ABC, of course.

I took a picture of myself. At this point things were getting sloppy. I couldn't even hold my phone. I think we went back to Bobby's for some more debauchery. Sorry I couldn't be pure paparazzi. Tonight it will be Pistons vs. Celtics, followed by Beer Pong tournament in Bobby's carpeted apt. I will try and hold it together and blog. Til next time...

Ann Arbor Pt. 1

My parents are extremely generous and bought me a ticket to Ann Arbor as a reward for finishing my application to UNM. Here is what you see as you approach the winter wonderland. Good thing I got my coat out of storage.

Rocking out on the plane and anxious to see our friends and....

OSIRIS!

We got to Bobby's apartment and immediately cracked some Miller Lite. Coincidentally (gay) we were both wearing the same shirt. That sick NEEDS brand from San Diego.

After shooting the sh$t for a minute, we stepped over to Arbor Brewing Co. for some delicious beers and crumpets. Julie stole my scarf. I wasn't used to drinking Arbor beers, and after 3 porters and some darts I had a nice buzz going.

The view from the dart board window. It hasn't stopped snowing since we got here.

Here I am in the Arbor bathroom. I was in here more than I was anywhere else, I had broken the seal. We went back to Bobby's place soon after the 3 porters and continued to drink. It was a good first day.

The next day, Tuesday, meant $1 burgers at Bar Louie. My favorite. I never missed a Tuesday at Louie when I lived here. I picked up some tobacco and rolling papers from Maison Edwards to accompany my refreshing beer.

Bobby and I.

Josephine enjoying herself tremendously with the boys.

Ahhhhhh. Burger, Beer, Tots. I've dreamt of this moment.

Close up. I hope this picture has made you get up and get a burger for lunch or dinner or what have you.

Two nights in the books. I've been hungover since I arrived. Yesterday I woke up stumbling only to find this happening...Awkward.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Taking it to the stage

I went to craigslist a while back and replied to one of those posts regarding the "online casting" gigs out of desperation. They cast extras/background actors, and I got in. New Mexico is one of the largest film/TV production sites next to L.A. and N.Y. in the U.S. Anyway my first gig was for a prime-time TV series, "In Plain Sight." I played a hospital orderly. This time I played a gay club regular/VIP in the German movie with a tentative title of "Friendship", and this time I brought my phone for bloggin'. The movie is being shot in German so I wasn't really sure what was going on. Basically, two German soldier/brothers go to America to find themselves, or their father, one of the two, and in order to make ends meet, they stop in Vegas to make money as strippers at a gay club. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it takes place in 1989.

I decided to use the few resources I have for the task at hand, linen suit, pastel blue shirt, and Ray-Ban's. And off to the set I go for an 8:30am arrival time.

This guy handed me a card as soon as I walked into "base camp." It reads "your average balding middle-aged white guy." He thought I was a real actor.

It was time to eat some complimentary breakfast. I had some eggs and tots.

Base camp, downtown Albuquerque.

After breakfast, it was on to wardrobe. The wardrobe people are cool, and they have a trailer full of clothes in all sizes. They liked my look from the start. They suggested I wear a Hawaiian shirt underneath my jacket and get rid of the pastel blue shirt. Here is the changing area.

Original Idea.

Second option.

After wardrobe it was on to "holding", which is were everyone waits patiently to be called, including this guy with the wonderful Wisconsin waterfall whipping around the room. The company also casted strippers, transformers (transexuals), and janitors in addition t0 the 30 or so gay club goers. We all sat in holding together.

Holding sucks. I waited there 4 hours before I was called. No chairs. Just a bunch of people doing awkward things that I don't want to mention. At least I kept receiving cards.

Complimentary Cheese Puffs = bad idea. I had a film of crap fused onto the roof of my mouth and teeth after about 6 cups.

My little set up.

Finally I was chosen. I went down to the club and I was handed a glass half full of O'Douls. "Am I drinking? As soon as I'm done."

And also $50 in Motion Picture currency to stuff into the thong of the dancers. Yay. I never made it that far though. When the director saw Don Johnson (me) I was taken away from the crowd and onto VIP. Phew.

Here is the outside of the club. Apparently, it is a pretty cool bar to go to in Albuquerque when it isn't being used for filming, and it is not called The Black Mustang.

Back inside it was time to shoot. Here is the set. I was supposed to be in the crowd.

Some Film Actors.

"You want more mysterious, I'll just think where the hell is the Whiskey." It was Iced Tea. Here is my view of the scene. Im kinda like the bad-ass VIP dude sitting behind the club owner (cowboy hat) and his girl in the red dress.

I had to stand up and dance during the stripping performance. Sometimes without music, in dead silence. About 50 times. Anything to be out of holding and out of the crowd.

Film Actor.

I was tired. This went on for a long time. I wont be doing any more gigs anytime soon. It doesn't pay much and it takes up your entire day. And you can't leave until the director calls it a wrap, no exceptions. I was there all night.

Finally done, and in my car, going home.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Venezuela Pt. 6

I miss Caracas so much. I've stumbled upon some more pictures and decided to put them up. There's a lot of family pictures but, to quote Mary Swanson, "I don't wanna bore you with those." So these are all random.

Father Funk and I eating some pre-game Arepas. What are Arepas, you ask? They are THE dish of Venezuela. It's basically a baked corn meal patty that you cut in half, and then stuff with cheese, beans, veggies, and your choice of mammal flesh. We got ours the same, con queso y carne mechada (with cheese and shredded beef). We are both extremely happy.

Gametime. We got tickets to one of the biggest, baddest, rowdiest games of the season. Caracas vs. Magallanes. It's like Yankees vs. Redsox. We got there early to beat the storm of people that pour into the stadium. This was my first time at a game in Caracas.

We got some nice seats too. The game turned out to be epic. It came down to the bottom of the 9th, and, yes, with two outs. You can't see the flags and sh$t being thrown in the bleachers. Fights broke out, flares were ignited, and people were insulted. It was the best sporting event I've ever attended. It rivaled my experience at a soccer game in Italy. Incredible. Caracas won.

Beer talk. Polar & Zulia. Delicious. Polar is like Bud, and Zulia is like Coors, I'd say. Better though. More alcohol, and less carbonation that hurts your throat when you are taking a knee. I like pound beers.

This is a close relative of TNT. You can buy it on any street corner in Caracas. It has several names, Pinocchio, Bin Landen, and...um...I think, La Suegra (Mother-in-law). These things will blow your fuc#@g head off. They sound like someone put a gun to your head and pulled the trigger.

Father Funk and Mother Salsa before renewing their wedding vows.

After the ceremony, the surprise band came to the party and tore it down. This was really fun. I danced. I drank.

This is Sancocho. It's a fish stew. It looks gross, but if Zimmern or Bourdain tasted this, they would have a new favorite. Speaking of which, those dudes should do an episode in Venezuela, for real. The final product on the left has the fish, boiled plantains, yucca, and a pinch of lemon.

Plastic spoon.

Sebastian Armando Figueredo. The latest addition.

Josie's breakfast. Fresh coconut with a straw in it, and a Cachapa (corn pankake) filled with queso de Mano.

This guy was chillin when we stopped for some water on the way up to the Colonia Tovar.

I don't know what the f%&k this is. Kinda sketchy, but cool. I wanna jump in there and see whats going on in that container. It reads "Socialist Formation Center."

The streets of the neighborhood, Chacao, were my uncle works. It's a commercial area where you can find anything. Kinda like Canal St. in NYC.

Here's a dumbass risking his safety for some LPs. Way to be heads up. I got some good stuff though. Not the nicest of areas.

My cousin Juan and I on New Year's eve. We were discussing the labels given to, well, guys like us. You know, tatted-up, bearded long hairs. In Venezuela he is known as a frito (fried). He's a bad-ass Drumb and Bass DJ. Next time I will go to one of his shows.

Fireworks on New Year's eve. Viewed from the back yard of my aunt Thaiz's house. Somebody was setting these off right on the street at the front of the house. We left a couple of days latter. I miss you Venezuela. I love you.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Crispy Portfolio

I got back from Venezuela about two weeks ago and I really miss my family. I want to thank them for a great time and for taking me to so many new places. Luckily for me, I've been busy and haven't had the time to be sad. I'm applying for an MFA program on THURSDAY(!) and I wanted to share with you my portfolio I'm sending the school. (Click on image for big viewing pleasure)

Calle Conocida (Familiar Street) 1 woodblock print

Calle Conocida (Familiar Street) 2 woodblock print

Calle Conocida (Familiar Street) 3 woodblock print

Calle Conocida (Familiar Street) 4 woodblock print

Calle Conocida (Familiar Street) complete

Casa De Muñequitas (Dollhouse) etching

Homeless Man etching

Que Cresca con Cultura Rica (May He Grow Up with Rich Culture) etching

Mi Sueño (My Dream) plexi-glass monoprint

Toros Levantando Tierra (Bulls Raising Dirt) silkscreen

Hugo woodblock print

Grant Park woodblock print

El Hombre de la Taralla (Man of the Fishing Net) woodblock print

Tu No Subes (You're Not Going Up) woodblock print

Vendiendo Manis (Selling Peanuts) woodblock print

1967 Eldorado woodblock print

Oh yeah, email if you are interested in owning any of these prints. I have some extras. It would be a great help in my quest to earn money for school. Hope you enjoyed them and thanks for checking 'em out. Thug life.

Name: Enrique

Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Ann Arbor Pt. 2 - "Man-night"

Ann Arbor Pt. 1

Friday, January 23, 2009

Taking it to the stage

Friday, January 16, 2009

Venezuela Pt. 6

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Crispy Portfolio

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