24. My Cousin J

This week's post is dedicated to my dear cousin J who we lost in Deciembre. J suffered quietly from an ongoing illness that eventually did him in. Today would've been his 42nd b-day.

















Que took this picture of J the morning after his wedding day in 2003. (Note: Someone who was close to J claims to have shot this photo. I was seated next to Que when this session was shot. Que has the whole roll of film to prove it. Stranger things have happened, I suppose...-Editor)













J worked on his Master's dissertation in Geo in SE Oregone—not too far from the El Big area. I looked up to him all my life. How could I not? He was a punk rock geologist.


J was really creative and well-rounded, and had a strong DIY philosophy about everything in life. He was a very funny cartoonist, so naturally, he designed his own labels for all his projects. (pre Photoshop era) This is a label he designed and hand colored for his homemade Christmas porter. "Brewed crude—Tastes rude" Notice the way the fins overlap on the label...
Photo by David Hayes




Cousin J's pointed, smart and often political songwriting was greatly influential to many East Bay punk bands in the 80's and 90's, such as the hugely popular Green Day (as recently noted in Rolling Stone Magazine Issue 12/05).

Band photos from The D'oh family archives












J goofing off for the new fangled 3-d camera.























J loved animals and was always seen toting at least one dog at this side. I took this picture of him at Greek easter dinner, 2004.













This photo was taken about 6 months ago by an artist in Portland named Pasha.
Where ever you are, have a PBR. ***

23. Bullets in the Candy isle & Other Items of note

TODAY'S CULTURE SHOCK LEVEL:
25°F;
Feels Like
14°F
UV Index: 0 Low
Wind: From S at 12 mph
Humidity:83%
Pressure: 30.66 in
Dew Point: 21°F
Visibility: 10.0 mile
*****************************
Note: Some of the following images may not be suitable for small children, or sensitive adults who are active members in organizations such as P*E*T*A*.
I suspect this is only Part 1 of many posts of a similar nature.

I feel my heart stop when I spot the rifle ammunition right next to the salt water taffy and bbq peanuts.


A bumper sticker on a pickup truck.


A vast array of work gloves.


Rodeo supplies


Deer licks


Gold panning supplies!


Ear tags in a variety of colors and sizes.


Rubber nipples for sale.


How bad a meal can be...


How delicious a meal can be!


A lowered ceiling with florescent lighting in the master bedroom of a 1925 Craftsmen bungalow.


The vehicle ahead of us on a Sunday drive across the Gorge. El Bigians have interesting ways of showing reverence of certain game animals while simultaneously not...


Stuffed animal pics while house hunting. I find this is in the basement of a vacant house.


Our real estate agent tells us that "Ralph" is too big to fit over the bed so they hang him over the entryway.

***
NEXT...ARCHITECTURE OF EL BIG: FROM THE HISTORICAL TO THE HYSTERICAL

22. Boise; The closest big city is out of state

On our 2nd weekend in town, we decide to trek to Boise, Idaho, the next biggest city to El Big. It's basically down hill all the way...

We pass through rolling hills and bucolic loveliness, until we are hit face first by serious suburban sprawl. Even though it's familiar to Bay Area sprawl, it's different enough to be interesting. It's like El Big on steroids.

Craftsmen style architectural detail on our otherwise 70's luxury hotel. The biggest exports are wheat and potatoes, so you see iconic images of them everywhere...


There is a fairly large and active Basque population. The brick buildings and quaint signage really stand out against the suburban sprawl.
***
That afternoon just happened to be a sketching marathon for my dear ex colleague Dan who passed away from cancer last year. He was an avid cafe sketcher so friends planned a special sketching day as a tribute to him. It isn't easy, but we eventually find a hipster artist cafe near the downtown area. We have fine espressso while I sketch the Boise artist scene. They all seem to know I'm sketching them, but I don't care and enjoy my temporary big city anonymity...



A few visual treats from our Boise Costko experience...





Richard in SF refers to this as a diggereeDON'T.

Boisie is a pillow-positive community.

21. The New Year in El Big

Today's Culture Shock Level is: PLODDING AND STEADY


Warmest Wishes to you and your loved ones this Holiday season.
-Ms. Jane D'oh


El Big's unofficial fireworks show