Video o’ the collection:

And look how much fun housework is in a Gareth Pugh original. I think that’s him, I found it on his myspace page. 

And yes, that’s the same Aunt Joan who improves Monet’s paintings with scrapbooking stickers.
Also, if you happen to pass through the center of North America anytime soon, stop by her farm and see my Uncle Gene’s art installation/performance happening all over their property, consisting of: pantyhose stuffed with human hair hanging from trees, electrified metal plates smeared with peanut butter, strobe lights (some on motorized bases), talk radio broadcast over outdoor amplifiers, and nighttime aerial fireworks shells launched horizontally into the surrounding trees. He doesn’t know it’s art but he calls it, “Stay away you damn deer and stop eating my bushes!”

More from North Dakota and beyond  in my Flickr pages.

Bought on ebay, the Hallmark HOLLY PAPER PARTY DRESS “Disposable fashions for: Entertaining - Lounging - Gifts”

The back reads:

Suggested uses for yarn trim:

- Tie in a bow to wear at neckline

- Tie at waist for a fashionable belt

- Use as an empire belt

To “Dress Up” Dresses:

Trim hem and sleeves with fringe, braid or yarn; or scallop hem.

Add Christmas corsage with long streamers to neckline.

Glue sequins and glitter to design, or use colorful jewelry and accessories.

Shorten and use extra paper to make headband, scarf, belt or purse.

Don’t know who did it or why but found the picture on Flickr (while searching for “Picasso” - go figure). Video here.

We don’t have snow here so people have to cover the yard with something, or, EVERYTHING.

This Sunday, celebrate my birthday in sasquatch style at the Bigfoot Lodge starting at 8 p.m..
Join the gang anytime after 8, I’ll be there ’till at least midnight - It’s all very casual - come introduce yourself!
Try the famous flaming “Toasted Marshmallow” - it’s a bonfire, dessert, and drink all in one!
The lodge doesn’t have food, but I’ll make sure we have some lovely nibbles. Hope to see you!

The Bigfoot Lodge a block east of the 5 (the Glendale side), on south side of Los Feliz Blvd.

If you insist on gift giving and need ideas, here’s my Amazon wish list.
But really, your crooked, inebriated smile is all I need for a good birthday.

It’s one of the best things I saw in Vegas. It’s designed in-house under the direction of Audra Danzak, lighting design by Daivd Hersey, and scenic elements designed by Stephen Stefanou. The display is changed five times a year (but constantly refreshed) and takes about a week to change out.

Holiday show: Dec. 1
Chinese New Year: Jan. 12
Spring celebration: March 15
Summer garden party: May 17
Harvest show: Sept. 13

He’s part of the nightly shows at the “Lake of Dreams” inside the resort and the highlight of my Vegas trip (as was the entire Wynn resort). The shows have an oddness to them that makes me think the designer was French but I can’t find any info on who the deserves the creative credit. [I shot the picture below but not the videos.]

One of six shows happens every hour and half-hour. The large “screen” is a waterfall when the show isn’t happening, and the lake is filled with bubbles during the show so the submerged LED units have something to bounce light off of. Here’s another show with a bullfighting theme:

Derogatory representations of native peoples always look better when fluorescents are used.

An aside:

One time while talking to an airline phone operator I mentioned I was flying back to Fargo to visit my family.

“Do they live on a reservation?”

“Excuse me?” I said.

“Well you’re from North Dakota, and ‘Jorgensen,’ that’s Native American right?”

“Ah, no. It’s Norwegian. Very Norwegian.”

It’s fiberglass, and around $4,500. I found it at T. L. Gurley Antiques in Pasadena. I have no idea what films it appeared in.