Blechh Friday & Saturday

Hope all y'all had a nice Turkey Day on Thursday! I enjoyed the afternoon at a friend's pot luck gathering, but all the while, in between bites of deliciousness, I was facing the impending doom of a 4:30 am start-time at my place of employment on Black Friday. And it was even more hellish than expected, although the store did extremely well business-wise. Everyone who had not shopped all during October and early November came out in a mad rush on Friday, looking for slashed prices-- and finding them. It was ugly! It was insanely crowded! I wanted to go home!

I am grateful at least that I was not TRAMPLED TO DEATH like that poor Wal-Mart employee in NY. (I know that area; it's a pretty dicey neighborhood these days... my Mom used to take me to Green Acres Mall when I was a little boy).

Anyway, my heart goes out to that poor man's friends and family. What a way to go.

Were any of my (7?) faithful readers out at a department store at 5:00 am on Friday? C'mon, 'fess up! If so, we need to talk!

Work-In-Progress: Mary-Kate and Ashley

There was this photo in the newspaper. I had to make a painting from it. What I love most is that each girl seems to be facing paparazzi coming from opposite directions. So much like my own life!

AlbGlinka Paints from The Model

We have 4 more weeks in my painting class and there will be models to paint until the end of the semester. I decided to go for it today... I took a break from a painting of Mary-Kate and Ashley that I had been working on! (will post a pic of that work-in-progess, cuz I'm digging it)

Painting from the model is something I know I'm good at, and I get nice attention and compliments when I do it. When I do figure drawing or painting, I get transported into this very different headspace. It feels like I'm channeling some Beaux Arts student from another century. The nude is always the nude, no matter what time period, although the above-the-butt lotus flower tat on this lady definitely places her in contemporary times...

7 Weird or Random Facts about me

I've been *tagged* by my good blog friend Sydney whom I met whilst haunting a Big Brother Live Feeds blog. Sydney proves that you can have a life while also watching way too much (RE:ality) TV! Yay, Sydney!

Only problem is: I hate divulging much personal stuff about myself online these days. So I guess I'll keep it short and sweet.

1) I don't have a driver's license. Ex-NYer here who never got one and is now kind of phobic about learning and getting behind the wheel.

2) If I weren't folic-ly challenged, I'd have long gray hippie hair. I'd really like to effect a gay hippie look-- I don't know, a purple velvet cape, gauzy pants and sandals... just haven't taken the plunge yet. I do have two tie-dye T-shirts that I enjoy wearing! :-)

3) I have clutter issues. Not as bad as what you see on Oprah or Dr. Phil, but I always relate to those shows when clutter is the topic.

4) Wonton Soup from a New York Chinese restaurant is the best soup there is, especially with the New York crispy noodles they serve with it.

5) I like men with facial hair. In fact, all '70s facial hair is a huge turn-on to me. (Stay tuned for Sean Pean in "Milk", about the slain S.F. supervisor Harvey Milk, and then-Mayor George Moscone; directed by Gus Van Sant, it's supposed to be a great film-- an intensely tragic story, but I'm looking forward to the facial hair)

6) I am closely related to a now-famous NPR radio personality but I knew him when he was a chubby middle child.

7) I hate being tagged.

Only for you Sydney!

The Sound of Crickets Chirping...

It's kinda creepy being in the retail world right now.

T.G.I.M. (My three days off are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

This customer yesterday had the hugest fake eyelashes I've ever seen; I want to paint them next!

"Sassy Lady"; Detail

I recently completed this painting. It's based off of a few fashion photos I had laying around and also on countless hours spent killing off important brain cells by watching every single cycle of "America's Next Top Model."

You wanna be On Top?

You wanna be On Top?

Doodadoodadooda

Doodadoodadooda

Dooooooooooooo!

I'll show the whole painting when I can photograph it in better light; it's kinda dark in my bachelor pad right now.

Go Tyra! Go Tyra! Go Tyra!

Someone stole my Hippie Stage Name!

There's a welterweight boxer out there named Grover Wiley; nickname: Grove. He's stealing my thunder in cyberspace. I've been noticing it for awhile on Google.

The resemblance is startling, n'est-pas?

Progress, and More To Come

It's been an awesome week. But there is still much to do ("No on 8" lost but it's not going to go away, and I WILL find me a husband!)

There's apparently going to be a national day of protest about Prop. 8 and legalizing Gay Marriage this Saturday, check your local listings!!!

I love this poster-- I will credit the artist when I have a bit more time.

Update; 11/12:
Graphic Artist: Shepard Fairey, groovy website: ObeyGiant.com