I’m gonna have to make the trip to check this out when I get back over there. This has bizarre photo op written all over it.

*update 5-19-09* Oh no! But I’m not really surprised…

I was just wandering around on Deviantart and came across Yaya Han’s page, realizing I’ve photographed her at Dragoncon, and favorited other shots of her from the event. I guess she travels Con’s almost constantly all over the world and makes a living modeling and making costumes. Apparently also was/is a huge BSG fan as well.

What’s the point of this post? Nothing really, and I don’t know why I should be surprised to realize there is a semi-celebrity factor to the entire Con-model/cosplay scene. It was just weird to come across the info.

This post isn’t so much about the hyper-stylized photography of Merkley???; which speaks for itself and you will see popping up everywhere, with surely more to come; but my interest in the story of his van recently being stolen, and it’s subsequent return. The image is not directly related to the story, which simply appears beneath it in a recent Flickr post. The link is a fake. But may all unfolding crime stories in our collapsing economy appear so full and rich.

I Bought a Van and Then It Got Stolen and Then I Got It Back

and when i got it back… GOOD NEWS!, it came with a FREE METH PIPE!!!,
and a bunch of hooker clothes and ratty makeup bags
and some Stars & Stripes Fruit Punch
and some Mexican toilet paper
and some Teddy Bear cookies
and some Double Stuffed Ravioli
and some Mini 3+2 Sandwich Crackers (Cheddar Cheese Flavor!!!)

and even though they stole my brand new $1500 Chinese GPS/DVD/USB/OPP stereo system, inside was a completely different $400 American stereo system undoubtedly stolen from some other dickhead. Poor loser.

I also got a few extra tools to start up my own auto-theft stereo/hooker biznizz!!

I called the state parole board to find out about the woman who’s papers were in the van, turns out she was locked up the same day for something else. I called numbers on her papers and talked to her husband and grandmother both of whom were relieved that she isn’t dead. He mentioned her children which was sorta sad. They had no idea where she was.

I might go visit her in jail and interview her about her time living in my van. Take a picture at least.

If i ever do, look for it here : www.aHookerStoleMyVan.com

what else…

Oh yeah, despite having made it 22 years without any dents, the hooker done dented it right in front of the sliding door. Ran into a pole. Crap. Perfect no more.

DON’T GIVE BLOW JOBS WHILE DRIVING ON METH!!!

Anyway, her name was Danielle McKee and her rap sheet is mostly drugs and prostitution, she probably didn’t steal the van, but perhaps got it in exchange for a rim job. — i don’t mind publicizing that assumption.

That’s what I have been doing, HOW BOUT YOUS GUYS?

Letting this end is so foolish! If it is no longer profitable for your company, why not sell off the formula and let someone else hang on to it for the diehards? Supposedly the company is open to doing this after 2009, but I won’t be comfortable until the deal is made. Vinyl wasn’t allowed to fully die in the 90’s (thank you turntablists), horses can still go places cars can’t. Gung ho technology and all that, but never eliminate the hard copy. Anyone who has ever wound up a Victrola by candlelight during a power outage knows how cool a feeling that is. Also see Polanoid.

And a song from Athens, GA based Madeline Adams Betty Page from her album “Kissing and Dancing”.

An homage to some of the hottest women I’ve photographed at the convention ‘05-’08. Nerds gone wild!

I’ve got to hand it to ya China, I was impressed by the opening ceremony! Photos from Boston Globe. Never mind you used the mind of director Zhang Yimou, who The Party had earlier banned the work of for seeming critical. I’ve enjoyed at least six of his films myself, and we won’t call this egg on your face (no pun). My country loves to first persecute, then later revere, it’s artists as well.

Consider me “visually stunned”…

I haven’t gotten around to interviewing DJ yet for the podcast but meanwhile check out his blog from the frozen bottom of the earth. Is this the 3rd or 4th season he’s gone down now? Congratulations on the engagement as well!

*ed note: 8/08 Iceblog dropped from blogroll until such time that reports might resume from down under. Just trying to keep the blogroll with as fresh of stuff as possible*