I
have heard that some people buy sex on the craigslist, and I was surprised
while I was searching for a cotton candy machine, (that I have still have not
attained) that you could buy pot, yet finding a vacuum exposure unit for screen
printing was NOT an easy find. I knew that somewhere, someone had a nice big
one (because I want to make big art) that works, sitting there that they
weren't using, or better yet they attained and didn't know what it was used
for. Besides what else can a girl do while waiting for new music to come out
from Kesha, No Doubt, and Pink.. and I am not sure what Fergie, Christina
Aguilara, and Britney Spears is doing.. other than those reality talent pop
star shows. (Just kidding, I am never not doing.) I was sure that
someone out there had a vacuum light exposure unit and was listing it wrong..
because you could call it all sorts of different things, and while looking I
even happened onto Ebay where I found a HUGE one. It was more $$ than I wanted
to spend, but you could make an offer. I laughed as it clearly was in a
warehouse, and while most broads might be looking for a new handbag, or things
that girls look for, (....I am a platform shoe purveyor as well as lip gloss
addict.....) I am desperate of a large vacuum light exposure unit that is
CLEARLY industrial and there is absolutely nothing feminine about it.
I had to expand my search, and figured that since I was heading out to LA I
would search everywhere travel able. I found a great one in Texas, but that was
the wrong way. I found one in Vegas, but the guy wanted a little too much for
it and it wasn't all that much larger than the one I have, but he sure was
nice. I finally found one that seemed it would be a good prospect in San Diego,
but while working out details with the seller I had gotten a notification that
my offer had been accepted on this 1200lb, 10ft long, vacuum light exposure
unit. I was shocked. It definitely was big enough... and then the questions
started.. did it work.. how big is it.. and where is Stockton CA, I thought it
was near Compton, I was wrong. It was labor day weekend, and my ebay message
wasn't being answered. I was frustrated, as I already had plans on leaving on
the Tuesday early and having dinner with my buddy artist Gabe Larson. I assumed
Randy's trailer, which we weren't sure we were going to use, would be big
enough, and ok for a road trip, I was wrong.
The gal Heather said that they "thought" the table works, but as it's
a 220 electrical outlet they couldn't check the lamp unit... I figured .. OK.
(by this time we had hit the highway) While having this conversation 20 minutes
into the trek of Stockton, which is another 7 hour drive or so PAST LA, Randy's
trailer fender falls off. We pull off, in a terrible place and he's trying to
fix it. Heather was calling me back to assure me that the unit will at least
fit in our trailer, and make sure they will have the crane available to get it
into the trailer. (When she started talking about the crane, I got pretty
uneasy.) Randy asks if I have any tape, scissors, wire, tools, or anything to
aid in repairing the trailer.. I had JUST cleaned the truck out.. all I had was
neon pink ribbon.. and I am not really sure why. He said that would work and as
he is out there doing some crafting, Heather in Compton phones back and says
the trailer we have won't be big enough. I told Randy, and we had to turn back
and do some sorting in back in Tucson. Needless to say, we weren't going to be
making it to dinner with Gabe that evening.
After some time on the phone, girl tears, and frustration, we managed to come
up with a rental trailer that was large enough, and set out the next morning.
We had no clue how even IF we managed to get this table how we would get it off
the trailer once back to Tucson, but we figured that we would cross that bridge
when we got to it. Would the suburban be ok pulling something that heavy, that
far? We would find out. The conversation about what life size art piece I
wanted to work on first, morphed into shopping lists at Home Depot. Turns out
there really isn't a whole lot to see between LA and Stockton. It seems like a strange place, and Heather warned us
to be careful if we stopped anywhere, due to crime. There wasn't really
anywhere to stop, so we thought that it would probably be best to just turn
around once we got the table and head back to LA.
The table was huge. They had this amazing overhead crane in this sign company
to move it. The parking lot looked like the place where Starbuck signs go to
die. I asked if there were any directions to this table, and Heather said no.
It looks like it's from the 80's, so I was going to have another project there.
Randy talked about how great it would be if we could have our factory like this
building with the overhead crane, I told him I could see him tethering one of
the kids for a ride. After some manipulation, the table was now on the trailer,
and I thought how funny we must look, with all these burly guys.. and then
there is me with my white hair and oversized Jackie O sunglasses from Wal-Mart,
that didn't even come close to my Oscar De La Renta shades that lake Coeur de
Laine in Idaho claimed a few weeks ago, and Randy in his rock star black skinny
pants, lyrcra shirt, and buckle boots. Still they were very nice, and glad to
see the table go, so once again we set off.
We drove forever and the goal had become to get the table back as soon as
possible. After staring at my phone and downloading Priceline and Expedia apps,
I finally settled on making a decision on a hotel in San Bernardino. We were so
filthy and tired, nothing seemed to matter anymore. Every stop was some sort
processed made to look like meat product wrapped in paper... and far from
appealing. I wanted soft hair, my new lady Gaga Fame perfume, and a soft bed. I
wanted to wash my feet and put on soft pants, after 20 some hours of driving, a
person can get a bit cranky. Making it to the hotel seemed like a distant dream
that seemed like a far off place. We had made it. San Bernardino.. how funny to
be so happy. We finally were able to shower and laugh exhausted on how once
again we totally packed wrong. I wasn't going to be needing my silver pants and
chain metal shirt. In the morning it was exciting to only have about 7 hours
left of driving. We relaxed and had a nice breakfast, and jumped on the bed and
were quite pleased with the choice on Priceline. Almost there, hoping for NO
STORMS, as our tarp that was covering the table was now looking like a
Halloween decoration. We delighted when we arrived in Quartzite for our
ceremonial Fresh Beef Jerky stop to load up and say hello to Lyle. Lyle
informed me that he was training this nice new guy, and may miss us while we
pass through as he now calls Randy Jared. (Apparently Randy resembles Jared
Leto, I think he is far prettier.) We take our routine picture in front of the
Fresh Jerky sign with our new member of the family the Violux vacuum light
exposure unit with Theimer mercury shutter lamp. I hold my breath and hope that
we arrive and somehow figure out how in the world we are going to remove the
table.
Tucson and even though monsoon season, we didn't get a drop. I call my ex who
agreed to help us move the table, and managed to arrange a piano mover if they
couldn't sort it out. I gave my friend Tiffany a lift home as she stopped by to
see the table, but ended up talking about burning man festival, drugs, herself,
and a bad bridesmaid dress. I decided to grab a frozen yogurt and my phone goes
off with a picture Randy sent me of the table IN ITS PLACE and OFF the
trailer!!! I was only gone 15 minutes! Somehow the guys managed to do it with
just the two of them and no crane. Turns out IF the light works, it is strong
enough to get a tan, I thought how fabulous.. we will have to try tanning on the light table. One thing is certain, now
I can burn a really big screen. Now to plug it in.. but remember.. it's
a 220 electrical plug, and of course my space doesn't have one of those.
A 220 electrical fixture is what is on a washer and or dryer sometimes, and I
can remember the girly days where I didn't know what that was. I think I knew
what an 808 drum was before a 220. Thankfully, Randy as he is rock star and
worked many a stage, happens to know quite a bit about wires, not to mention
has an affection for electricity itself and innovator, Nichola Tesla. I
remember the day I didn't know who that was either. Randy is electric too, and
so pretty, but more importantly assured me that he can wire a 220 into the fuse
box, with no problem. Randy and my ex decide to have a look at the electrical
board, but surprisingly find that there is a wasp nest residing in the
electrical box. This is a problem, and not one that will result in the
immediate wiring of a 220 to even see if the lamp works. Daily treatments of
RAID AND RUN becomes an exercise.
I don't understand wasps. I really don't enjoy bugs. I understand they are
necessary for the nature.. but bee's at least make honey. Bees if you look at
them, maybe one can even say they are attractive. (keep in mind I really
dislike bugs, mostly flying funneling ants, and grasshoppers/ criquets, and
bees and wasps..) Bees have some color to them, and a rather nice structure,
but wasps.. they just look like an evil ninja kind of bug and they don't even
make honey that I am aware of!
The adventure continues, and the space continues to be prepped with the
addition of the new equipment, including repeat bug treatments to remove the
wasp nest. I expect to be able to connect it all next week, and managed to find
alot of items while clearing space that probably could have disappeared and I
wouldn't have known for not. (including old photos, and memos I wrote to paste
up once upon a time to remind myself that I was really needing RAID spray for a
guy I was seeing. I suppose it's really nice finding things like that though, when
you are happy in a current relationship with a really hot, younger, amazingly
talented, loving, helpful, and intelligent model. It really reminded me of how
far I have come, and how I really must have enjoyed punishing myself to
entertain some real losers in the past. Experiences like that however can
provide a platform of emotion to use that even Christian Laboutin would
appreciate for insightful artwork! Remembering even feeling the need to write
myself notes to stay away from a guy was really pathetic though. Obviously I
knew better, but didn't do best. But along with that also came photos of my
father and Aunt Betty who are long gone, and I got to share them with Randy, as
it was all new to him. The past doesn't matter though, it's only a memory, and
you really only have today, because tomorrow is just an idea.
Turning on a light can really expose an awful lot, and the vacuum can
leave quite an impression! I think it's good to look for light and a way to
connect. If old connections failed, so what. I always say I am in it to live
it. If everything was easy, you wouldn't enjoy when it is. One day soon I will
burn my first REALLY big screen, and not think about setting everything up, or
cleaning, or 220's. Knowing my world, we will have an opportunity soon, to move
it all to usable space in LA and have to go through it all again! What a
wonderful dilemma that would be! Believe it or not, finding a space for a 1200 lb vacuum light exposure
unit, where you can rock out, make a mess, and is large enough to work in,
isn't the easiest find, oh and can have a bazillion
little people wonder around as well. But, they say that good things come to those who
wait, I don't think waiting is productive, and I think thats a good thing.
I am just enjoying the big of it all!
MW
