The "Horses" Edition :: Issue #334, Rusty's Electric Dreams

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

— C.S. Lewis

An inbox zine for positive deviants and the people who love them
Issue #334 :: The “Horses” Edition :: 12:07:2022

Horses…Something funny happened on my trip last week to Portland, Oregon. It started after I checked in to the Ace Hotel. The sun was setting and I took a photo from our front window (Note: Right behind that building is the world-famous Powell’s Books.):

Ok, so then I’m sitting in the room scrolling Instagram and see this post from Patti Smith (!). She’s in town for a show and is literally staying down the hall from me! I’m not normally one to fangirl but she’s on my short list of famous folx I would like to meet. So, I go to bed with the hope that I’ll “run into” her in the hotel’s coffee room the following morning. I wake up early and snap this shot:

SECONDS later, Patti posts THIS. I rush to get dressed and run out the door. She’s not in the coffee room. Dang! And, after reviewing the photos more closely, I realize she’s already checked out. I missed her by *this* much.

Despite this HUGE disappointment, I decide to make the best of the situation and leave a little surprise for someone else to discover. Our room at the Ace has a turntable, so I dropgifted Patti’s “Horses” in with the other albums.
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— Rusty Blazenhoff

P.S. Raise your hand if you live in Portland!

As seen on the Internets

Wonder Twin Powers Activate: Form of IceUnicycle.com! I bought this domain a few years ago because the clip cracks me up. Last week, I finally did what I wanted to do with it (which isn’t much tbh)—enjoy!(?)

:: The same interview with Billie Eilish, year six
:: youtu.be/55XJ1ObZKaM

:: For the past few end-of-years, my friend Kyle has made a downloadable guide for deep reflection, integration, and intention setting. This year part of the proceeds go to help his mom rescue dogs.
:: whichritual.com/2022-2023-ultimate-reflection-integration-guide

:: Love me a good underdog story: Meet Roy Miles AKA Ghetto Geppetto
:: oaklandside.org/2022/11/29/meet-east-oaklands-ghetto-geppetto

:: Who’s got a spare $5M?
:: loopnet.com/Listing/4632-Telegraph-Ave-Oakland-CA/26926190
:: Mystery artist leaves street art in El Cerrito
:: altaonline.com/street-art-maw-shein-win-you-are-here-writers-grotto

:: Really remarkable: Actor Jonah Hill made a touching documentary about his therapist
:: imdb.com/title/tt21819228

:: “Always uncertain,” Stutz.
:: esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a41977975/phil-stutz-jonah-hill-therapist-documentary-interview

:: What makes a person creepy?
:: ideas.ted.com/what-makes-a-person-creepy

:: There’s a company that plans surprise vacations: Pack Up + Go
:: packupgo.com
:: These people went to Ithaca, NY

:: Much inspo here
:: npr.org/2022/11/23/1138657016/late-bloomers

:: Forget that Lensa AI app, I’ve been playing with ChatGPT and it’s INSANE!
:: electricdreaming.com/archives/2898

Real wishes you can actually grant: yay!

Santa needs our help: Want to grant some wishes this holiday season? Me too! I signed us up as a team for USPS Operation Santa. That means, from now until December 19, we have a goal to “adopt” 3-5 real letters to Santa and send children the gifts they’re asking for (FAQ here). Who’s in?! Sign up here or, if you would just want to help cover the cost of gifts/postage, Venmo a few bucks to me. Make sure to note the money is for Operation Santa! If you do sign up, I’ve started a team spreadsheet to keep track of everything. Let’s do this!

Real art that actually exists: yay!

Want felt fries with that?: Felt artist Lucy Sparrow has been busy on Mc-Happiness, her new installation for SCOPE Art Show in Miami. Yes, it’s all felt.

Boo-ya: I’m a little obsessed with Los Angeles guerilla artist S.c. MeRo. She leaves super fun sculptures all over downtown L.A. and asks zero permission.

Joy: The Ace Hotel in Portland has a storefront next door called The Cleaners. It’s normally used as a venue, or for photo shoots. But right now it’s “Snow Day,” a cool pop-up shop by “public joy creator” Mike Bennett.

photo: Rusty Blazenhoff

Featured Events

[San Francisco :: 12/18] Raining Chainsaws’ The Night Parade is “influenced by Carnival, Mardi Gras, and international winter parades. A parade to spread joy, bring hope, promote unity, and embrace positivity in our community. We will parade around the Mission with marching band(s), wildly-creative big costumes, lanterns, puppets, a Gamelan float, a karaoke motorcycle, and more. Meet at 5pm, Precita park (Folsom street side) March at 6pm. End in Dolores park. Colorful costumes/lights welcomed.”

ARIZONA
[Scottsdale :: 4/27-4/30] Arizona Tiki Oasis

BAY AREA, CA+
[Point San Pablo, Richmond :: ongoing] Go get hot at good hot!

[San Francisco :: ongoing] Artists Television Access’ calendar

[Oakland :: 12/10] Stories in Action is a one-hour “explore-space” workshop about storytelling hosted by Richie Rhombus. Donations welcome but not required. Lake Merritt spot (sign up ahead of time), 1 p.m.

[Point Richmond :: now through 12/10] Amélie at Masquers Playhouse

[San Francisco :: 12/11] The Box Shop December Open Studios: “a collaborative maker space and studios focused on metal and industrial arts” at 951 Hudson Avenue, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

[San Francisco :: Until 3/2/23] Charlie Gadeken’s illuminated forest installation, Entwined Meadow, is coming back to Golden Gate Park’s Peacock Meadow. Free.

[San Francisco :: 12/3-12/8 and 12/12-12/24] The amazing Tree Twins are going on a world tour! Check all the cities they’ll be visiting—from London to San Francisco.

[Alameda :: 12/8] Krampus Naught at Magpie & Thorn: get family photos with Krampus

[Berkeley :: through 12/11] East Bay Alternative Book & Zine Fest at Sports Basement Community Room

[San Francisco :: 12/17 & 12/28] John Waters’ Polyester in Odorama at Roxie Theater, 7 p.m. each showing

[San Francisco :: 1/7] Bowie & Elvis Birthday Bash 2023 Edition

[San Francisco :: 1/20 to 2/5] SF Sketchfest

[Santa Rosa :: 3/2-3/5] Baby Doe and Otto present a new “Mid-Century design, style and history” conference, Resort-O-Rama: “Look at this line up!

LOS ANGELES, CA+
[Los Angeles :: through 12/11] Mark Ryden put his signature pop surrealism look on Barbie in a collab with Mattel! Kasmin Gallery is hosting Pink Pop, an exhibition of his new body of works. 8382 Melrose Avenue.

[Los Angeles :: now through 1/7/23] Todd Schorr’s Rattlebrain Melodrama at KP Projects

[San Luis Obispo :: 4/7-4/8] John Waters Easter & Pink Flamingos 50th Anniversary at Madonna Inn

TOURING
[2023] Attaboy’s Up Cycled Garden installation is going on tour

Someday I will visit the Museum of Brands in London, mark my words.

Rusty’s Electric Dreams is an inbox zine by Rusty Blazenhoff for positive deviants and the people who love them. If this was forwarded to you, please consider subscribing yourself.

Described as, “One of the most inspiring, weird and off-kilter collections of curated kitschy ephemera for the big-brained.” People like it. Well, most people do.

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Publisher & Baddie-in-Chief: Rusty Blazenhoff

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