Oki:blog

A few of you have asked me if my site is dead. The answer is yes-no. I’m half annoyed at wordpress complexity, but mainly ive been telling myself im too busy. I’m lucky though because i’ve met an amazing woman who not only has taught me to use the apostrophe, but is also helping me slow down. Laura is an athletic feminist who is going to change the world. I love her. Thanks to Clark-O who took the photo of us at opening of my show  “kids & bikes“.

Oki Spring Style, originally uploaded by avelli.

Ive been away for a while… its been fun not to have to feel like i owe this blog mandatory post. Click on the pic, it will take u to flickr u can read the notes there!

Chino, Lilly, & Pappi, originally uploaded by avelli.

Hello neglected blog. I know its been a bit. Im simply thankful.For my family, friends, and the sunlight ive woken up to the past 3 days.

Kuba & Wayne Willams, originally uploaded by avelli.

I googled like mad and found zero info on these two Characters.
Kuba is a hippo that was raised in a Zoo primarily by Wayne Williams in i believe Seattle. I found the framed poster that appears to date back to the late 70’s if not early 80’s and read the letter on the back. I was so suprised that this wasnt on the web. Well now it is with photo. We are all collectors of our archives now.

Its the eve of a new yea and im listening to a Goldfrapp remix and imagining what 2009 will be like. THe truth is I already know because I have it visualized in ive even begun documenting. Off all the big events to come, I have two on day two of this new year. 1st, i get Chino back. 2nd, a group of my closest friends and I are having a photo show. It will be part of the First Friday downtown gallery circuit in January. The theme is people. The show its self will be made of b&w square prints the old school way. So heres to 2009, and to chapter 3 of my life. *deep breath*

Ferdinands in jail, originally uploaded by avelli.

Im pissed. Two reasons,

1) Ferdinands rabbies shot expired just 9 days before he bit a person.
2) The municipality of Anchorage gives their employees January 1st off.

Had the incident happened while he was still vaccinated then i could keep him quarantined for 10 days at home rather than in a shitty florescent lit cell. So now im without my son till January 2nd. That means he misses Christmas, New Years and my sisters departure back to Tazmania. Fuck. Lesson learned.I will keep up his vaccination.

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a day full of people watching and self reflection. After spending some alone time with mi self, i got together with the family and had pizza at mooses tooth. I love any pizza of thiers with artichokes! The night ended with a bit of a pub crawl downtown were my sister was bar tending at the local Latin Club Sorayas. I caught up with an old Puerto Rican friend of mine who introduced me to some rediculously fast flowing rhymes he does. Hip hop culture is so incredible in its ability to change with the times and with region. If your into David Lachapelle’s
photography or films than set aside 90 minuets and check out the film Rize. It documents LA’s Krump and Clown dance culture. beautiful. On that same note don’t drink and drive. And if your sober leaving the bars when they close give yourself 30 minuets so the drunks can dilute themselves with the other drunks in traffic. Thank you to Steve for letting me use this shot he got of me today.

 

My interests in a nutshell, originally uploaded by avelli.

Besides waking up today incredibly sore from a long saturday night of dancing, I have had a spectacular day. I got to go and represent Off the Chain Bike Co Op at the Rogers Park Community Council. I told them a little bit about us and answered some questions they had about our operations. So far so good because we have their support, as well as
the University Area Community Councils support. Its been such a cool process to learn the basics to civic engagement while representing my love for bikes. If you are curious to see were and when your community council meetings are held you can visit www.communitycouncils.org.
While sitting and waiting for my turn to speak , i noticed four posters that described the books in the section of the library i was closest to. I thought hey thats what i like to read/speak/ think about in a nutshell. What’s even better about this find is that now both adults and kids will know my interests from the same source! Now all i got to do is start embedding that photo in various places.

 

bike070607.jpg, originally uploaded by joshellington.

I went on a road trip to San Francisco for two weeks with an old buddy of mine from high school. A week before I left I had this vision of the bike that is currently my winter project. I knew when I woke up that Sunday morning just exactly how my first fixed gear bike was going to look. Now that ive gotten back from the road trip the fixie bug has bit me even harder with the sweet find of a 1960 Schwinn Traveler. It too was found just before I left at Off the Chain Bike Co Op were i regularly volunteer. What is going make this bike unique is that it would have come from pieces of other donated bikes to the shop. A mutant mutt if you will. Now before I go on you must become educated as to what kind of bike this is.
A fixie is a bike were the pedals rotate at the same time the rear wheel is rotating. This is beautiful and dangerous because its potentially hazard if you don’t know how to ride. And beautiful because it is the perfect combination of mechanics and organic movement when you ride. Ill be documenting my progress as I go on this Flickr Set so check it from time to time. Thank you to Joshellington for letting me use the image of his original Traveler from his flickr.

I’ve always found it to be more inspiring to be on vacation than when I’m back at home. It makes sense when you think about it because you are of course on vacation were u are more relaxed. However I’m convinced that this dosnt always need to be the case. I swear it’s possible to have a free and fluid mind even at home.
I just got back from a road trip with a buddy of mine. While on the road many things became obvious. For one,I neglected my blog. This is a bad sign because it means I am essentially neglecting to aknowledge all the cool things happening in my life. So that said I am going to make it a point to post a creation, photo, idea, or what ever random thought I am having on a weekly basis. My hope is to look back and see the growth.