Based of my current family of critter desk pets, I recently decided to experiment with a lesser know critter, the adorable wombat.

(photo credit: Ben Harris-Roxas )

One of the most endearing parts of the wombat, is its huuuge snozzle, long talons, and itty-bitty ears. I only have the magic of youtube to aquaint me with the adorable little sounds wombats make.

Realizing my dream of snuggling with these rotund critters would never become a reality, I decided to create one little guy who would be happy to cuddle with me all I wished. Here is Sydney the Wombat.

So I just rolled in from 10 days up in the Nevada desert, constructing the wooden man which is the central figure at the Burning Man Festival .

 It was a nice change of pace to be creating art with my hands which involved power tools. Sure felting needles can get dangerous if you are tired or distracted, but it’s nothing compared to working with an air gun, or a chop saw, or my personally challenging equipment, the table saw.

 

Some days it got unbearably loud in the shop with all those various types of saws slicing through wood, the sanders, and hammering. Ear plugs were a MUST. Here is me with my good friend, owner of Mission Yoga , and Black Rock City mayoral candidate , Steve23.

One noticeable difference from last year was the increased number of women on Man KCrew. It was pretty rad working with so many strong, competent, and creative women. We represented many different fields of vocations including small business owners, biologists, photographers, comic book illustrators, yoga teachers, and pyrotechnic artists. The Rosie the Riveters of the aughts!

As you may have guessed, I rode my BMW F650 there and back. The longest rode trip I have ever taken on a motorcycle! I look forward to taking some time out to get more riding in because there is nothing like the freedom and the connection to the world one gets from traveling on a bike. On my way out of the Black Rock Desert, I said good bye for now until I return in a few months for the Burning Man Festival.

 

 

Yup, that’s right. I’ve been invited back again to join the small, core group of artists and craftsmen who build “The Man” for Burning Man every year.

I will be joining my fellow teammates/friends for about 10 days in the Nevada desert. I won’t be able to fill orders at that time, however, I will have periodic email access and can answer any questions every other day or so.

In the mean time, check out the Burning Man Blog posts by Aaron Muszalski to read updates of what myself and my other crew members are

I just got back from a small get away with my partner, Colin. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, and decided to do a theme of lighthouses.

It started with driving up to Point Reyes to tour the light station and just generally chill out up there. We had never actually gotten to see the lighthouse, so it was a nice “local” treat to do. While climbing down the 302 steps to get to the lighthouse, I was struck by the beautiful lichen growing on the wall. So fuzzy and bright it reminded me of woolly growths on the rocks.

Lichen Detail:


We were also surprised to witness what appeared to be a migration of lady bugs at the lighthouse. They were EVERYWHERE. There was no way to walk around without having a couple either land on you, or sadly, step on a few.

Our evening closed by staying at a cute cottage that overlooked a cow pasture, and were woke by the sound of mooing in the morning. How delightful! I wish I had taken a picture of their cute little muzzles looking in the window, but I was so busy squealing with joy that I forgot. I suppose that will have to wait until next year.

My kitty has been diagnosed with congenital heart failure. Here’s a sweet picture I took of him, while he is still happy and healthy (ish). I love him so!