When last we met, I was elbow-deep in detail painting in the grand state of:
Thank heavens for that! Also for this:
Not so much for this:
The scars of my brush with death (overstated) have finally healed, and I can finish telling you all about St. Paul and beyond. Let's start with another mural!
This is the smallest one I've done, mostly because this theatre is new to paintings and wary of them getting out of hand. My options were to paint near the ceiling or the floor, OR to keep it within a two-block square and start a new wall of art. Clearly, I went with B).
The mural is a recreation of one of Charles Addams' most famous cartoons, featuring the family pouring boiling oil on Christmas carolers below. Those fond of the 90's film will remember this as the opening scene.
Working with the smallest possible brushes:
Completed mural, clean:
Close up on moon detail:
The family:
The whole top block:
I used the crackle paint from Providence to create a border between the mural and where we'd sign. I've been trying to create a place for people to leave signatures that won't take away from the design of the painting... usually it means creating a large border (as in Memphis) or an open section (here). I like it much better than what happened in Houston.
Here is the signed, finished product:
I'm especially proud of this one. Its hard to tell from a photograph, but the detail compared to the size is pretty impressive. Certainly one of the best in the building!
Definitely competitive with this Les Miserables block. Beautiful stenciling, but done with Sharpies:
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We've reached the point in our tour where people start getting a little loopy. Kooky, even. For example, here's Blake and a baby Fester card:
Jonathan and a very short chair:
And my roomies preparing for roller coasters at the Mall of America.
That's right, friends. We went back and did some damage. I took home the whole MAC store:
Then rode rides for a couple hours. (If you ever go, you MUST ride this crazy airbender in the center of the complex. AWESOME.)
We passed Bubba Gump Shrimp Co:
And took the Rock Bottom Challenge:
Unfortunately, the Ninja Turtle ride was closed for the day. Love the details, though:
Worn out from rides and the dropping of cash, we stumbled over to the movie theatre to see Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows. We also took pictures:
I'm sad to leave the MOA behind. Where else can you pull that many stunts in one afternoon?
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During the show, I watched this:
If you haven't, you should do the same. Excellent documentary.
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Turns out, my friend Ruthie is from the St. Paul area! She picked me up and we did a bit of shopping on Grand Avenue:
All-corners brownie pan!!
I can't step away from a good baking aisle. Look at this cupcake display:
I mean, come on... that little "pie" is heaven:
Various sea salts:
Ruthie and I riding in the car and listening to 9 to 5, her next theatrical adventure!
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New outfit #1 from the MOA: I've been looking for a black blazer FOREVER. The shirt was a steal, so I couldn't resist:
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Karaoke night at CAMP!
This happened:
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Do yourself a favor and Google "animal photobombs." They can't all be as brilliant as this, but they come pretty close (read the caption):
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In honor of Donna Summer's passing, some electric eye makeup:
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MOA outfit #2: Betsey Johnson dress I've been eyeing for months.
Betsey is apparently bankrupt, so all her stores are having massive sales. I'm sure the price would have gone down if I'd waited longer, but it was already out of stock online and the store only had one left. It happened to be my size:
Who doesn't love a dress with pockets?!
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Next up on the city agenda: GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan. I've been looking forward to this city because it means seeing one of my oldest friends in the world - Ms. Claudia! Here we are at her boyfriend's place enjoying mini chocolate malts:
And here we aren't because you can't get any closer when they make the fudge. (Candy shoppe on the way to work? Win.)
Claudia brought her whole crew to see the show on Wednesday night. I gave them a backstage tour, and Josh (the BF) gave me ride on his motorcycle.
There are no photos of me on the motorcycle because that way I can deny it when my mother eventually reads this post. Instead, here's Claudie and I again!!
She came to a good performance. I was only playing one character. The rest of the week I was on for more than one track at a time... Christy's ankle was still a mess, so she called out, and Karla rolled her ankle during the performance so we had to do some thinking on our feet.
Saturday we had a cheat sheet:
It was a very long weekend.
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Now I am in sunny San Diego. I'm bunking at my friend Robbie's parent's place, where I have several rooms and a kitchen all to myself. There's also a deck and a jacuzzi. Hotel Options - 0, Tori - 1. Win.
I'll post pictures of California soon, but for now you can dream of all the delicious things I'll be baking in my full kitchen this week, Starting with Gooey Butter Cake:
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