Blog entries for Arvid In Town

Last one

Arvid In Town — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:50:47 GMT

Hey, Been a while. I moved and things are different. I do not live in Milwaukee now, So I feel weird about writing a blog on a Milwaukee based site. I do visit the Great city of Milwaukee about once a month for buisness and to visit friends. But I still feel like it is time to move on in the blog world, so this is going to be my last blog on OnMilwaukee. I have moved from the busy east side to the laid back country, I live on a dirt road. I have to drive to the store. I now can go fishing when ever I want since I live on a canal that feeds into four lakes. Life has made a major turn. I have found it a bit relaxng, maybe too relaxing. I miss the city living. I need to get back to the city as soon as possible. I hope everyone in Milwaukee remembers to Keep Smiling. Laters.

Soon to be Gone

Arvid In Town — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:26:45 GMT

I am moving, packing all of my stuff into brown boxes. It is kind of weird to have everything you own in box form in your living space. Saturday is my day of departure, I am kind of excited about a little change. I will have to stop writing for a bit, but I will return to my crazy ace opinions on life and other things going down in this world that we all share, after I get settled. I am sorry that I did not get to personally say good bye to everyone that I know, there are just too many people that I have met over the years. So, here is a computer screen GOOD BYE for anyone that I have missed these last few weeks. I do think that I will return, so no worries. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Nothing About Fish Tanks Written Here

Arvid In Town — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:10:30 GMT

Summerfest big news, more like big sticky hot mess. Can you imagine a free day at Summerfest with Cake and Ice cream. It would have made more sense to make the whole week free, so everybody does not crowd in on one day. July is a hot month, Cake and Ice cream usually do not do well on hot days. This will be a day I will not attend Summerfest. Oh Well, here is a little reheat trick I learned tonight that most people won't write about. Thick frozen pizza the next day usually tastes bad. The microwave oven warms it, but it turns out nasty soggy. I found that if you put it in the oven at 425 for 6-8 minutes with some banana peppers on top, it is pretty darn good. That's right I wrote darn. I listened to the Lilly Allen cd today. It is Hill-Air-E-Us, I sounded it out for yeah. She sounds all sweet and innocent until you listen to what she is singing about, Pimps and Crack Whores. This makes me laugh, I just hope younger kids don't dig on this. The younger people sometimes don't understand that some things are just for entertainment. I am moving the weekend of the 18th, so I don't have much time left here in Milwaukee. My bathroom started leaking in from the apartment above. The wall and ceiling is bubbling up, I told my landlord about this the first time I noticed the drips. It has gotten worse, but I have stopped caring about it since I am moving. Well, sort of I told him about it again this morning. He will have to do a lot of scraping and painting when I leave. I really need to start packing but for some reason I don't really want to. I am not motivated to put all of my stuff in boxes, I like to see what I have collected over the years. I listened to my first book on my ipod over the last two days at my studio. Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story, very good. I got it as a gift from my sister for my birthday, itunes gift card. I like music a lot and reading about music so this sounded like a good thing to get. It was a very entertaining listen, plus I could paint while reading. I am working on a painting for a trade. A friend of mine does glass work and she asked if I would do a painting of a "Sushi Landscape" I said yeah, if she would do a glass piece of "Space Monkeys" for me. This painting has swallowed me, I can only describe it as EPIC. I can not stop thinking about it, and when working on it I feel as if I am in it. I know this sounds weird but hey, I have gotten back into the groove of painting like I was once before. You cannot control this feeling of creative flow. I am just bummed that I need to stop the roll of things to pack and move before I can start painting again in Michigan. I think that is enough for now. Until next time, Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Enjoy the Sunshine

Arvid In Town — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 00:05:04 GMT

Hey, Today I enjoyed the sunshine. It was only for a few minutes and it peeked out from behind some clouds, but I enjoyed it. This is something that we all must remember to do living in this part of the country. For most of the colder months living in the mid-west we hardly get to see a sunny day. When the opportunity arrives we should embrace the warm rays riding on a cold breeze. I ate some gum I was given for my birthday from 1983, it was not good. My friend gave me a pack of Star Wars Return of The Jedi collector cards as part of a gift because I like all sorts of crazy things. I don't collect them, but I thought they were funny. I guess they were original because the gum tasted like card board then disintegrated on my tongue into nothing but bad taste. It was not good, The lesson of the day is that if someone gives you something old, don't eat it. I don't have a set day of time I do my laundry. The last 2 times I have done my laundry I have seen the same lady doing hers, I found this rather odd since I never see anyone in this building, but now I have seen her twice in three weeks. We have both commented on the strangeness of the laundry timing and how we never see anyone. Just a little something odd in my life. I think I will be leaving short little bits from here on out, that way people don't go crazy reading long drawn out writings of dribble. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Thoughts for happiness

Arvid In Town — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:04:22 GMT

I am excited about using my toaster again this weekend. I get to share its warmth with some of my friends. If you can read that last thought without a smile it is time for a major readjustment. I like to have a good time and smile most days, so why does it take a sunny day to make people happy? Just something that I have noticed living in the Midwest my whole life. On cloudy days you see less smiles. Cows are gentle creatures, they always seem so calming. I think laughter should be apart of every bodies day, it makes me a happier person. If you happen to read this, try and make three people smile on Friday and see how it makes you feel. Then write about it in a blog and try and spread the happy word. This is a challenge. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Got Ice

Arvid In Town — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:01:16 GMT

Hello Milwaukee, Yes I am still here just a bit busy in the mind with all going on.

I Like Wintergreen Altoids, I never really thought about them until today. They are a nice treat, that are actually curiously strong.

I Have only had an outdoor fire once this year in Michigan last month. So if I want to get on my fire a month for a year again, I had better get on it since February is so short.

I have a page a day calendar that gives witty web sites to visit. One I find worth the trip is all about Roger Moore's eyebrows. They do a nice little dance, I like to put on my own music for this one. http://hazza316.co.uk/roger.html Give it a check if you are bored, and need something mindless to look at in your busy life. I was given the calendar as a gift from my mom, I like it for the most part. I can tell the date every day when I rise.

I went to the I love the Eisner event. I think I have my posh event of the year in. I had a nice time it was just a bit much, art should not be exclusive only to certain crowds. It is too bad that I had to pay to attend an event that I donated a painting to be auctioned at. I know this all sounds crazy, but hey that is what artist have to deal with. I had a nice time but I could not afford to stay long. A few of my friends won tickets and after two hours we left because the drinks were expensive and all of the items up for auction started way too high. We headed over to the Palm Tavern, my favorite place to drink in Milwaukee. I always seem to run into friends there. I had to break the news of my leaving Milwaukee to some people there. It was kind of a bummer, but they know I will be back. I cannot ever leave Milwaukee for good, it is just to good here.

Don't forget it is the year of the Pig. Well time to go to sleep. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Letter to all the people that know me.

Arvid In Town — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 06:16:05 GMT

Hello Friends,

Some of the rumors are true, I am in fact taking a hiatus. I am moving back to The Great Lake State or Michigan (for those of you who don't know, I wonder which of my friends that might be?). I am a bit burnt out in the pockets and in the mind. I need a break from painting and the life I have been living for the last 5 years. I will still be doing commissions and a few new side projects that I have put aside for a good long while now. I am sorry this is so informal too so many of my good friends, but there are just too many to contact individually. The friends I have made in Milwaukee I will never forget. I have made some major memories here and have very few regrets. Please remember all the fun we had and all of the fun we will in the future. I am not dying, so that is not a true rumor. I am not sick, so please stop telling people what you might be thinking as for a reason of departure. Please feel free to call if you want to find out more, I actually like phone calls. I will visit Milwaukee as much as I possibly can and will let everybody know when I am in town. This has been a very difficult choice to make, but I hope it gives me the opportunity to explore new avenues in both my life and art. I do plan on some day returning to Milwaukee to where the fun all began. Always remember Milwaukee to Keep Smiling, it only makes this crazy world a little nicer. Thank you all for being a part of my everything. -Arvid

It is winter time, so deal with it.

Arvid In Town — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 23:00:12 GMT

Hey, I went outside today and yup it is cold. I am kind of sick of people bitching about the cold, if you don't like it move. I do believe in Global Warming, Why else would it be 50 degrees in December? Sorry all of you nay sayers, it does not happen as fast as you want it to happen. When orange trees start growing in Wisconsin then people might stop bitching about the cold. What is going on? Is the human race getting weak? Not being able to deal with what mother nature has given us? Consider this a challenge or wake up call to stop messing with her.

Enough of my angst, I had a tasty bread bowl of soup today, it was warm in my stomach. I rented the movie Envy to watch with some friends tonight, because we had flan last night. They had not seen the movie so they did not get my reference. I think it is the best scene in the history of flan.

I am attending two super bowl parties tomorrow, so I will miss part of the Prince half time show,Oh well. Most of the Half time shows that I have witnessed in my life have been really disappointing.

I am happy to be living in Milwaukee, so many nice people here. I had a nice night out last night besides the flan. I just wish people outside of Milwaukee would know how kick ass it is here. Maybe that is why some people can't seem to leave, even if they think they have.

Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

My Journey thus far

Arvid In Town — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 05:13:42 GMT

It all began when I decided that running million dollar construction projects was not where I was to be. I attended college to receive an art degree, something that I had a passion for. My parents believed in me from the start and thought I should get a degree in something that I should have a deep feeling for. After school I went home to work for the family business like I had every summer before and my entire life. They put me back in the field where I excelled the most. I took flight like it was second nature, setting up meetings, organizing trades, talking with inspectors. Each day was a new challenge, never knowing what changes from architects all over the country would come up with next. I was falling into patterns of wake,work,sleep, then back into the same each and everyday. I was losing touch with friends and the fun that I used to know. I awoke one day and decided this can't be right or healthy. I realized that I was growing farther and farther from the art that I would practice each day in school. I set a date giving plenty of notice and time to finish the projects I had been working on. I then figured I would move out to Colorado to start a metal shop with my good friend Dav, He likes to drop the e. I had everything set except to where I was to live. So I just figured I would find a place when I got out there. The night before I was to leave with truck packed in the drive, I had a mental break down. Why am I going to head so far from home and the people I know? I didn't like the thought of only knowing Dav, so I bailed. I called him and he was totally cool with what I was thinking. I then decided I would visit my brother in Milwaukee, he was attending MSOE at the time. I just needed to get away to figure things out. I hung out in the city during the day while he was at class and we would hang at night. Everybody that I talked with during the day seemed really nice. I thought to myself "why don't I move here?". The next day I ventured around the city looking for an art scene. I found some galleries, asked if anyone knew of a place where I could get a studio. Most places did not, I then went to the art school, MIAD. I met with a guidance person there and he sent me to the Hide House. I got myself over there. It was just getting started so the staff was there all of the time. I signed a lease that day, my brother was stoked when I told him I was moving to Milwaukee. We found a big two bedroom place over looking the lake with a record shop in the basement. It was perfect, life was good. I then realized that opening a metal shop costs more money than I was prepared to spend. I made a few things with the few simple tools that I had. My neighbor at the studio would complain about the noise, I had to do something until I got set up properly. I decided to fall back on painting. I had not painted since sophomore year of college. I found it most relaxing, almost meditative. I was painting all sorts of crazy things trying to figure out what I was meant to paint. I started to paint things that really mean something to me, memories of life. I was starting to develop a style, something that I felt I was too young to have. One day a gallery owner stopped by my studio while he was visiting some friends of his and fell in love with some bananas that I had painted. He asked If I was interested in showing in his gallery, I was shocked at his response. I of course took him up on this and have built quite a friendship with him over the years. I took painting on fully and stopped metal smithing as my love for painting has grown. I took painting to a place I never knew it could go. I met most of my friends at the Hide House during my first few years there. It was the hay day of the former tannery. Artist working all of the time, the energy was amazing. After a few years of this things started to change People came and left the Hide House, the staff started caring less, I knew the prime time at the Hide House had come and gone. It started to get quieter and less people were around. I kept on painting, pushing myself. I started the burlap series there. This was received well by the public. My brother moved back to Michigan, I found a place to live not to far by myself. I decided to leave the Hide House and find a new place with new energy. I found a store front in St. Francis, nice and roomy. More space than I had ever had, with lots of light. Just after my move I landed a show in New York City. This has been the high light of my art career thus far. It was exciting, I will never forget the people I met and the fun I had. This up ward climb of struggling has only been a fun challenge. The sales of the paintings that I made afforded me a trip to Europe in the last year. I can only believe that this is what I was meant to share with the world. If you are not doing something you enjoy, take a chance and jump, you can always go back to doing what you were doing before. Life takes some pretty interesting turns sometimes. You just have to pay attention and smile because you never know what will happen. Keep Smiling Milwaukee and Enjoy the Journey.

Weekend Dogman V.S. Chicago

Arvid In Town — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:27:51 GMT

Well, I dog sat from Friday night to Sunday morning. This was easy, I was lucky to have a good dog. Nothing too weird happened, sorry to report. I did go out on Saturday night with some friends for dessert this was nice. We ventured out to The Cheese Cake Factory. I don't like cheese cake, but there were plenty of other options. This place reminded me of some strange Las Vegas casino restaurant. It does not really have a theme, Egyptian heads atop large columns with very hokey air brush like paintings. These paintings reminded me of those children's airbrush kits that spray air thru a marker. So I was not impressed with the decor. But the desserts were delicious.

I have not seen Bob Hoskins in a movie in a while. I wonder what happened to that guy. I know the Internet is just behind the next screen and I could look it up very easily. But, I am just a bit to lazy to do it right now.

People are always asking me about "How do I feel about who will be the next president?". Well, I am just not really interested in politics. I know that most of them have something good about them and most of them have something bad about them. So when the time comes to vote, I guess I will decide then.

The Super Bowl, Go Colts. Just because I don't really like Chicago or the people. For a big city they have a major snobby attitude. I have been all over this great country visiting most of the major cities, Chicago has no idea. They really need to figure out how to be more like the Mid-west, since they are part of it. Sorry Chicago, I am sure you have some decent people with some decent parts but sometimes you need to remember to chill.

I got some new art for my place framed and hung. This is nice since they are original prints done by some of my friends. I have built a nice collection of art in my place, I am lucky to be an artist living in a community with other artist. Milwaukee has a nice art scene, if you go out and find it other than on Gallery night. It is too bad that most people in this city who say they enjoy art only venture out to see it on gallery night. This is not everybody, but you know who you are. Dang, why do I keep on slamming people? Sorry about that, I am really a pretty upbeat person, I guess I am just a bit tired tonight.

I had pancakes this morning at Beans & Barley, so very nice. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Peace of all Colors

Arvid In Town — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 06:23:41 GMT

Crayons, they are such a big part of life. I think everyone I know has held a crayon and all of there children have held a crayon. My parents held crayons, not as much anymore, but they can remember holding them. Why can't the idea of Peace be as easy as holding a crayon? Maybe we should break down Peace into such a basic idea like a crayon, that everybody would get it. They should put a little message of Peace next to the color, so it is always in our mind.

Start with the children and eventually they will grow and remember the crayons and the Peace. Two good things in one. Just a thought on a brighter future. I had sushi tonight, nice treat. I am happy that the snow has lasted as long as it has. I like the cool crisp morning bite, every day as I step out of my warm eastside apartment. I Did not win the Lottery once again, I know rumors are stating that I did. But this is just not true. If I had won the Lottery, I would have gone to Madison today, that did not happen. Sorry folks, I know I wish I had. I was amazed that a guy in Australia, had his head in a Great White sharks mouth and survived. That is just nuts, but good for him. I have seen Jaws several times and it is an incredible film. I like to fish but have not gone since my brothers best friends bachelor party. I was a bit wasted that weekend, Oh Yeah.

I saw Pirates Of the Caribbean 2, I rate it ok. I was not that impressed, lots of stuff with lack of story. Plus, you have to see the next one. Please finish a movie if you are going to start one. I am not really excited about the next one and will only see it if someone I know owns it. I won't even rent it to see what happens. I am dog sitting this weekend, it should be nice. A change of place where I rest my head. They said I could use there elliptical trainer, I thought this was rather odd. I don't really want to climb onto a machine that my friends have sweat on. This is most likely why I don't belong to a gym. I don't really like other peoples sweat. Even when playing sports, others sweat kind of grosses me out. Lets say a group of us are playing football, we get sweaty and someone gives me a high five. I have to rub my hand on my shorts until I mentally feel it is clean. Just a little thing I guess. I also have a bit of a fear of moths, they just don't fly right. They have no control in flight, Have you ever seen one fly straight? When I was younger I was climbing on the side of a tree fort and a moth bounced off of the side and into my mouth. I was hanging on to the side of the fort, so I did not fall. It then flew into my throat, I swallowed it. I will never forget that nasty powdery feeling in my throat. This is why I have a fear of moths.

Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

What ever happened?

Arvid In Town — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:12:22 GMT

Hey, Did anyone win the "Blog Contest"? I just like to know when a competition is over and who the winner is. This is just something that I find interesting, especially in a competition based on opinions. I helped a good friend of mine Re-Po a car this weekend. That was ok, it was about as much fun as driving a car. I thought it would be more exciting. I thought it would be a little more rough with fighting, running, fighting, and speeding. But I guess that is just for the movies. I sold a painting today. the same painting that I finished last Wednesday. I sent a picture of it to a friend in Italy, who then sent it to a friend of hers in Milwaukee and she bought it today. I thought it was rather funny to create an image, and have it travel all over the world in under a week, and be sold. I think this is now one of the wildest creation to selling stories I have. The Internet is a powerful force. I think back to the schooling days when having to do research for papers, that was fun. Kids have it so much easier now. Dang, that sounds like I am getting old. I did actually walk up hill both ways in the snow, in college. I lived at the top of the hill in valley one at Western Michigan University. We used to get major lake effect snow. It was fun, with cold. I need a new wallet, mine is kind of nasty. I don't know why but I can't find one I like to replace the one I have. I have had the same one for 13+ years. I think I have grown used to it. But now it is starting to fall apart, and smell a bit. It has a slight funk, but only if you get real close to it and take a deep whiff. I do not recommend this. Keep smiling Milwaukee.

Snow Pancakes for Breakfast

Arvid In Town — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:56:45 GMT

I think they should call Coconut Pancakes, Snow Pancakes. I thought of that as I slipped on some ice this morning that was under a light dusting of snow. I luckily caught my balance unlike Dobbie, sorry man. That sounded like a bummer. I read what other people write on this, but I wonder how many other people read what we write? It is very public, but do people really care weather or not if I like waterbeds? I don't like water beds, I slept on one in San Francisco once. It was not the best night of my life. I saw an icicle fall the other day, I was watching water drip from it and all of a sudden it fell. I told my friend and he didn't really seem to care. I thought it was a pretty rare thing to see. In this fast paced world that we live in, how many people actually take the time to slow down and enjoy the nature around us? My guess, hardly any. I think it is nice that Blogs are around so people like me can write all sorts or run on sentences with out being told that there sentences are too long. I guess life is going good at the moment, nothing exciting to report. I have been staying away from Vampires and Vultures lately. I used to hang around all sorts of people that would use me for; art, fake friendships to get into certain crowds, and lots of other very dark things. I am in a brighter place now. I realized that life is short and you never know when it is going to be your time, so be where you want to be. Enjoy it while you have it, live life. I try to never burn bridges but sometimes those bridges are just not for you. Sometimes you need to get in the river and avoid that bridge. Dang, how about a little inspirational speech from your friendly local artist. I got my haircut today, Nice man. Down by the tracks in St .Francis, a few blocks from my studio. We had some nice chats about Vegas, Jambalaya, White Water Rafting, Art, and Christmas. Not to bad for one hair cut. I am helping some friends set up at the Wedding show tomorrow. Front Room Photography, I put that in just for a plug. I like having a flexible schedule, I can help out friends when they need it. After the show set up I am helping another friend move a couch into there house. I guess tomorrow is a "Help Friends Day". I am excited about going to the wedding show set up because you never know who you are going to meet. I always like to meet new people, it keeps life interesting. Keep smiling Milwaukee.

Nice Snow

Arvid In Town — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:26:05 GMT

Well, Monday I just got back to Milwaukee again. I went to Michigan for a little camp fun time. It was so nice, 25 did not feel cold with the sun shining. Le Roy, Michigan is a real northern back woods type of town with nice people. You can't beat that type of realness. I got to hang with my family after camping which is always nice. Detroit got ice Milwaukee got snow. Snow is much better. My flight back took a few extra hours due to delays but I was relaxed so, no worries. When I got home the hallway smells like somebody burnt a pie. It was not a good smell, too bad for them and there pie. Had a veggie burger at Bella's always hits the spot, with an orange slushie. I got some weird looks with my choice of drink, but I was happy. Not much else to let out at this moment, so this is going to be a short one. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Search and Destroy

Arvid In Town — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 03:24:59 GMT

Monday, again. Well I am a bit twisted about the fact that Iggy Pop and the Stooges did not make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. I think they sure did deserve a spot much more so than R.E.M.. They have been busting ass in Michigan since 67'. And did REM ever cut them selves with glass? On purpose? Iggy is the God Father of Punk and there is a reason for it. I know REM has worked hard to get to where they are at, but I don't think it is there time yet. I really do think it is the end of the world as we know it. That is just my opinion on that.

I told myself that I was not going to watch the trump show because of that Rosie V.S. Trump Crap. But I did. I felt a bit sick, watching those people fight. It bothered me watching people in suits complain about having to sleep in new tents with all of this new camping gear after they lost a challenge. I would have been happy to use that stuff. I like camping, so maybe that is why I am not a successful business person in a suit everyday. Some people in suits are nice but these people are not the types I would find myself hanging out with. It is just to bad, they look so weak.

Today I finished a painting for "250 Square Feet of Art" at the Eisner. This is an art auction to raise money for the museum. I think it is nice that organizations come to artist when seeking help. We all say "Yes" of course, but when it come time for the event they charge us to get in. This is something that is not cool. With out us there would not be anything to auction off. We say "yes" in hopes to have the people search us out after the event and maybe give us some business. In all of the events and charities that I have participated with, I have never been contacted afterwards. I have been doing paintings for the Eisner for the last three years and have not once gone to the event, because it is too expensive. I hear that the event has tasty food and live bands, but this is only something that I will see in my dreams. I do not mind creating something to help people out, but maybe give the artist a little something in return. Maybe artist should start a union, so we don't get shafted as much. My website is a bit behind but you can see my latest works at the Frank Allen Gallery in Glendale. www.FrankAllenGalley.com . This is the first gallery to find me out and ask me to be in it. That was three years ago, I can not thank Frank enough. It has been nothing but good working with him. I am working on getting some images together to update my site, please be patient. I had left over Pizza for lunch today, it was not good. I don't know why but when you microwave left over oven pizza it is never as good. I think maybe next time I will try a reheat in the oven.

One more thing, Why does this area not have a spell check? I have to copy and paste it to check it, but after I repaste it then the fine people at OnMilwaukee.com put it up for all to see some strange code shows up. Just a thought on maybe a spell check feature. Keep smiling Milwaukee.

Friday Night Fun

Arvid In Town — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:35:50 GMT

Well, I messed up the days and the Hockey game is tonight(Saturday). Sorry sports fans. I decided to hang with my friend Eron last night. I first went over to his place in Bayview, we ate some pizza then to decide what to do. We went for a drive to Brady St. It was the first time in my life that in January I saw Milwaukee from the great south side in a convertible with the top down. I guess I can maybe thank Global Warming for this one.

It was a nice night. We had a few beers at Listwan's (Bruno's), this place is always good for a few laughs. There were only a few of us drinking when we were there, and when the music stopped playing it was dead silent. I found it rather weird that nobody minded. I put some money in the box and played songs that I wanted to hear. I guess the few Blatzes plus what we drank at Erons got to me, for I picked "I want to Be Sedated" twice. I thought it was rather funny. Maybe I should visit a bar sometime and only pick one song like 8 times, just to see how people react. Then we headed to a video store to rent a flick, it was "See This Movie". We thought we should "See This Movie" it was good. It made me laugh, I thought it must be hard to make a movie inside a movie inside a movie. Well done. Then I headed home to sleep the rest of the night.

Today, I am going to go to the Hockey game. How is that for something to read that does not change your life at all?

It is kind of weird writing stuff just to see if anybody cares about what you did on a Friday night, or if you like grilled cheese, or jelly beans. This whole Blog thing is a wild idea of sharing anything. I have not gone bowling in a good long while. I kind of miss it, I think I will maybe rally some troops this week. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Back in Milwaukee, Now what?

Arvid In Town — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 21:59:24 GMT

Well, I made the drive back. 6 hours of fun. I still find Chicago the last great hurdle in traffic to jump. Why does it always seem to suck? I would think that they could figure it out by now. My apartment is hot, I left the heat valves open when I left. City heat is cheap and works nice, but sometimes it is a bit to much. My landlord got most of my mail, I got a few X-mas cards. It is kind of weird getting them after the holiday. I wonder how long should I hold on to them for? Should I keep them until I get bored of looking at them or until I stop writing phone messages on the backs. People always send me pictures of there kids, this is also something that is funny. I put them on my fridge, but it may make me look like some sort of pervert. If you happen to stop by and see a bunch of kids on my fridge that are not mine, please do not think ill of me. I only do it to remind me that I am a part of peoples lives, and to be more careful. I saw Talladega Nights- The Ballad of Rickey Bobby. It was funny, I laughed alot. I could not go to the dentist for the lady that does the teeth cleaning was not available. Her mother died on New Years. I hope she had a long and fun life, to go out on a holiday must be hard for a family. I get to go camping next weekend with my father and brother, I am stoked. While I was home most of the news was about former president Gerald Ford. He was from Grand Rapids Michigan, they had lots of things on remembering his life. I am going to the Hockey game on Friday, it should be fun. I like hockey, growing up in Detroit with a team to watch. They retired Yzermans jersey the other night. I hope to see some good hockey, even at AHL level. I don't nock AHL, but why does Wisconsin not have a pro team? We have Baseball, Basketball, Football, Why not Hockey? I think we need one. Just something more from WI to pit against IL. I have only had 3 beers this year so far. These all happened after midnight on New Years. I know this will change but it is weird that I can count all of the beers I have had this year so far. Maybe I will keep track for a whole year. That seems like alot of work, so that most likely will not happen. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

Last of the Year

Arvid In Town — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:17:15 GMT

Well, Here it is the last one of the year. I am a bit sick. I don't know if it is an actual cold or my allergies to my parents dogs. I am still in Michigan until the 4th or 6th. I am going over to some friends house to spend the last hours of the year. This has become a tradition since we all left college. I have taken some Bennies and Airborne to try and clear up my head, so I can drink in the New Year. We all spend the night because it is probably the most dangerous night of the year to be on the road, plus we are never in any shape to be on the road our selves. I think it has been a good year, lots happened. I had my first show in New York, I got a new studio, had a few Fires, and I met some people. So all in all it was good. I think 2007 will be better, if it is not I will give up eating honey for the entire year of 2008. I know it is a bold statement, but I will strive for a better year. Politicians should make only statements they can stand behind, I do. It is raining as I write and I am about to go outside to cook up some brats for my parents and I. It will be so very tasty. A few weeks ago a local free rag released the Best OF Milwaukee issue. Some of you may have seen this issue, some of you may have even voted. It bothered me that huge chains beat out locals. This is kind of dumb, it makes me think of how shady advertising works. I am happy to know I can get the "BEST BRAT of MILWAUKEE" here in Detroit while I am on vacation. I spoke to the people at Sil's, they asked if there donuts were better than K. Kreme? I said Sil's was the Best. What gives Milwaukee, do you really like big national chains better than local heroes? I think Mickey D's for best burger next year? Are we going to let ourselves fall to that level? I hope not. Please Milwaukee lets let this year be the best year yet, with less Homicides, more kind vibes. Keep smiling Milwaukee, Have a wonderful and safe New Year.

X-mas was nice Vol. 2

Arvid In Town — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:55:36 GMT

For some reason the first time I posted this Blog some strange code showed up in my writings so, I have decided to re-post it with some extra bonuses.

Christmas was nice, a relaxing one. I went to the Lions game, Ford field is killer. Big and beautiful as any big new stadium can be, it is too bad that it is the home of the Lions. It also sucks that beers cost $7.00 a piece. This is no place to get a buzz. It was not a white Christmas but it was still beautiful. Family can make even the most grey days bright. I played Catch Phrase, for the first time ever this season, with the family. It was most fun, I recommend it to anyone looking for a good group game to play. I do not have a full sized couch, so I have not taken a nap on a couch in a really long time. I think I might try and squeeze one in before I head back to Milwaukee. My sister can belch like the best of them. I think she has this talent because she has two older brothers. Well, she let one rip in the other room and asked if I heard it and I asked "IF SHE WAS BEHAVING LIKE A LADY?" she then tried to blame it on my Mom. All I could do was laugh. I hope it gets way colder in Milwaukee so I can go ice skating this year. I have been saying the last 3 years that I was going to go skating, but never really got around to it. I have never felt an airbag. I wonder if it feels like silk or canvas. If it feels like canvas it would hurt. But hurt less than my steering wheel. Why has Rad, stopped being so cool? I know it is short for Radical. But there has to be a point after the early nineties when people started saying stop saying Rad it is not so cool anymore. But cool has stayed cool since the beatniks in the early part of the twentieth century. What gives and how does society decide what stays and what goes? I saw The Holiday with my family. It was good, but not great or super fantastic. I rate movies on a scale of Sucky>Bad>O.K.>Good>Great>Super Fantastic. This one rated at Good. If you don't want the movie ruined stop reading now.THIS IS YOUR WARNING. Well, I rate it good because it was good. I was not bored. It was kind of a sappy Hollywood love story, everyone was successful in there business lives. It was there love lives that needed work. Can you smell Hollywood here? Then if you mention something more than once in a the first half of a movie, you know it is going to happen in the end. I guess if you are still reading you have seen the film, so if they really wanted to make it a tear jerker they should have killed off the old guy just before his reception and had his new friends talk about how "great" he was. It was kind of funny how he acted lost when he was walking outside, then he was fine the rest of the movie. What was that all about? Jack Black was acting serious in this one even more serious than his role in Nacho Libre. I hope I did not ruin anything for anyone. My mom loved the movie and said if the old guy died it would be to sad and she would not want to see it again, but since it was a Hollywood happy ending, she will most likely end up owning it on DVD. I think it is a good mom movie. I have to go to the dentist on the 2nd of January. I think it will go alright I brush twice a day. Keep Smiling Milwaukee.

X- Mas was Nice

Arvid In Town — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 22:48:43 GMT