Writing the bloggingness is not unlike living the life of Sisyphus.

Not to be mistaken for ‘Sissy Fuss’.
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And though I’ve read it in the past, it was never made clear to me that a big Burmese cat had a role the story;
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I’m really not such a nerd that I know the difference between breeds. It’s just that I grew up with a rescue that we had, and am pretty fond of their smashed faces.

And it’s also because I’m a nerd.

Anyway, I cite the plight of Sisyphus as a bit of an analogy. Except it’s not a rock that rolls back down the hill which must be retrieved, but rather a new post that I must write because the internet is a fickle place and if I skip even a day, the AHTBM audience will forget about me and by the week’s end, I will be living in a refrigerator box.

The only exception being that hunting and pecking is way easier than carrying heavy things, though in both instances, we’re wearing a diaper and sash.

But before we get into my specific fashion choices, it was via Kevin that I found a piece of the greatest news I’ve heard this year regarding a graphic novel written and drawn by two people named Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon called Preacher;
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It’s one of the single greatest pieces of literature I’ve ever read, and after well over a decade’s worth of rumors, false starts and their inevitable stops, it seems as though AMC has finally stepped up with Seth Rogan as its Executive Producer to bring it to the screen.

If you know the story, then you know how exciting this news is. If you do not, I will gladly loan everyone my volumes of books so that you can catch up, and prepare yourselves. It’s gonna be epic®.

This also proves without much of a doubt the aforementioned nerdiness.

Moving on to other topics- I’ve not made it a secret that I think the current trend of camouflage everything is not at all my cup of tea.

As far as I’m concerned, the trend began and ended with SE Racing. Yet this hasn’t stopped everyone from everybody to everybody else from jumping on the camo bandwagon. So it certainly was with a polished silver fork that I ate my words upon the leak of Scum City’s 2014 kit;
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At some point, SC’s Will The Tiny Viking emailed me and asked if I’d be alright with him putting a Black Market and EVIL Cycling logo on the kit.

Naturally I said yes because I’m a whore of unprecedented proportions, and certainly now having seen their efforts, I’m thankful that I did and I am.
I’ve never been a grasser, not have I ever sewn a patch onto my pants with dental floss, but nevertheless, Scum City’s kit speaks to me on so many emotional levels, I feel like I’m in therapy.

Eventually there will be an order window open so that the great, unwashed masses can get their hands on some of these goods, but until then, you’ll just have to bathe in the soothing sounds of EYEHATEGOD and call it good;

In news not pertaining to hailing Satan upon a bed of the weed, as anyone who maybe has paid attention to this blog thing in recent days is aware, Nowheresville SF, Swobo and I collaborated on an art exhibition showcasing non-bike art made by fully bike types of people this past Saturday night.

I was a little bummed with the weather gods for taking a piss on me, but it’s been so dreadfully dry these last many, many months, I couldn’t hassle them too badly. Alas, the wet weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of various party goers, as the young and old, the beautiful and the non-beautiful all came together to celebrate our collection of non-bicycle related art;
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Unfortunately, for the first time ever I wasn’t concerning myself with taking photos, which ultimately meant I had to scramble to find photos taken by anyone else.

That will learn me;
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Photos by Kevin Charlie Murphy
In a burst of inspiration, gallery proprietor Paul and I decided to get a limited edition of FVK patched cüzies made by the one and only Corndog of Dank Bags fame;
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Eventually I’ll have those up for sale in the store, so for those who weren’t able to make it through, yet still would like a slice of history what be capable of keeping your canned beverage cold, we’ll have you covered.
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Photos by James Wilson
It was a fantastic evening filled with nice people, great art and for the most part, stimulating conversation.

Typically Paul is in the gallery on Tuesday-Friday, noon to six, however he spends a lot of time in the back making art and can’t always hear a rap on the door. I have been bestowed a set of keys to the space and for the next six weeks will be periodically pulling my weight doing some gallery sitting.

If you would like to stop in and see the work, please do. Just so we make sure not to miss one another, shoot me an email to stevil(at)allhailtheblackmarket(dot)com beforehand and I’ll make sure I’m available. (Editor’s note-If you are reading this on Monday, and the sun is up, I’m like, here right now.)

Anyhow, all walks were present and accounted for. Bike people? Check. Non-bike people? Check. Art people? Check. Kinda baller, like, legit art world muckity muck type of people? Yep- A check for them too.

Though the thing that made the greatest impression on me was a fellow offering thanks for taking the effort to parlay a thing that was virtual, (this here website which you be reading upon) to something physical, (Saturday’s congregation of people looking at art made by other people who enjoy the riding of bikes.)

That simple observation meant the world to me, as it’s really all I could have hoped for.

All of this daily effort might be a proverbial boulder, constantly and repeatedly rolling back over me, but it’s our boulder that’s constantly and repeatedly rolling back over me, and after hearing his acknowledgment, I wouldn’t possibly have it any other way.
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5 Responses to “Writing the bloggingness is not unlike living the life of Sisyphus.”

  1. Bobo Clown February 10, 2014 at 7:42 am #

    I am indeed a bike nerd and was thrilled to get outside of the East Bay in a pouring rain storm to see the non-bike art and to rub shoulders with some very cool people. Thanks for putting on the show!

  2. One Eyed z February 10, 2014 at 8:25 am #

    Although I consider myself a fan of graphic novels I was unaware of Preacher until you brought it to my attention.
    I did a quick internet search and it turns out the public library down the street has volumes 1-9 available for check out and I promptly reserved them. (They have a good graphic novels that I recently discovered and have borrowed from).
    Looks like I know what I’m gonna do this afternoon (after I go out for a cold and snowy ride on the Krampus that is). Curl up on the couch with a cup of joe and a good book.

    In other news I’m sure you would be happy to hear/read, my little lady is convinced that our ageing cat Mr. Binks needs a buddy. Pickles (the farm kittie) will be weaned from her mother and joining us in our home next week.

  3. Watts February 10, 2014 at 8:39 am #

    Camus’ breakdown of Sisyphus was, outside of Sartre’s NAUSEA, the defining text of my life for like… eternity. Retrieving it from my bookshelf, I just noted that it’s shelved directly above the Preacher volume. You’re a wizard, aren’t you?

  4. burnt February 10, 2014 at 9:24 am #

    I am excited to see the preacher make it to AMC but how are they going to do it? As we say here in Portland East, “this is going to be interesting.” Ultra-violence? Check. Dark themes? None blacker. Depravity? Undefeated champ.

    Does anyone have Oakland native Ed Meese’s email address? I want to let him know the date of the premiere. I’d pay good money to watch his reaction to the opening scenes of this little drama.

    I wish people involved in this production good luck–don’t foul it up. Now I have to go dig that first book off my shelf…

  5. One Eyed z February 10, 2014 at 9:26 am #

    Oh and I want that Scum City kit. Yes I do.