New Vrindaban

For a long time now I've wanted to visit the Pradhapada's Palace (aka the Golden Palace) in New Vrindaban, WV. Since I was telling stories at Oglebay this past weekend I made the trek to the Palace - wow, is it ever worth it. The palace has some 30 or so different types of marble, there is incredible moulding and gold leaf, and you can hear the meowing of peacocks from down near the temple. Photography is prohibited inside the temple, which is where the really astonishing beauty is, so look online for photos inside. There is also an award-winning rose garden, a lake, many statues, and a learning center (an Indian woman who spoke maybe ten English words was able to convince use to come back inside to watch a life story video of the Krishna). There wasn't enough time to visit the restaurant or the lodge, but I would have liked to eat there. This was truly one of the most spectacular places I've been to in my life.

Recent Storytelling Travels

Hey Folks - Well, I've been on the road quite a bit recently and here are some photo updates. In this set you see me at the Vandalia Gathering Old Time for Young 'Uns playing the banjo. Also here are photos of the beautiful Camp Caesar where I told stories for the WV Conservation Camp. Everyone there was very friendly and welcoming.

The art parade

So for my sister and all others interested:
The art parade was an "art" "parade." Much of the genesis came from a collabAttack idea (collabAttack being the art collaborative I'm part of) and was fulfilled as a Visual Thinking project in the art department. Four VisThink classes worked on semester-long projects for the parade, including costumes and sound devices (I won't go into the full assignments here). I helped critique some of the costumes as a guest artist. I also contributed to the research that went behind the sound devices. Members of the music department joined in on parade day.

The campus and parts of town were blocked off on parade day and the 80+ participants paraded through campus and town (in the rain, I should add). The police helped out and the mayor got really mad but Sonya Evanesko (art dept faculty) came to the rescue. What a parade!

Old things from my camera #4

A vid of the art parade.

Old things from my camera #3

Here's one of the Shepherd U. President at the end of the Art Parade. Then there is a drawing of one of my students and his twin brother hitting me with their car.

Old things from my camera #2

Photos from the very awesome Shout Out Louds/Freelance Whales concert at the 9:30 club.

Old things from my camera #1

Some photos from Second Job Birthday parties and another funny sign from the volcano.