Bud lent me this fine polaroid to scan when I first visited Durango…

I went to the June 8 O’Banion’s Punk Rock Bar reunion of a group of old punk rockers I hung out with from the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.  I worked at the bar in ’79 and ’80.  A head banging good time.  Here are the photos I took.  I got a little carried away and added a sound track and credits, etc.  The whole thing is about 25 minutes long.

Please enjoy…

09APR2012 – In Durango, I assisted Bud with one of his bullet art works.

We started with a trip to the local gun shop to get ammunition.  I think we bought around 150 rounds.

Back at the ranch, Bud shored up vertically a massive piece of a Douglas fir beam.  It was around 8”x16”x30” if memory serves.

We loaded up all the guns at our disposal: two .380’s, one 9mm, three .40 S&W.  Everything is semi-auto.

It was a beautiful day.

Bud’s goal was to vertically split the 8” face of the beam exactly in half by shooting bullets at it.  This strategy meant that all of our shots would have to land on the vertical centerline of the 8” beam.  So we shot at point blank range to ensure accuracy.

It took about 100 rounds to split the beam.  The bullet patterns were beautiful and intriguing.  I didn’t get a picture of it yet but will next time in Durango.

		Bud Meditates Before the Shoot VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I stood by, an able and willing and obedient assistant.  For me, sustained short-term firing was the best part.

More to come about the strange world of Durango…

08APR2012 – From Santa Fe, I went to Durango to see Bud and Sofia Madeen.  I hadn’t seen them for 27 years.  I think their most remarkable achievement since I last saw them is their beautiful daughter, Zoë, whom I had not met previously.  They have nine acres in a beautiful area of Durango.  They built a magnificent home and studio here both of there own design.

Their talents are many including architecture, interior design, and fine arts.  Bud is now pursuing organic farming.

Bud, for the most part, is the Bud I remember with the addition of the wisdom of the ages.  He is as innovative and enthusiastic as ever.

Smart, smart and pretty Sofia seems to do everything with a verve I thought not possible from a single human being.  She pedals a bicycle over distances that would challenge a motor.  I get tired just watching her.

Zoë inherited the best of her parents.  She is beautiful and enthralling with a quiet charm that is both youthful and mischievous.

The Land of Bud, Sofia, Zoë VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

26MAR2012 – Opie took me to the hoppin’ young person’s section of Austin famous for its vibrant music scene.  There were lots of bars there where the bands perform but it was Sunday or Monday so not many young people were out vomiting in the streets.  The neighborhood had great atmosphere and tradition.  Next time I will go on a weekend and get some snaps that people will pay me not to publish.

So Opie took me to the bat bridge.  Austin has this big bridge under which thousands of bats live.  People gather near the bridge before sunset to wait for the bats to emerge in force shortly after sunset.  But it didn’t happen this evening.  I caught a glimpse of a few but nothing spectacular.  Fucking bats.

But I did see Lady Gaga there sitting right in front of us.  Here are the pics…

		Where the Fuck are the Bats, GaGa? VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

…but I lost my notes on where I met her and her name.  I think it was in Tehachapi, California.