Closing in

I started putting in details and textures. For the first time since I started this painting, I feel confident that I can finish. The end is in sight. There will be more 8 hour shifts for the next few days. But It's just about zoning in and doing what I need to do. 

Happy Jan 13th Everybody

I drive with my foot up next to the steering wheel like this. It's super comfortable to me. I know it's probably dangerous. I always think about that scene in Death Proof. 

My friend Austin's dad, Mark, used to drive with his foot up like this. Austin said it was because Mark learned how to drive on a farm when he was very young. But now I know that it's just a very comfortable way to drive.

Me and Austin were best friends when I was in the third grade. We used to skateboard in front of his house. He had 2 jump ramps he build with Mark.

We lived two houses over from one another so when we couldn't hang out we would jump on our trampolines and yell to each other across the neighbor's yards.

I still remember what his phone number was.

The first time I landed a kick flip I called Austin immediately. 

The first time I ever listened to Eminem was with Austin.

We would draw hearts around the girls in the yearbook we had crushes on.

Austin stopped coming around for a while. Then when he did he was all messed up inside. I asked what was up. He swore me to secrecy. I swore. Then he told me his parents were getting divorced. 

And I would've taken that secret to my grave. 

A few weeks later my mom asked if I was keeping a secret. I told her I didn't know what she was talking about. She said something like "well played...I know about Austin's parents, though...his mom told me."

She told me that she was proud of me for keeping my friend's secret like that. 

His mom stayed in the house a few houses down. His dad moved into a house by the park.

One time I stayed the night at Austin's dad's house. We rented Zoolander from Blockbuster. When Derek Zoolander's male model friend lights the cigarette at the gas station, causing everyone to die in a freak gasoline fight accident, Mark said "You guys that's the stupidest thing a person could do."

Other than that, I can't think of many strong memories of Mark. 

But I think about him every time I'm driving with my foot up like that. Which is every time I drive.

Have Fun

Goodnight Sweeties