NOW 8/30/02

>> This morning Bend was made an another offer to share in a large amount of money. Again, by an African. Miss Halimat Efe of Nigeria made us a "COMPASSIONATE PLEA" to be rich with her. "I now hold to my chest the particulars of the funds $20,500,000.00."

That's BILLION. We could retire -- and so could ALL OF YOU! We'll keep you posted. If this works and you want a check, send us your address.


>> Robert Crumb is 59 today. Bend wonders... what does Crumb think of Serena Williams?


>> I don't know what else.

Oh yeah, here's something -- it's doubtful that many of you are motocross fans out there, but a pretty amazing thing is happening on the AMA national outdoor MX curcuit this year that I think you should know about. The races are all but over, only one remains in Pennsylvania. In the 250cc class there is a young man named Ricky Carmichael who has won EVERY SINGLE MOTO OF EVERY RACE THIS YEAR so far. That's 22 straight races on the outdoor nationals -- arguably the most demanding off road race curcuit in the world. Not only has he won every race he's led 323 of the 336 laps and won the races with an average of approx 30 seconds between himself and the 2nd place finish. He wrapped up the season after 20 wins -- already the champion with 2 nationals left. This is unheard of in MX, if not most all motorsports. He's broken all the records and is about the set the benchmark of A PERFECT SEASON -- 24 motos. We'll know on the Sunday afternoon of September 1st after the Steel City national. I'll be listening from my little office chair in San Pedro. Then, next week, it's a 3 day riding trip where I will pretend to be a fraction as good as Mr. R. Carmichael. Wish us both luck.

In the 125 class, even more records are being broken -- by a 16 year-old phenom in his rookie year, James "Bubba" Stewart. In the Carmichael style, Bubba (here's a Gibey pic of Bubba leading the pack) has won most of his motos this year and led most of the laps by large margins. He also has wrapped up the championship in the 125cc class with one race yet to go -- a record in itself. And he's also the first African American to win an AMA National MX Championship. Did i say he was only 16 years old. Veteran 125 racer, Larry Ward, has been racing the nationals longer than Bubba has been alive. Good God.





NOW 8/28/02

>> This looks to be an epic effort in indy publishing. "Look Homeward, Aphid : Rock Salt" is only Book One in what promises to be an incredible journey of hand-crafted beauty and rarely matched originality. It is the child of painter Joe Sorren and writer, Matt Hall. This is a wonderful project : a limited edition hardbound book and CD of the text (unabridged) with other goodies placed into a hand-made wooden box. No detail was spared here. I believe the first run of this project is sold out, but the 2nd and final run is still attainable through Joe's website. Go there and look at it -- there is a really nice photo of the package. MAD MAD PROPS to Joe and Matt.


>> Tobin Yelland, acclaimed photographer and all around good egg, has a new website. It's a nice place to cruise through a sampling of his work -- which is always an eye-opener.


>> Ed Templeton and Thomas Campbell both have shows in Paris, France in the next couple months. Got any mileage racked up?

T-Moss is at Colette with "Awakea - A Collection of Incidentals," part of the Arkitip/Colette 3rd year celebration (see samples of the printed catalog at Arkitip).

"The Essential Disturbance" is Ed's effort is shown at Palais de Tokyo in the Site de Création Contemporaine in Paris. There's a book for this show as well (lots of publishing happening these days -- keep your collection up), "The Golden Age of Neglect"

Best of luck to the both of them.





THEN 8/26/02

>> Welcome to the 20th edition of Bend Now. We have returned from a two week road trip to Oregon and back. Along the way we read the 4th Harry Potter book "The Goblet of Fire" and the C.S. Lewis classic, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," drank a lot of Gatorade, flew kites on the beach, saw good old friends and skated some great cement parks. Bend recommends you go get in your car a drive for a few days. Clears the palate.


>> African nationals keep wanting to give us money. I, personally, have gotten emails from over a couple dozen dudes asking for my help and in return they promise make me rich. Hmmm. They must read Bend and know we are broke. One of the following fellas may just fund the next Bend literary effort:

• Dr. Brown Dumbushe, Zinbabwe
• Dr. Frank Banko, Enugu, Nigeria
• David Mosanga, Uganda
• Abba Abacha, Kano, Nigeria
• Dr. Mike Obiku

Which one do we choose? Do you think BANKo has the most bling?


>> FOB Mark Lewman's biography of the amazing Mat Hoffman is due to be released next month. This book was no small effort -- much like Mat's wondrous career. We saw the designed gallies while in Eugene and it looks VERY interesting. A Harper Collins release, the book's initial print run is 2 or 3 million or something... not Bend level publishing, friends. This is the real deal. Congrats to both Mat and Lew.


>> Seaking of Lewman, his lost issue of Dirt Magazine (#8) is now seeing the light of day over on Bob Kronbauer's new issue of Crownfarmer. The Master Cluster's (Lew along with Jenkins and Jonze) last hurrah with Lang Publications in NYC is online in it's rough form. The issue never went to print and was never given the final once over.... but there it is anyway, for those interested. The content is somewhere near 10 years old now.


>> FOB Evan Hecox now living in Denver, Colorado.


>> There are two crafty wordsmiths we need to point you two. Both will make you laugh out loud. One is on the B Team, Megan Baltimore, author of the now infamous "Ring, Ring" on Crailtap. The other? Mary Chen, former Grand Royaler. Check her piece on the art of evading felatio, "Tips for Fellatio Acquisition."


>> The "Would" show opening reception at the Three Gallery in San Pedro, California, was a great success. Many thanks to all who attended. About 80% of the wooden Girl figurines were sold on that opening night (approx 70 of them were made in total, by the Girl Art Dump and friends). Bend will try to post a gallery of them in the archives soon. A personal thanks to Edith Abeyta for putting this thing together in a timely, stress free and professional manner. Thanks, Edie. And thanks to Bob for the excellent homebrew. And, of course, the very talented Ray Barbee for providing the soothing sounds of accompaniment.

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