Eric Valdez

Tonight I missed both the series finale of Mad Men and what was sure to be really good episode of Entourage. I wouldn’t have missed those shows unless I was doing something that was going to be a lot of fun and worthy of skipping a very pleasurable television experience. I met a hero of mine, Mr. Ian MacKaye. He’s best known for bieng the frontman of the influential Minor Threat and Fugazi and for being the head of Dischord Records. He’s currently in The Evens and he was also in a few other really good, but lesser-nown bands.

Ian was at Hollywood High wrapping up a short California tour of Q&A shows. He started the show spending over five minutes answering a question that I asked. After the show I talked to him along with a group of fellow fans and autograph seekers after the two hour session. I think that means I won’t be lying if I tell someone that I met him and we had a conversation.

He is one of the handfull of people who directly influenced the kind of music that every band I was in played. I wouldn’t probably wouldn’t be painting if it wasn’t for punk rock so Ian Mackay’s music means a lot to me.

I’ll post a couple of pictures later.

UPDATE:

As some of you may know, my mind is a vault of incredibly useless information. Since I have a head full of random facts, I decided to audition to be a contestant on Trivial Pursuit: America Plays. I didn’t make it on to the show as a contestant because; as it turned out, some of the questions at the audition didn’t have anything to do with old TV shows or comic books. I did; however, make it onto the show as part of “America’s Team” and one of my questions will be used on the show tomorrow.

I’m not sure which of the three questions that I asked will be used on the show but there’s a good chance that any one of them will show everyone what a complete geek I am. If my team beats the fools in the studio then I’ll get some money. I doubt I’ll be lucky enough to be on the winning team, but pleae keep your fingers crossed anyway.

The show airs twice on Ch. 11 at 3:00pm and 3:30pm, but I don’t know what time the episode I’m on will air. Set your DVR if you want to see me look like an enormous dork on a nationally syndicated game show between 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Saturday I stopped in at Cactus Gallery in lovely Eagle Rock, CA for my first group show there. It was a rad experience. I don’t know where the pizza that was there came from, but it was rad. Seriously. Best pizza ever. I must find out where it came from.

Anyway, there was a bunch of rad art there and it was all way reasonably priced. So much so that even I was able to afford a rad piece.  I just tried to insert a picture of what I picked up, but I’m having some trouble with that right now. Until then, here’s a picture of it from the artist; Damon O’Keefe’s blog. This dude’s blog is a good time. Take a look.

After stopping in at Cactus my homie Hector and I took of to Casita del Pueblo for the show over there. We got there a little late but still had a rad time and saw some more Dia De Los Muertos inspired pieces.

See the post below for more info on both shows.
UPDATE: It was brought to my attention that I use the word “rad” way too much. I will try to correct that.

Saturday, October 11th is going to be pretty nuts. I have work featured in two shows and I plan on going to both openings. I predict a night of good times.

CACTUS GALLERY in Eagle Rock

Casita del Pueblo in Uptown Whittier

Hit the EVENTS page for more info