The Jesus Christ Monkey Car

Yep, someone took pictures of my car and posted it here, on ClemsonTALK. From there two different people submitted it to digg.com here and here. The second digg got a lot more diggs than the first, 2409 verses 44, at the time of this writing. It also appeared on Neatorama.

I must say it is very entertaining to sit back and observe conversations about my car. I’ve often wondered at the conversation my car inspires. The conversations I get to hear are always questions or discussions aimed at me. When I come upon people observing the car and they realize it’s mine, they will either become sort of embarrassed and say something like, “Oh I was (we were) just looking”, or they will compliment the car, or they will ask me a questions, usually something like, “What’s up with the monkeys?” But I don’t get to hear the conversation that went on before or after our encounter. And then of course whatever they were thinking may or may not be influenced by seeing me.

Reading over these websites and the comments has been raw reaction from people who may or may not have ever even seen an art car. I think my favorite comment was, “I guarantee you that the owner of that car hits the bong every day”.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)

I’m not usually into quoting from the bible, but this seemed appropriate in light of the latest assault on The Jesus Christ Monkey Car. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I noticed it when approaching my car after work on Tuesday of last week. This is what I saw, where this and this used to be. This is the most recent assault on my car.

The one before now is documented here by my friend Paul, and here by me.

I’m not really sure how to take or interpret these attacks on my car. I understand that some people choose to react negatively to my car, but just because someone’s art makes you angry is not reason to destroy it. Besides the fact that this does not seem to be a very “Christian” response (well on the other hand, maybe in some people’s version of Christianity it does). There is another part of me that thinks that maybe this is just the result of random yahoos that come upon my car and decide to see how well stuff is attached, or just decide that they’re going to pull something off, etc. I really can’t say since I’ve never witnessed anyone attacking my car.

It does piss me off when it happens, but it in no way makes me think that I should stop what I’m doing with my car. I’ve received way to many positive responses to let anything like these attacks discourage me.

OK, here goes. I am going to try to keep up with making at least semi regular entries on this blog. I’ve had this site for a while and just recently got my friend, groovehouse to put this blog here. Thanks, man.

My goal is to update with events and happenings with my car and with myself.

It is a week and a half sense Art Car Weekend ‘07 here in Houston. It is always a busy weekend, but this may have been my busiest yet.

Shelley and I hosted 3 guests from out of town, I had two entries in the parade, two shows with Infernal Bridegroom, and 3 gigs with The Defenestration Unit (well one of the TDU gigs did get rained out). All of that in addition to all of the other activities that go along with Houston Art Car Weekend.

Jan Elftman (who has stayed with us the last several years), her sister Sandy, and Carolyn stayed with us this year. Jan is the driver of the famed Cork Truck.  It doesn’t travel much these days so she drove here sister, Sandy’s car from Minneapolis.  I’m not sure what the name of her car is, but is a modern VW Bug with a painted elf and fairy theme.  Our third guest, at least for one night, was Carolyn Stapleton, the driver of the wonderful Stink Bug.  It’s covered entirely with cigarette butts, very cool art car.

I once again entered the Jesus Christ Monkey Car, and once again my good friend groovehouse drove it for me.  My friends Jenni and Charles provided the extra eye candy and shenanigans, dressing as a monkey girl and Super Jesus.  I am very thankful to all of them.  I told Charles that there are not many people who have the balls to dress up like Super Jesus and ride around on a banana scooter.  I was very pleased that it came together so well since I didn’t get to be in that entry this year.  I instead played drums for the Make Noise Not War - The Defenestration Unit music entry.  The trailer was designed and decorated by Ayn Morgan and it was pulled by Shelley’s MPeach Bush truck.  We mostly improvised on the song I Don’t Want to be a Soldier by John Lennon.

That’s enough for a first post.  I’ll complete my summary of ACW on the next entry.