7.21.1996

Right now I'm at a coffee shop waking up. It's located on the corner of 13th and Grand Avenues. After I'm finally awake I'm going to go check out the races at the Spokane speedway. It's located on the west side of the city near Fairchild AFB and a maximum security prison. Strange area over there. All three, the speedway, the AFB survival training range, and the prison are all close to each other. There's signs along the roads demanding drivers do not pick up hitchikers. From what I've seen up here so far I wouldn't pick up anyone within a hundred miles of this place. I don't think I'll go to Montana today. I've only been here for a few weeks and I've still got two and a half months minimum to go and see the the neighboring states if I want to.

Yesterday afternoon I went into an art gallery next to the 4,000 Holes record store. The guy that runs the art gallery seemed pretty cool. Instead of doing a consignment deal for local artists he simply allows them to rent wall space by the month. That's an excellent idea. Also to bring in extra foot traffic he has art classes for children a few days a week. Most of the stuff on display was paintings of the rustic great outdoors or had a definite Western theme to it, but there were a few interesting abstract and progressive pieces.

One artist on display at the gallery makes beautiful drops of glass that have different color patterns inside of them. At the bottom of each droplet there is sort of a fisheye lens that allows you to see the color pattern like a blown up kaleidoscope. Very clever. Apparently this guy considers himself to be more of a scientist than an artist because of the different chemicals and temperatures he has to control to make the glass. When they are finished the glass droplets are meant to be worn as necklaces. He only charges six bucks each for them so I think I'm gonna get one for my Mom and one for Jennifer. I'll surprise them both with them when I get home.