All that matters is that I'm doing it, is that I'm here. That we're here. All that matters is that Duke and IFSM and The Natmobile and Ripper the Friendly Shark and Max the Daredevil Finmobile, that our cars are here in South Dakota on the move and in the public eye and that we're fine. All of us, we're doing just fine. And the story will be published, in more places and more ways and with more payoff than I can imagine. And Ramon will get his film made, no matter if it's a film of half a dozen art cars leaving him in the dust. We're here, on the road and an inspiration to all who see and meet us.

Sake by the Lake

Gonzo in the late night dregs of afterthought. Sake with Bird and Chloe on the verandah. Email at long last today after over a week on the road. Several messages from Jill make me hungry for all the things she gave me.. companionship, constant love. A box of wine a questionable investment with funds now down into the below $100 range. But it made me feel good to sit in Duke in the rain and play music and glue laminated photos of friends and loves past onto Duke's ceiling, to construct a verandah beneath which the gang could sit, the two tikki torches holding the tarp out from the car just far enough. Feeding Chloe a Darvo through the ship's port hole window, making a game of it whereby I told her she had to stick her tongue through the "pharmaceutical delivery porthole" to receive her painkiller.

I had fun tonight, I really did. Sitting here in my condominium on wheels, deciding to at long last tear out the front passenger seat back to give me some much-needed room to clamber about, to get from the driver's seat to the back and most importantly, from the passenger door straight up through the hatch without the hassle of moving the seat forward. I had fun reveling in my accomplishment once done, sliding forward with ease to turn the key in the ignition and grab the p.a. microphone, freaking out the curious camper kids from next door with a sudden burst of grumbling sound beneath Duke's hood. I had fun. Really I did. Despite the rain, I had fun sipping wine with my friends, making rice, eating salad prepared by Chiquita in the rain, eating salmon cooked by Ramon. I had fun.

I miss Jill. Reading her email messages and her sense that perhaps I didn't want to communicate with her anymore because it had been so long since my last reply.. mmm. It was tough. I go to bed alone with Jill ever-richly on my mind. I go to bed now thankful for the dryness my big ole army tent affords me in this Black Hills drizzle, yet somewhat damp and dissatisfied. What have I done? What did I give up to come on this mad journey? Sleep now, for in a few short hours Seven will be up and talking to his dog at the top of his voice.

Dispatch to Rolling Stone Magazine

Today, we make history.

Today, we touch lives in a way unique to history, by means so beautiful and genuine and specific to each member of our clan, that surely no one will ever replicate this day.

Today, we inspire America to smile for no other reason than we can, we do. We are the smile-makers. We are the equalizers, such that people of all walks of life come to us with the tale and their lives, with their two-cents and innocence, with their take on the meaning of life.

Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyrighted by the artists and/or
by Pineapple Publishing and Consulting
Art Cars in Cyberspace ©2004 Pineapple Publishing and Consulting
Contact us at artcars@artcars.com

Last update April 1, 2004