The Warehouse

Damn my inability to keep a camera on me at all times.

I'm going to illustrate this post by explicitly using clips or picture references from outside sources...

I've spent the past few consecutive nights hanging out with the same people - grads from the photography and video art programs, specifically. They have undoubtedly made this transition easier by actively pursuing me to hangout. I half-expected to fall into some sort of clique after getting here. It's natural. Though, I couldn't have anticipated how fast it would approach. You are more or less surrounded by your colleagues throughout the entire week during seminars or cinematheque so a shake up in any static activity is imperative. Summer breaks, new people, etc.

Last night we headed downtown to meet with Chris and the group's other friend, Guy, who rents a room in a large building dubbed "The Warehouse." The place is essentially a large warehouse with some remodeled rooms located on each level. Each one of the many levels has a ridiculous amount of open space for the tenants to do whatever it is they desire. It's their community area that they are allowed to customize.

I'm going to walk you through this place as best I can because I want you, my reader, to truly understand how much of a spectacle it was to visit. This clip from 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will serve as my preface:

Note: Sam Rockwell as Head Thug

Ok, save for a bunch of arcade games, twelve-year-olds drinking Dad's Rootbeer, playing hold'em, and Master Tatsu looming around challenging fights, there was an amalgamation of absurd toys. It was as if a large Boys and Girls Club center finally buckled under the pressure of the most angsty of teens compelled to take over.

I jammed on what appeared to be a 25-piece drum kit, rode wheelchairs and scooters in huge square formations, skateboarded on a small ramp, played ping pong, swung on a swing set, played with a leaf blower, etc . Those were just a few of the options I took advantage of. The real beauty was in the decor. Multitudes of chairs, televisions, projector screens, lamps, mannequins, tables, all from various time periods, occupied, but not completely filled, just the one level I was on. All of it was neatly arranged for guests to be fully enraptured by.

You could turn the ordinary:














Into a true video armageddon:











Honestly, even Rufio would jump at the chance to pay rent here and he thinks all grown-ups are pirates...