I Exist Here.

Our dear sweet friend Gambit passed away this past week. Gambit was a beautiful Kakariki from New Zealand. He was a good buddy and had a great sense of humor. He seemed so happy and content with his life at our new home in Hampden, we hope he enjoyed a little bit of heaven living here over the last two months. Gambi was very important to me, he’s been in our family for more than half of my life. Beautiful Gambit died at about 15 years old.

I love him and I miss him so much. I just want to hear him chirp and watch him dance. Goodbye old friend!

Chris X, Carmen and HR Giger

From a visit to Switzerland

These awesome pictures were taken by Return to the Pit Radio Show Photographer Aaron Pepelis at the Maryland Death Fest 2009. WWW.RETURNTOTHEPIT.COM. They rule. We ruled that day also, as did the fest as a whole. Pig Destroyer were great. Good times. Recognize the Surroundings T-Shirt Design?

These photos mainly feature the beach and the aquarium museum that we visited in Florida. I can’t remember the names of either, but I’ll try to add them later.

Beach Beth, Florida 2009

Beach Florida 2009

Beach Beth, Florida 2009

Beach Beth, Florida 2009

Beach Beth, Florida 2009

Beach Beth, Florida 2009

Beth, Florida 2009

Birds, Florida 2009

Birds, Beth, Beach, Florida 2009

Linda and Lee Conrad, Florida 2009

Clown Fish and Anemone, Florida 2009

Fish, Florida 2009. What type of fish is this? Comment?

Jellyfish, Florida 2009.

Archetuethis “The Giant Squid” Corpse, Florida 2009. They have this guy displayed in a watery sarcophagus.

Archetuethis “The Giant Squid” Corpse, Florida 2009. Notice his beak.

Large enough Squid Corpse, Florida 2009. Beth likes it.

Look at us. Photo: Linda Conrad.

For our two year anniversary, Beth and I drove to Ladew Gardens. Here are some transposed light images.

Beth at home after our trip.

Beth at Ladew Gardens.

Beth at Ladew Gardens.

Beth at Ladew Gardens.

Beth at Ladew Gardens.

Beth at Ladew Gardens. This is the Buddha Bush.

Ladew Gardens 2009.

Ladew Gardens 2009. Are these Coy Fish or are they a Japanese Giant Goldfish? What’re they called? Comment pls.

Ladew Gardens 2009. They came right up to us like little fish puppies, they’re very aware.

Ladew Gardens 2009.

Noel at Loch Raven Reservoir, photo by Beth.

I got to visit my parent’s new villa in Florida. They’ve moved my Grandparents in as well. It’s a very nice situation. My mom, also known as GojiGirl has the most amazing Godzilla toy collection. See it for the first time here! When you’re finished drooling over it on your screen, visit www.chibigojitoys.com and start your collection today! She sells the most amazing toys from that site. I recently redesigned it for her as a Christmas present to make it easier to work and view. Now, on to the main attraction!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

GojiGirl’s Most Amazing Collection!

Me with my parents, Lee and Linda

GojiGirl with Godzilla’s Creators! M1 Eiji Tsuburaya!

GojiGirl with Godzilla’s Creators! M1 Eiji Tsuburaya!

My Grandfather Robert “Pap” having breakfast!

Two generations of awesome, Robert and Linda!

Two generations of awesome, Robert and Linda!

My creators!

My creators!

My creators!

Beth in front of a painting handed down from my Grandfather Conrad’s second wife, Nancy.

Nigel, Queequeg and I were hanging out at home and decided to have a good time.


Soundtrack: “Steppy” by BS2000

We are never really safe and you can never let your guard down.

The following information is being posted mainly as an illustration to remind you what Baltimore is really like and the sort of people it breeds. Also, so I don’t have to repeat the story numerous times.

Around 8:15pm last night I found myself contemplating how cold it was. My thoughts were musings, I was thinking how silly it was that my eyes were tearing up from the cold wind. I walked alone with my thoughts down a fairly nice street not far from York Rd, near Towson. I heard the quick sounds of feet scuffing the street. I recognized that sound, although it’s been a long time since I’ve had to hear it. No more than an instant later I was picking myself up off the ground as quickly as possible.

I had been struck from behind in the back of the head. My vision was filled my pulsing colors, I couldn’t see out of my left eye, and I was being kicked.

I knew as soon as I had heard the footfalls that I was about to be attacked. Unfortunately the blow to the back of my head had come too quickly and I was off-balance, disoriented, stunned and blinded.

I wasn’t unconscious and for that I was lucky. I picked myself up and fast as I could and spun to my left. At this time I realized that there were two black men to my left, one behind and to the right of me. I squared off momentarily to judge if I was going to need to defend myself from any more strikes. I pointed my eyes at the attackers, they were black males approximately 26-29 years of age probably each around 5′ 11″ to 6′ 1″. One of them said, “Where’s the money?”.

I instantly darted to my left, ran about 20 feet back the direction I had come and tripped over the step of a walkway belonging to a residential home.

As I was running I noticed that there was another man, who must have been hanging back behind the others, he was in the street, moving parallel to me.
Three men descended on me again. I was kicked in the ribs. Again one man said, “Where’s the money? Don’t get up.”

I got up. I ran again towards the direction I had come. I began yelling “Help!” as loud as I could. I ran into the street, hoping maybe someone would be driving this street that would spook them off.
I turned back again to look behind me (facing west now). It was at this point that I realized they had another man in a car, slowly cruising the same direction I was running. I saw more headlights coming down the street in my direction. I waved my arms and called for help. They turned right, just a half block from where I was standing. I’m under the impression that they may have called the police.
It didn’t appear that I was going to get any help. I turned around again (facing east now).
It occurred to me, as I was running for my life, that I was probably about to be run over by the man in the car. I dashed to my right across the street between two parked cars.

All my turning and arm waving had given the pursuers time to catch up. One man caught me by the jacket, I grabbed his collar and he punched me right in the jaw.
I fell backwards off the curb into the street and for the third time they encircled me looking down and kicking.
No one had come to help yet and I knew I was too damaged to try to escape. Fighting back against three men in my condition seemed to me like an easy way to get murdered or brutalized.
Someone said. “Stay down!”
I said, “Alright, here!”
I took my wallet out, handed it over.
Someone said, “Is that a laptop?”
This whole time, I had been carrying my laptop bag slung over my shoulder. They took my bag with my laptop inside.
Someone said, “Get up and get shot.”
At this time I believe they all got in the vehicle and headed eastbound.
When I collected myself, they had already gone. I picked myself up and headed back towards York Rd. I called the police, they took me to the station to file the report.
Thanks go to Ricky, Beth and Tim for their help and support through the night. Also to Det. Willis for buying a beaten up guy a coke, which was really very nice.
I don’t believe I have any permanent injuries, except maybe some brain damage. Everything will heal, I’m still alive. I feel like I have a minor concussion.

Be careful out there, try not to walk alone, be very mindful of your surroundings and remember that no matter where you are, there is someone who wants to fuck you up and take your shit.