pond patrol

there is a coffeehouse near my home which i visit everyday. vanilla latte and a ham and cheese croissant. it rarely waivers and it is one of the more consistent aspects to my current lifestyle.

i have become well-acquainted with most of the staff there over time, but there are a couple of people who really stand out for me. jenna and gio. i actually see jenna more often 'cuz she works on sunday morning and i usually go in after my run around city park. i work very part time in private dining and she is a caterer and cook, she loves art, and so we always seem to have things to chat and joke about. and her husband gio is very hospitable and charming. he is from brazil, he is an artist, is in a band, and is the sweetest guy on the planet. (at least when it comes to me)

i am going to highlight his website today. his art consists of developing a science fiction adventure and using dolls to photograph, catalog, and document his characters evolution and to motor the storyline. so when you check out his site, know well that, on any given day, he can be found around denver posing his dolls and taking multiple photographs, working in the early hours and the wee hours. and that he is dedicated and for me it is completely enchanting.

here is some background taken from his site:

Historical facts:
In an undisclosed area in the US, lays a natural pond once part of the Mulberry Ridge National Laboratory. The pond was used during the early 1970's by the Marine Corps for training in recon maneuvers and later by Dr. Louis Kawamoto, during experiments with the Space Reactor Program (Nuclear Thermal Propulsion). After The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 was signed, the site became a Nuclear Dump Site for its unusual great depth. Since 1990, DOE's Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM) have decontaminated and dismantled more than a 100 contaminated facilities across the country including the Mulberry Ridge Pond.

In 2002, three EPA Research Biologists disappeared while conducting experiments in the pond and the Department of Navy has also reported two missing soldiers from a Marine Corp Recon Squad training in the area. There is speculation in the scientific community that the pond was never completely decontaminated. There are even accounts from some Marine soldiers about oversized plants and strange animals around the pond's adjoining regions. A year later after an unsuccessful rescue for the missing biologists turned tragic with a helicopter crash, the US Marine Corps deployed small patrol/recon units called Fire Teams to protect the area.

This is the story of "Pond Patrol Third Force Recon Team" the 4th group designated by the US Government to the Mulberry Ridge Pond. This is the first team to include an EPA Researcher and a Scientist to study the pond's ecosystem. It is also the first team to have its own marked AH/MH-6 Little Bird helicopter and pilot.



he has developed his own g.i.joe stopmotion film, which will be debuting on sept 20 at the bug theatre at the gi joe fest. a couple of bands will be playing that night to enhance a "festival" feel.

his site is pondpatrol. i salute you gio for following your dream. so many of us are not able to do this for one reason or another. and you are remaining true to your mind's eye.

so i am posting this from youtube as well, with complete tongue in cheek. love you madly..