Dry Skin

Jim.

2011-11-20T09:27:08Z

He just died. Still warm. Not struggling anymore. I wasn't supposed to get here till Tuesday. He liked that I always remembered his birthday.

Architecture.

2011-10-16T16:30:55Z

Last weekend, we went to Chicago to see Wild Flag. On the way back to Iowa, we stopped to see The Farnsworth House.

Yesterday, I made

A Means to an End.

2011-07-06T19:18:58Z

I am officially 100% sterilized. Finally. It's taken about a year and it's been painful and stressful... I am hopped up on percocet and busy planning things for our trip to New York City on Saturday.

I figured that I would give up on Livejournal around the time I turned 30, and other than snarking on ONTD, I pretty much have. I am sad about it because I have met some amazing people on here. I'm so bad at making friends. It was easier on the computer.

Yeah, I'm watching Nicolas Cage movie. This was before he totally went off the deep end.

I need to take a nap. I need to pack for the trip. I need to plan dinner. I need to take a nap. I need to get a pedicure. I need to take a nap.

Fertile Myrtle.

2011-03-31T20:57:51Z

Third time's a charm? We'll know in three months.

For now, I'll ride this Percocet/Valium train into the sunset...

Pretend Kids.

2011-02-26T19:56:17Z

It felt weird to uninstall The Sims 2. The Sims 3 people are too blobby for my liking... but the game is so much faster. So... onward and upward.

Here is Beatrix, our eldest daughter.

She looks like Alison Pill.

Now I want to watch Scott Pilgrim.

Player One.

2010-11-13T02:50:13Z

Sometime ago (winter before last I think?), I was approached by Annie with the news that I was being asked to help with a very special project.

The news was that Douglas Coupland had been chosen to do 2010's Massey Lectures in Canada, and he wanted his fans to help. There is a core group of fans who were all on a mailing list (Remember those? I made so many friends on Words + Guitar.) who knew each other, and everyone on that list (called Campers) was asked to help. Annie asked me to help too, since I founded microserfs, which used to be fairly busy and vibrant back before livejournal died.

The project was to go through all of Doug's book and to select quotes/aphorisms that struck one as being "Couplandesque." We were trying to help him find the major themes of his work, which would assist him in finding the story for his lectures. I worked on a chapter of Microserfs (TrekPolitiks, I think), I was on the Eleanor Rigby team, and I tackled "jPod" the teevee show with one other person.

It was fun and exciting to have an awesome project to work on. It was an honor to be asked, and a thrill to help with whatever the eventual result was going to be. Ever since I read Microserfs the summer before 10th grade, Douglas Coupland has been my favorite writer.

Last month, Douglas Coupland gave his lectures, and now they're available online for your listening pleasure. You can get them here through Sunday. They're also on iTunes but I don't use iTunes, so no link.

The lectures ended up being a novel, and check out this acknowledgments page:

I can't even describe how it feels to have my name and the names of several e-buddies on the thank you page of my favorite author's latest book. It was enough when our names were listed on the website for a short while, but this was unexpected and a little breathtaking.

I didn't get to go to the lectures, but several Campers did, and erinaf was RAD enough to get a signed copy for me.

I fucking love the internet.

Nobody ever believes. They just leave.

2010-06-21T09:39:50Z

Travels.

2010-05-12T22:39:23Z

Giving Wacker Drive an upskirt.

Query.

2010-04-13T03:09:59Z

What is the best record store in Chicago?

Always Something There to Remind Me.

2009-12-25T04:55:35Z

I made enchiladas y frijoles for dinner and we watched Stand and Deliver, which is a movie that I love and have not seen in forever. I've been missing my family and that movie was shot at my dad's high school and I just wanted to watch a bunch beaners do math. Also, it was nice for Andy to finally see a movie that I quote quite often. We're watching Cable Guy next. I can't believe that he hasn't seen it yet. Sheesh.

Anyway, here is our tree:

I'm still in love with the turquoise and red color scheme.

Also, I got a new prescription and new glasses. And I cut my bangs:

I'm really glad that I like how I look without makeup. Because makeup is expensive and I would rather sleep that extra ten minutes.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Island Niles.

2009-11-10T03:48:22Z

Halloween.

Tomorrow I am buying tickets to see U2 in Philadelphia next summer. The plan is that Andy and I will also visit New York and Washington on this trip. And Mill Run, Pennsylvania (with a possible jaunt to Pittsburgh, it depends on train schedules).

I am excited because I'll get to see polianarchy and rfd. Also, my vacation won't be at the end of the year.

That being said, timing dictates that I won't be able to go home for Comic-Con next year. Again. I'm ok with that, I guess.

Taking Me Home.

2009-10-21T02:59:16Z

This was after we went to the Dred Shed. Bad times.

It's almost vacation time!

I've made my list of what to pack. I bought a nice new suitcase that will hopefully last more than 1 trip like all the others.

I will be on a plane to Las Vegas Thursday night and I will see U2 (and the Black Eyed Peas?!) Friday evening. Then I'll be home in San Diego on Sunday afternoon. I get to see Amanda on Monday! I will get to see the ocean, I will get to relax, I will get to exhale. I'll miss Andy, but I think solo vacations do us good. He already had his in May.

Hmmm.

2009-10-08T23:50:16Z

My little cellular phone died. I don't have anyone's number anymore. I lost all my pictures and texts.

I don't feel too bad about it.

Meme Time!

2009-10-07T01:01:57Z

I was in the backseat of my friend Danielle's car. We were in Hollywood, having fun, waiting at a red light at the intersection of Hollywood and Orange. That's usually my first stop in the Quest For Parking In Hollywood. I've had lots of fantastic days start at that intersection. Also, since Dani died, I haven't wanted to delete any of my icons that are related to her in any way.

I really love Arrested Development, and the ridiculousness of Gob never fails to make me smile. I had removed this one from the rotation, but two people on my friends list missed it, so I brought him back.

There used to be a show called Stranded with Cash Peters on the Travel Channel. Cash Peters is my absolute favorite public radio contributor. He's often on Marketplace, snarking about something in his adorable Manc accent. On his show, the conceit was that he was abandoned in some faraway place and had to make it for two days on his own with no money. He wrote a book about it called Naked in Dangerous Places, which I recommend to everyone.

This is Wendy Pepper, the laughably harmless "villain" of the first season of Project Runway. She was ridiculous on the show, but this promo photo is so over the top with the makeup. Yeah, a lot of these are about teevee.

There used to be a cartoon on MTV called Clone High. The theme song sums it up... Way way back in the 1980s secret government employees dug up famous guys and ladies and made amusing genetic copies. Now the clones are sexy teens and they're gonna make it if they try... Clone High.
This icon stars Abe Lincoln and Joan of Arc. Joan loves Abe, but he loves Cleopatra. Cleo likes JFK, who likes everyone.

This is Luke Burbank, formerly of NPR and commercial radio, currently helming his own podcast, Too Beautiful To Live. He made a video for his old NPR show involving fake moustaches, which is where I grabbed this image from. I like his NPR persona more than his actual sincere persona... and that cracks me up.

So. My icons are about teevee and public radio.

Jackson Square.

2009-10-01T13:56:15Z

Back home, to the part of the country where autumn has arrived. There are leaves all over the place; raindrops too.

Where?

2009-09-25T01:03:21Z

Flurry of activity in the apartment... getting ready to head down south tomorrow for ateolf and absolution's wedding on Saturday. Then we'll head to Louisiana to visit one of Andy's good friends.

Finally, vacation season is starting. Tomorrow at noon. See you on the road!

Spectacle

2009-09-13T13:26:30Z

It was magnificent, it truly was.

And now I am 29.

Coming Up.

2009-09-11T20:45:21Z

Tonight Andy and I are heading into near-Chicago (Oakbrook Terrace, I think) and then tomorrow we will head into town, have fun, see U2, etc.

Too Beautiful To Live was canceled. I'm pretty upset about it. It will live on as a podcast, but that's a big step down.

Good News.

2009-09-04T14:18:32Z

With all the badness in my gut at the moment, I am glad that I got tickets for actual seats at next week's U2 concert. I can't imagine standing in GA with people rubbing against me. Well, I can imagine it, and it's no fun.

Next week! I wonder who's opening.

A Case of the Fridays

2009-08-22T01:42:16Z

Can you see how utterly thrilled I am that The Last Days of Disco is being given a Criterion Collection release? Better yet, the cover of the DVD has the art from the cover of Whit Stillman's novelization of the movie, The Last Days of Disco with Cocktails at Petrossian Afterwards.

Tuesday can't get here soon enough!

Next weekend: male strippers and roller derby.

Brush with Obscurity.

2009-08-14T02:03:01Z

I listen to a radio show podcast every day at work. It's called Too Beautiful to Live and it's kind of awesome. I've been listening for about a year and a half now, almost since it began. Ira Glass described it as Luke Burbank's attempt at re-inventing talk radio. If I were to describe it, I would say it's a pleasant diversion, it's listening to three reasonably intelligent people talk about pop culture and the minutiae of their lives. It's right up my alley.

Anyway, since it's a different kind of talk show, instead of taking calls and hearing rants about politics, they make calls to listeners and talk about... the minuatiae of their lives. It's very navel-gazey, but I like it.

All this to set up the fact that I was on the show last night! Andy and I were watching Top Chef and my phone rang, and I had a pleasant conversation with Luke, and to a lesser extent, Sean. Sadly for me, Jen was on vacation.

If you want to listen, download this mp3. My call starts at about the 25 minute mark. I would suggest giving the show a try; go ahead and download all of Wednesday night's extravaganza.

If you go to this page, all of the recent shows are there for the taking. The show is 3 hours a night, and the podcast is split into hour-long segments, minus commercials for the most part.

If you listen, this photo will make a little more sense.

Baseball.

2009-08-02T18:12:11Z

Mr. Shucks and I go way back.

A Sort of Homecoming.

2009-07-31T05:12:20Z

Last week, I had to go to Philadelphia on a business trip.

I got there Thursday night, and Poliana showed me around for a bit.

My plane was late getting out of O'Hare (you don't say!), our plane switched terminals, the driver was at the wrong place, there was traffic, the meeting got started late, my taxi was 20 minutes late picking me up... all this led up to me meeting up with Poliana a good two hours after we'd planned, so a couple of the places we had planned on visiting were closed.

After a long day of sitting around, I was ravenous. We went to Ishkabibbles and got a chicken cheesesteak, Dutch Birch Beer, and sweet potato fries. I was full and I was ready to wander. Bad weather earlier in the day scared people off, so South Street wasn't very busy. I was grateful. We got coffee and then got beer, and we talked. It was really great. I can't really describe it, but it was like when you meet someone who you were so obviously meant to have met. The conversation flowed, laughs erupted, and we had a lot in common. Also, there was a cameo by a hot bartender who looked like a stick thin Patrick Wilson and talked a long while about music, specifically the recent 90's revival (The Jesus Lizard! Polvo!). I got back to the hotel at 1.30am on Friday, and I had to be downstairs and ready for a meeting at 7.45a. Worth it!

The meeting was painless, aside from the fact that it was at 9am. When I was done an hour later, I was free for the day... I just had to catch my plane at 7.30pm. Poliana took Friday off and graciously played tour guide. We had breakfast at a tiny crowded diner, and we set off on foot to explore the city.

I'm a history nerd and the city of Philadelphia made me want to re-read all of my Sarah Vowell. And re-watch National Treasure. But I digress.
We didn't go to the real Liberty Bell. There is a long line, a security check, tourists...

Besides, you can kinda see it from the street!

You can also see Independence Hall from the steet.

Poliana took us on a meandering path through town, and showed me this beautiful street:

There were cute decorations in the windows.

And on the windowsills.

Seeing plaques like this on the old houses meant that the house had fire insurance, so the then-private fire company would come and save you. Hmmm.

Old-timey Paperboy obstacle.

Andy and I watch Parking Wars, and I was curious to find out of the PPA really is the racket the show makes it out to be. It is. Also, look at how tiny the street is!

We ended up in a graveyard with very old gravestones that were very eroded. The visible layers in the stone were beautiful. All that time, all that weather.

There isn't very much graffiti in Cedar Rapids, let me tell you.

Hanging out with Thomas Jefferson.

Sure these photos may be awesome, but it was hot on Friday. It was very warm. We had been walking around for hours and miles, and it was still about 4 hours till it was time for my plane to leave. So we slowly trudged toward the Reading Terminal Market for air conditioning and refreshment. Also, it was right next to the train to the airport. Air conditioning and a roof, that was what we needed.

I got to meet Philbert.

We sat for a long time just catching our breath. I was pretty sore from walking all over town in a pair of arch support-free Converse. Also I was tired and hungry and very close to becoming evil and grumpy.
So I explored and got a chorizo and goat cheese empanada. I thought about the cheeseteak burrito:

But I ultimately decided against it, with a plane ride in the very near future.

Eventually it was time to part ways with Poliana, and I was sad, but also quite thrilled to have met her. I see a return trip to Philadelphia in my future. I'd really like to see Valley Forge. Andy has in mind a whole east coast tour, NYC and DC included. I am looking forward to planning it.

I liked that the Philly Airport had free pads and tampons. This is all too rare.

I ended up having this view for a long time. A thunderstorm delayed us long enough to miss the connector back to Cedar Rapids. So I got to spend yet another night at the O'Hare Hilton.

I could not have asked for a better guide than Poliana. This was seriously a great trip. I want to go back!

Cobblestones Galore.

2009-07-25T16:53:44Z

I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Philadelphia. It was really great and really exhausting.

More later, I promise. Now it's time to rest.

Remember When the Whole World Loved Him?

2009-06-26T14:40:32Z

RIP, PYT.