July 2007 Archives

July 31, 2007

I have this weird thing about songs I like. If I find one that I'm really into... I'll listen to it. Obsessively. And for some reason, I've got a higher threshold than most, when it comes to repetitive tracks. I can easily listen to something a hundred times in... (read more)

Gimme Friction, Baby

July 30, 2007

Winner of the Third Annual Casual Gameplay competition, Gimme Friction Baby is deceptively simple and a whole lot of fun. There's tons more game goodness from Jay Is Games.... (read more)

Down to Frankfort, Up the Ladder

July 29, 2007

Went down to visit Liz's folks in Frankfort, and spent most of the evening there. Bob is working on the front porch, and I followed him around as he worked, watching him in his shop and up on the scaffolding. I'm typically not one for heights, but I shimmied... (read more)

BYOP Poetry Reading

July 28, 2007

Outside the Peter Jones Gallery, prior to the reading. In my rush to get here, I forgot some books I meant to bring along. Liz zipped home on her scooter while I hung out on the sidewalk curb, going over my poems. Milling about inside, before things get started.... (read more)

Paper Source Warehouse Sale, Revisited

Waiting in the stairwell for the doors to open, Liz and I joined a bunch of others hoping to get in early at the Paper Source Warehouse Sale. We got here earlier than last year (around 8:30AM vs. 8:45AM), and were originally dismayed to find ourselves only steps inside... (read more)

Paper Source Warehouse Sale Tomorrow!

July 27, 2007

For those of you in Chicago, just a reminder that tomorrow (Saturday, July 27th) is the Semi-Annual Paper Source Warehouse sale. Tons of cards, paper, and bookbinding supplies at crazy-reduced prices. Most of the items on sale are up to 70% off, and are considered "imperfect" in some way.... (read more)

Bring Your Own People: Poetry Reading

July 26, 2007

I'm excited to announce that I'm going to be part of a poetry reading next Saturday, July 28th. The event is sponsored by the Guild Complex, and is entitled Bring Your Own People. Basically, the concept is that two different curators were tasked with coming up with the program,... (read more)

These Shoes Were Made for Running

July 25, 2007

Bought a pair of running shoes the other day, and went out for a run spring jog I went outside with Liz. We took it super easy, on my account, as I'm not a runner at all. My favorite line about running is from Real Genius, where when Val... (read more)

Barry B*nds

July 24, 2007

Mike came up with this really excellent idea for a t-shirt. With the help of Chris and Jane, they came up with a slick logo. A few clicks at Cafe Press and a domain name later... he's in business. I'm not terribly big on sports, so I had to... (read more)

Goodbye, Gracie

I found out that Abbey had to put her dog Gracie to sleep yesterday. Sad news to hear. I met Gracie only briefly, and hung out with her a good deal when I went visited Abbey in Carbondale for a party she was throwing. My memories were of how... (read more)

The Hello Experiment

July 23, 2007

For those of you familiar with Lionel Ritchie's video... The Hello Experiment is just stellar. The only drawback is that you might end up getting this song stuck in your head for a few hours. // Edit Hm. Their site seems to be down at the moment. Wonder if... (read more)

Dinner at Genie's

July 22, 2007

Went over to Genie's place tonight, and got treated with a great meal. I had dinner with Genie, Gretchen and Nicole - and it was a sort of Literago party. Lots of fun discussions all around, and I got to eat cannolis for the first time ever. Small world... (read more)

Lisa and James Get Married

July 21, 2007

Lots more pics and videos, coming soon.... (read more)

A Rose By Any Other Slap

July 20, 2007

Like many things from Japan, I'm clueless as to what exactly is going on... but it's freaking brilliant. Rose & Camellia is a game where you're slapping other women, and dodging their blows. For some reason. The visuals are fantastic, and the audio just puts it over the top.... (read more)

Art (Scavenger) Hunt 2007

Art Hunt 2007 is an outdoor photographic scavenger hunt, taking art beyond the traditional gallery walls. Show up with friends, and you'll receive a camera, along with a list of clues. The first group to find and document seven art installations with their camera wins the hunt. Regardless of... (read more)

171 Starbucks in a Day

July 19, 2007

Comedian Mark Malkoff figures out there are 171 Starbucks stores in Manhattan... and then figures out how to visit them all in one day. His criteria is that he has to purchase one item (and consume part of it) in each location. To do it all in one day... (read more)

Loaded Like a Freight Train...

What better way to celebrate James' successful arrival across the pond, than with a bottle or two of Night Train? Tonight, Jake, Lisa and James stopped by to hang out at the apartment for a spell. I think Jake had these two bottles tucked away, specifically for this occasion.... (read more)

I Don't Like Your Attitude, Superhawk...

July 17, 2007

Via Chris.... (read more)

Duck Duck Duck Goose

... (read more)

A Modern Totem Pole

July 16, 2007

Woohoo! I'm officially a historic-cultural monument! Well, not me directly... just by proxy. via BoingBoing. For access to the article, try bugmenot. Photo taken from josstyk.... (read more)

Shelving in Style

July 15, 2007

Pimp My Bookcart (via BB).... (read more)

Goodbye, Arkansas

July 14, 2007

Early morning fog in Mountain Home, Arkansas. About 10 hours from now (and a slight 30+ mile detour, thanks to me)... we finally rolled back in to Chicago.... (read more)

Last Day on the Lake

July 13, 2007

After a long day underground, we decided to spend the remaining daylight hours playing on the water. We headed down to the dock for one last hurrah. A local gang was trying to protect their turf, but we ran them off. Here's me, having fun on the waverunner. Careful...... (read more)

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Today, we had a trip to Blanchard Springs Caverns. It was a bit of a late start this morning, so we didn't get on the road until noon or so - and decided to stop in the town square for a bite to eat. Luckily for us, the folks... (read more)

Playing the Player Piano

July 12, 2007

Lisa, inserting a song into the Player Piano. I can't remember which one this was - Hungarian Rhapsody I think, but I forget exactly which one. Lisa joked about how she used to do this all the time as a kid (they've had this home in Arkansas, ever since... (read more)

Canoe Trip: Buffalo National River

Despite the overcast skies, we packed into the famil minivan and drove an hour plus for a canoe trip along the Buffalo National River. We stopped off at Dillard's for our canoe rentals. The setup was quite nice - we parked in a nearby lot, they picked us up... (read more)

A Day on Norfork Lake

July 11, 2007

We rolled in pretty late last night, and pretty much went straight to sleep. Some of James' family (Lisa's fiance) were also in town, so Liz, Jake and I all slept out on the enclosed patio. When I opened my eyes in the morning, this is what I saw out... (read more)

Arkansas, Ho!

July 10, 2007

Liz swung by around noon to pick me up from work. From there, it's just a short 9+ hours until Arkansas, where we'd be staying with Lisa's family for a few days on vacation. Jake, in back with Tus, who always wants to ride up front. Along the way...... (read more)

Chop Chop Chop

July 9, 2007

It's been getting waaaay too long, so I went in for a haircut today. All told, I snipped off 11 inches. Before and after shots. Can't believe it's already been 2 years since my last haircut. It feels like I lost 10 pounds, and I'm no longer sweating from... (read more)

New Meeting Table

Now that we're in a new office with a new sign, it's time we got a new meeting table as well. This guy just got installed today, and it's crazy slick. I know those metal rectangles are for cords and outlets, but secretly... I'm hoping it's some kind of... (read more)

Wicker Park Farmers Market

July 8, 2007

... (read more)

Serenity: Mal and the Operative

July 7, 2007

Today, Liz and I watched Joss Whedon's Serenity (the movie based on the short-lived but much-loved TV show Firefly). I recently watched the entire first (and only) season. Actually, I watched it all, twice. Watching the movie was a nice way to see all the characters again, despite the fact... (read more)

Shimajiro, Let's Go For It Together!

July 6, 2007

Linda sent along this gem of a potty-training video. One of these days, I'll eventually become a Pants man. One of these days.... (read more)

A Quick Detour to Sleepytown

July 5, 2007

Back home in Chicago. Note to self: install some kind of security lock on the digital camera.... (read more)

Shane's Fireworks Display

July 4, 2007

Shane, setting up a few Roman Candles. A regular fountain on the driveway, mid-burst. One of the larger boomers - tree on the right. A rocket, mid-flight. One of many fountains on the driveway. Another view of the fountains. Finale fireworks board. L to R it's Shane, Ian, Jason... (read more)

Cookout at Shane and Stacey's

Like the sun, it's impossible to look away from the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest. What makes it better/worse is that Shane and Stacey have a HUGE amazing TV, and it makes all those hot dogs seem like they're only a few feet away. In the garage, Shane... (read more)

Back in Indianapolis

July 3, 2007

Arriving in Indianapolis around 10PM, this was a surprising sight to see: a fifth of Johnny Walker Blue. While there's not a specific age listed, rumor has it that it's aged somewhere around 50-60 years. Shane had a bottle of it, and cracked it open for us to taste.... (read more)

Hopefully, Freud Won't Slip

July 2, 2007

Liz told me about a Columbia College installation that took place last week: a fiberglass replica of Sigmund Freud, dangling off a steel beam, holding on with one arm. It's by Czech artist David Cerny, and is officially titled Man Hanging Out. I wear near the college today (600... (read more)

Happy 5th Birthday, Blog!

July 1, 2007

Well, it sort of snuck up on me - but my blog turned 5 today. It's crazy to think that I've actually been doing... THIS for five years, daily. Ok, ok. I've missed a few days here and there. I know I've got a few gaps. But for the most... (read more)

Chris and Leslie: New Home, New Homeowners

Chris and Leslie moved today, from their apartment over to their brand new condo! They closed just last Friday, and this past month has been a whirlwind of paperwork and packing for the two of them. Today though, was all about moving their stuff into their new place. Leslie,... (read more)