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Nothing
bad happened, just thought we'd skip past it. Did some more work on getting
that applescript together, more fine tuning. It's working well, at least
on the one test page I've been using. Work was good again, and I felt
I was slowly getting a handle on things.
But
work was hardly the most fun part of my day. Let's move on.
I
did try to take one sort-of patriotic picture, but it didn't turn out
how I expected. I noticed that the Merchandise Mart had its flags at half-mast.
But in the distance, I noticed a flag high atop a skyscraper also at half
mast. I tried to crouch down to get all three into the frame, but half-succeeded
in getting the image I had in my mind.
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So
this is how much of a jackhole I am. It's been close to (if not more than)
5 months since Chelsea and I went our separate ways. In that time, I hadn't
talked to or seen Matt, or Tracy, or Malachi. Tonight, I hung out with
them for the first time in almost half a year.
Jesus.
How jerky am I?
I
showed up, and we all fell to talking like no time had passed. Definitely
a good night. :) Tracy had made some killer lasagna, along with some garlic
bread. Malachi is now walking! Last time I saw him, he was still
rolling around in his crib. He's chatting away, making facial gestures
and swinging his arms all around.
I
guess I need to say that, with the exception of The_Spectre,
Matt and Tracy know the Simpsons like the back of their hand. I forget
about it, at times. But I can throw out the most obscure reference, and
they both laugh and friggin' GET IT. It's sorta scary when we all
get together - it's like a whole different language.
We
caught up on a lot of recent events, talked about Malachi and smoking
and being parents and Chicago and art and the whole creative process.
It was incredibly good to see both of them again, and I can't believe
I hid myself away for as long as I did. More than that, I can't believe
how easily and quickly Matt and Tracy welcomed me back without a moment's
hesitation.
We
spent the rest of the night hanging in the living room with Malachi, and
watching him "show off." He was incredibly vocal, and just a
small bundle of energy moving quickly from toy to toy. He also seemed
to be really comfortable with me, which made me feel fantastic. Something
about getting approval from a young child makes me feel good - that this
tiny, innocent being has decided that I am someone worth of his attention
and time... that's just plain flattering as hell.
And
apparently, Malachi really, really likes the weather. He's able to turn
on the television by himself, and he's fascinated by meteorologists and
weather reports. When the map of the US came on, he started moving his
hands around, his arms swinging up and down. We thought that perhaps it
was because meteorologists tend to exaggerate their arm movements, since
they're half-looking at a monitor and trying to demonstrate things that
way. Malachi had us in stitches the whole time.
Man,
it was really fun to hang out with all three of them again. :)
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When
I got home, I got a call from Justin, asking me to check on a domain name.
He and Alex and Stu were at Inner Town Pub, near where he and Stu live.
I check for him, and the domain name is available. Justin hoots and hollers.
I
found out today that Stu had a recent bad turn in his latest relationship...
a pretty bad one. And he was out drinking with the boys. I got the story
from Justin, and was playing it by ear to see whether I'd be able to meet
up with them later in the evening. When Justin calls around 10 PM, I hop
a cab and head on over.
When
I show up, they're all talking about starting a company. A t-shirt company.
But they've made notes, come up with concepts, and are laying things out
in a surprisingly organized manner. So of course, I decide I want in.
Justin has, in this time, gone home and registered the domain. :) We order
drinks and start talking - shortly thereafter, Kristen shows up and we
all start discussing T-shirt concepts and ideas.
Didn't
notice this before, but Kristen is in all of these shots. Primarily because
I was sitting directly across from her, and couldn't back up more to get
a wider range. But still, they're fun images of us:
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| Stu,
Kristen and Alex... thinking their fancy thoughts. |
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| At
one point, Kristen noticed that we all had three notebooks out of
roughly the same size and shape. She then laughed at how hopelessly
nerdy we were. |
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| Kristen,
puzzled. |
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As
we were listing ideas, we often got into heated arguments - sometimes
trying to argue or defend a particular idea we liked. Here, Kristen
is making a point about one of our ideas...
Hey,
lay off. We were drinking.
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| Stu
and Kristen, contemplating the awe-inspiring idea that I threw out
about my T-shirt design. :P |
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| Our
voting process. Thumbs up = 1; thumbs halfway = 1/2; thumbs down =
0. This worked surprisingly well. |
For
the longest time, I kept thinking that I knew so many smart, creative,
talented people... it just seems to make sense that we would all incorporate
and make something wonderful. The T-shirt idea is a strong one, and while
it may not change the world... I actually think it's something we might
see through. Beyond this shit-talking, oh-what-a-great-idea mode. Alex
is incredibly good at logistics, and planning, and setting up the foundation
of what could be a larger project/business. This will definitely be interesting,
to see where it leads.
While
we were at the bar, a woman (who I only know as "The Muffin Lady")
came by. She hits a lot of the bars in the area, and most people recognize
her on sight. She stops at each table, asking if anyone wants to buy her
muffins. And, in case you're wondering, they're "special" muffins.
$5 each.
I
had seen her before a few times, but never was in the right place to ask
for one, or never felt like one. Well, tonight... I got one. Figure I'll
have it this weekend sometime, most likely Saturday. Of course, I'll document
the process. Check back this weekend. :)
After
my purchase, Stu told me that her muffins were good, but nowhere near
worth $5. Hopefully, I can convince him to show me some of his recipes.
Now,
keep in mind that I only say this once or twice a year. Here's
my muffin, everybody:
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