News of the week
I love my easy week. Today I only have one client session in the afternoon and a half hour meeting and that's it. I know. But I'm sticking around Evanston in order to watch "March of the Penguins," about which I'm very excited.
In other news, I got caught in the major thunderstorm coming home from campus yesterday. I stood there at the gym for twenty minutes waiting it out, but I was wrong about the timing so was thoroughly soaked by the time I got onto the train.
Last night we went to see Vamplifier play at the Double Door. $3 tickets since Todd knows the singer, Scott. I applaud the concept of $3 tickets.
So, that's my week so far: not too exciting but not too shabby at all.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Best thing that I've heard all day...
Dark chocolate may help to lower blood pressure.
I love me some dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate may help to lower blood pressure.
I love me some dark chocolate.
A Stick of Butter
I'm excited that Mei Xiang had a wee baby panda that the Washington Post describes as "the size of a stick of butter." Too much. Check out the Post's Panda Watch.
I didn't find any pictures when I went poking around the Post, but Kevin has a picture on his blog today of a couple of newborn babies and I will submit that freshly born baby pandas may not be the world's cutest things.
But when I google "baby pandas" I came up with a site following Hua Mei, a baby panda born at the San Diego Zoo in 1999. I downloaded some especially adorable pictures for your enjoyment.
I'm excited that Mei Xiang had a wee baby panda that the Washington Post describes as "the size of a stick of butter." Too much. Check out the Post's Panda Watch.
I didn't find any pictures when I went poking around the Post, but Kevin has a picture on his blog today of a couple of newborn babies and I will submit that freshly born baby pandas may not be the world's cutest things.
But when I google "baby pandas" I came up with a site following Hua Mei, a baby panda born at the San Diego Zoo in 1999. I downloaded some especially adorable pictures for your enjoyment.
What's your favorite word?
I have a variety, but I would need to think for a while about my true favorite and why.
(via tmn)
I have a variety, but I would need to think for a while about my true favorite and why.
(via tmn)
Monday, July 18, 2005
Out and out wrong
So as I was reading "Today's Blogs" in Slate today I stumbled across the brou-ha-ha that surrounds the NY Times essay from Sunday titled "The Real Nanny Diaries are Online."
In the article, Helaine Olen describes reading her nanny's online blog, becoming mildly obsessed with it, and ultimately deciding that she was offended by knowing so much about her nanny's personal life and feeling as if the nanny was airing her own family's dirty laundry. I haven't read the nanny's blog in depth so I have no idea if she besmirched Olen's family, and it would be totally shitty if she did, but still...
Olen comes off sounding small and self-centered and not a little jealous in the essay. Did she realize this when she was writing it? Because very few would read it and think that this was a stand-up woman. And how low is it to scream "inappropriate" when your nanny mentions her work in her personal blog with a likely small audience and then describe in detail everything that you think is wrong with her in The New York TIMES for pete's sake. And this whole debacle is mentioned in enough blogs (in Slate, for instance) with links to the nanny's blog that it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who she is if you really wanted to put some elbow grease into the whole thing.
If you read the article then you would know that the nanny had passed along her blog address to Olen, which was a terrible idea. Even if you don't plan on talking badly about your employer, they're still your employer, and--really--do you want your employer to know about your personal life? It's your own. But from what I've read, it appears that the nanny didn't do anything worse than talk about her life as a 25 year old in New York. Which only makes Olen seem more foolish.
The nanny's rebuttal is in her blog here.
So as I was reading "Today's Blogs" in Slate today I stumbled across the brou-ha-ha that surrounds the NY Times essay from Sunday titled "The Real Nanny Diaries are Online."
In the article, Helaine Olen describes reading her nanny's online blog, becoming mildly obsessed with it, and ultimately deciding that she was offended by knowing so much about her nanny's personal life and feeling as if the nanny was airing her own family's dirty laundry. I haven't read the nanny's blog in depth so I have no idea if she besmirched Olen's family, and it would be totally shitty if she did, but still...
Olen comes off sounding small and self-centered and not a little jealous in the essay. Did she realize this when she was writing it? Because very few would read it and think that this was a stand-up woman. And how low is it to scream "inappropriate" when your nanny mentions her work in her personal blog with a likely small audience and then describe in detail everything that you think is wrong with her in The New York TIMES for pete's sake. And this whole debacle is mentioned in enough blogs (in Slate, for instance) with links to the nanny's blog that it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who she is if you really wanted to put some elbow grease into the whole thing.
If you read the article then you would know that the nanny had passed along her blog address to Olen, which was a terrible idea. Even if you don't plan on talking badly about your employer, they're still your employer, and--really--do you want your employer to know about your personal life? It's your own. But from what I've read, it appears that the nanny didn't do anything worse than talk about her life as a 25 year old in New York. Which only makes Olen seem more foolish.
The nanny's rebuttal is in her blog here.
Melting
It's hot outside right now which means that it's extra hot in my apartment. The temperature gauge in our living room is past its highest mark which is 85 degrees. AWESOME.
Actually, what's pretty awesome is that it's supposed to cool down tonight. I think it's supposed to dip just below 70!
I'm having a nice, eaaazzzzy week. Now that one of my classes has ended, I only have one (relatively undemanding) class left along with my clients. And then one of my clients canceled for this entire week so I only have six hours of stuff to do. Well, more since some of the stuff takes preparation and I'll have a couple of meetings as well...but still. And I have tomorrow completely off. I'm thinking of checking out the main library downtown. It's supposed to be pretty sweet.
Yay, pre-vacation!
It's hot outside right now which means that it's extra hot in my apartment. The temperature gauge in our living room is past its highest mark which is 85 degrees. AWESOME.
Actually, what's pretty awesome is that it's supposed to cool down tonight. I think it's supposed to dip just below 70!
I'm having a nice, eaaazzzzy week. Now that one of my classes has ended, I only have one (relatively undemanding) class left along with my clients. And then one of my clients canceled for this entire week so I only have six hours of stuff to do. Well, more since some of the stuff takes preparation and I'll have a couple of meetings as well...but still. And I have tomorrow completely off. I'm thinking of checking out the main library downtown. It's supposed to be pretty sweet.
Yay, pre-vacation!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Intonation
We just got back from Pitchfork Media's Intonation Music Festival held in Union Park here in Chicago yesterday and today. We only went today mainly because a couple of Todd's favorites were playing: the Wrens and Les Savy Fav. I like what I've heard of the Wrens myself, so I was pretty excited. The festival started at noon today, but we met Steve and Kiley later in the afternoon and then caught the bus from their place over to the park. I am here to report that it was a rather excellent music festival. Some of the reasons why it was so good include:
We just got back from Pitchfork Media's Intonation Music Festival held in Union Park here in Chicago yesterday and today. We only went today mainly because a couple of Todd's favorites were playing: the Wrens and Les Savy Fav. I like what I've heard of the Wrens myself, so I was pretty excited. The festival started at noon today, but we met Steve and Kiley later in the afternoon and then caught the bus from their place over to the park. I am here to report that it was a rather excellent music festival. Some of the reasons why it was so good include:
- cheap tickets! A day pass cost $15 and if you went both days, it cost $22. That's as if the tickets were almost given away considering how much concerts normally cost.
- the space! Union park is large and spacious so it was easy to spread out and I never felt as if there were too many people. Before we went over to the stages to listen to the bands, we spread out on a blanket...and there was room for it.
- food and drink were reasonable! cups of decent beer were $4 and we got jumbo dogs that were pretty good for $4 too. I'm usually prepared to be shocked and disturbed over price gouging at concerts, but I was impressed with this.
- the planning! they set up two main stages relatively close to one another. So... there was little lost times of bands setting up: when one band finished you just moved over to the next stage where the next band was all ready to play. Instant gratification.
- The porta-potties! They weren't that gross and there weren't bad lines.
- The breeze! Once the sun went down, it was pretty spectacular to be standing there with the constant breeze.
- The DJ tent: there was a DJ spin-off between one DJ and one of the dudes from Yo La Tengo. (Note: Todd wants me to add that the dude from Yo La Tengo played "Mexican Radio," a song that I had never heard before, but apprarently "an awesome song" and needs to be mentioned).
- The bands! I liked the Wrens a lot and I was hands-down blown away by Les Savy Fav. The main dude was such a showman and owned the crowd. We were pretty close to the stage for them as well, so all the better.
- The times! We're back before 9 pm on a Sunday night.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
An interesting article in the Post about a DC graffiti artist who goes by Borf. He's 18 and pretty ambitious with his graffiti. I'm totally impressed. I haven't seen any of the Borf work, though. Have other DC people?
He also went to Erik's high school, apparently.
He also went to Erik's high school, apparently.
I wish that I had something interesting to report, but there ain't nothing going on except work.
Oh, except that yesterday I stumbled across "Celebrity Fit Club 2" on VH1, and I can't help but be intrigued by the parade of C-list celebrities on it. No overweight A or B list celebrity is going to agree to be on a show about how fat they are. Everyone has to climb on giant scales: it surpasses demeaning for sure.
But, I was watching for maybe ten minutes and during that time some of the people I saw on the show were: Gary Busey, Jackee, Willy Ames, that Snapple lady (again!), a reject from "America's Next Top Model 3," and the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. I repeat: the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. He seems like a nice enough guy, but VH1 must be scraping the bottom of the barrel here. But Gary Busey is always hilariously weird to watch. And mix him with Jackee and it's like you've entered an alternate universe.
Oh, except that yesterday I stumbled across "Celebrity Fit Club 2" on VH1, and I can't help but be intrigued by the parade of C-list celebrities on it. No overweight A or B list celebrity is going to agree to be on a show about how fat they are. Everyone has to climb on giant scales: it surpasses demeaning for sure.
But, I was watching for maybe ten minutes and during that time some of the people I saw on the show were: Gary Busey, Jackee, Willy Ames, that Snapple lady (again!), a reject from "America's Next Top Model 3," and the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. I repeat: the dad of that dude Bam from the Mtv show. He seems like a nice enough guy, but VH1 must be scraping the bottom of the barrel here. But Gary Busey is always hilariously weird to watch. And mix him with Jackee and it's like you've entered an alternate universe.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Yay...
...For one of the last busy weeks of the quarter. Everything will wind up with the presentation that we're giving in Advanced Articulation this week. We're the last group to go...in a 4-6 class on a Friday in the last session of that particular class ever. We don't think that anyone will be there besides the other group presenting.
What else? I talked to Robin this past weekend and he told me about how he and his roommate have started going to matinee movies and then movie-jumping afterward. He said that noone ever suspects them of it because they're 30. He makes me proud.
...For one of the last busy weeks of the quarter. Everything will wind up with the presentation that we're giving in Advanced Articulation this week. We're the last group to go...in a 4-6 class on a Friday in the last session of that particular class ever. We don't think that anyone will be there besides the other group presenting.
What else? I talked to Robin this past weekend and he told me about how he and his roommate have started going to matinee movies and then movie-jumping afterward. He said that noone ever suspects them of it because they're 30. He makes me proud.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Getting back into it
It always takes a little bit of an adjustment to shift from weekend mode to week mode. Woo: happy Monday!
First of all, major good wishes to Anne who starts her new job today. Yay!
It was a music-heavy weekend. We went to see some of Todd's friends play on Thursday at the Bottom Lounge, his roommate's band perform on Saturday at the Beat Kitchen, and then finally last night went to a fundraiser concert at Subterranean. Shellac and a few other bands played to raise money for the son of a local musician who recently contracted serious neurological issues. It was a cool experience since tons of people came out and the dad was clearly moved and it was just nice overall. The concert started late, though, and since four bands played, we didn't get back home till like 1:30. The entire night I felt like I was playing hooky, since usually on Sunday nights I'm preparing for the week ahead. I have it pretty good, though, since I don't have stuff to do till the afternoon today.
It always takes a little bit of an adjustment to shift from weekend mode to week mode. Woo: happy Monday!
First of all, major good wishes to Anne who starts her new job today. Yay!
It was a music-heavy weekend. We went to see some of Todd's friends play on Thursday at the Bottom Lounge, his roommate's band perform on Saturday at the Beat Kitchen, and then finally last night went to a fundraiser concert at Subterranean. Shellac and a few other bands played to raise money for the son of a local musician who recently contracted serious neurological issues. It was a cool experience since tons of people came out and the dad was clearly moved and it was just nice overall. The concert started late, though, and since four bands played, we didn't get back home till like 1:30. The entire night I felt like I was playing hooky, since usually on Sunday nights I'm preparing for the week ahead. I have it pretty good, though, since I don't have stuff to do till the afternoon today.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Checking in
I feel inclined to check in even though I don't have much to say. My parents called last night to check if everything was okay since they hadn't seen a blog post in a while, so I'm assuring all friends and loved ones that I'm alive and well. Even though summer quarter is much more laid back than others, this week and next week will probably be the busiest. My half-quarter class is ending and that means a big group presentation, which is always the bane of one's existence and a yoooge time suck. Last Friday, we met to do some Internet scanning for articles, spent two hours doing so, and came up with nada. So frustrating.
I spent all day zooming around IL suburbs. First to daycare which is in parts of Evanston that I had never seen before (read, not particularly close to school) and then trekked over to catch a ride with Mirhiyah so we could go to the SW suburbs to do some observations for class. We left at 12:45 and didn't get back to Evanston till 6. Then I had to take the train home. Looong afternoon for observations. It was cool to get to watch them, though, and made me feel even better about choosing this field.
In other news, I have to confess that I have a new love. His name is Scratchy, and he's a mammoth lovebug of a cat. His owner was Katja's boyfriend and we came across him when we attending a fourth of July bbq at his place. Scratchy was enormous. And hairy. And a total affection sponge. He had me at hello. Later that night Todd and I discussed my newfound love, and he suggested that I put together a website for him. The website would be incredibly awesome because I am probably not going to be seeing Scratchy again soon (if ever), so I would have to do "artist renditions" of him for lack of photos, and with every entry I would have to cite the number of days it was since I had first made his acquaintance.
Okay, time to do some dishes.
I feel inclined to check in even though I don't have much to say. My parents called last night to check if everything was okay since they hadn't seen a blog post in a while, so I'm assuring all friends and loved ones that I'm alive and well. Even though summer quarter is much more laid back than others, this week and next week will probably be the busiest. My half-quarter class is ending and that means a big group presentation, which is always the bane of one's existence and a yoooge time suck. Last Friday, we met to do some Internet scanning for articles, spent two hours doing so, and came up with nada. So frustrating.
I spent all day zooming around IL suburbs. First to daycare which is in parts of Evanston that I had never seen before (read, not particularly close to school) and then trekked over to catch a ride with Mirhiyah so we could go to the SW suburbs to do some observations for class. We left at 12:45 and didn't get back to Evanston till 6. Then I had to take the train home. Looong afternoon for observations. It was cool to get to watch them, though, and made me feel even better about choosing this field.
In other news, I have to confess that I have a new love. His name is Scratchy, and he's a mammoth lovebug of a cat. His owner was Katja's boyfriend and we came across him when we attending a fourth of July bbq at his place. Scratchy was enormous. And hairy. And a total affection sponge. He had me at hello. Later that night Todd and I discussed my newfound love, and he suggested that I put together a website for him. The website would be incredibly awesome because I am probably not going to be seeing Scratchy again soon (if ever), so I would have to do "artist renditions" of him for lack of photos, and with every entry I would have to cite the number of days it was since I had first made his acquaintance.
Okay, time to do some dishes.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Happy Belated Birthday America!
It was a nice relaxing holiday weekend dominated with barbecues, potlucks, and gorgeous weather. How did the weekend pass so quickly?
It should be noted that we spent July 4th in Todd's neighborhood where there was a constant stream of fireworks displays from morning into the late night (okay, let's be honest...they started yesterday). Nine o' clock was the pinnacle of it all, with fireworks exploding everywhere. These weren't little fireworks like sparklers or tiny things like that: these were all out-see-them-miles-away-high-in-the-sky fireworks. The kind you might see at the end of a minor league baseball game. It was actually really impressive.
You would never have guessed that fireworks are illegal in Illinois.
It was a nice relaxing holiday weekend dominated with barbecues, potlucks, and gorgeous weather. How did the weekend pass so quickly?
It should be noted that we spent July 4th in Todd's neighborhood where there was a constant stream of fireworks displays from morning into the late night (okay, let's be honest...they started yesterday). Nine o' clock was the pinnacle of it all, with fireworks exploding everywhere. These weren't little fireworks like sparklers or tiny things like that: these were all out-see-them-miles-away-high-in-the-sky fireworks. The kind you might see at the end of a minor league baseball game. It was actually really impressive.
You would never have guessed that fireworks are illegal in Illinois.
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