The morning routine - waking, walking to the downtown Starbuck's, walking DJ V to work...
Taurus' are very fond of their habits.
I had not yet secured a place for us to stay on the upcoming trip to Chicago, so I booked a lovely little suite in a lovely little hotel - the big selling feature was that it is across the street from Starbuck's. Pathetic, but true.
DJ V had to take a drive out to Paineseville this morning and there was just enough time for me to call shotgun and ride along before I had to head off to work. I'd never been to Painesville, and though we were there but a short time, the town has a lovely little square - it looks like the quinessential Ohio town.
DJ V had a meeting down south and took off, but called me with a cryptic message just as I got to work:
Can we buy a Harley?
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Eating Outdoors, Interrupted By Inconvenient Periods Of Work
So there I was, sitting at home, minding my own business and taking care of said business when my phone rings. It is DJ V. (Surprising, I know.)
Have you been outside yet? It’s beautiful! Why aren’t we eating outside?
Well, I obviously had no good answer for that, so I jumped in the SexyCorolla and drove on up to take DJ V to lunch. In my haste, I left without folding money or change, so that meant it was going to be difficult to park once I got to town. The good thing about being such a frequent visitor by now is that I am good friends with the parking lot guy, and he let me park after I promised to return in five minutes with money borrowed from the folding money-rich DJ V. Yes, he actually trusted me. As did DJ V.
So, off we went to eat outside. I thought that Seattle salad needed to be revisited, and it was still great (once I actually got it, as they tried to pass off some concoction with mandarin oranges on me). And then I was off to work.
DJ V came to see me for dinner, and we walked down to the bookstore and had my new favorite
obsession, the Classic Javanilla Shake (bittersweet chocolate and espresso blended with real ice cream and advertised as the World's Best Coffee Milkshake, which is why I had to try it - they are right) which is from Seattle's Best Coffee (it's not, Starbuck's is) but it made a nice circle of Seattle dining today. We enjoyed our beverages outdoors and had a really good conversation about real things.
DJ V went home to do chores (laundry) and I returned to work.
Let me tell you, nothing beats coming home at 3 in the morning to find someone there waiting for you on the couch, and a beautiful note to boot…
Have you been outside yet? It’s beautiful! Why aren’t we eating outside?
Well, I obviously had no good answer for that, so I jumped in the SexyCorolla and drove on up to take DJ V to lunch. In my haste, I left without folding money or change, so that meant it was going to be difficult to park once I got to town. The good thing about being such a frequent visitor by now is that I am good friends with the parking lot guy, and he let me park after I promised to return in five minutes with money borrowed from the folding money-rich DJ V. Yes, he actually trusted me. As did DJ V.
So, off we went to eat outside. I thought that Seattle salad needed to be revisited, and it was still great (once I actually got it, as they tried to pass off some concoction with mandarin oranges on me). And then I was off to work.
DJ V came to see me for dinner, and we walked down to the bookstore and had my new favorite
obsession, the Classic Javanilla Shake (bittersweet chocolate and espresso blended with real ice cream and advertised as the World's Best Coffee Milkshake, which is why I had to try it - they are right) which is from Seattle's Best Coffee (it's not, Starbuck's is) but it made a nice circle of Seattle dining today. We enjoyed our beverages outdoors and had a really good conversation about real things.
DJ V went home to do chores (laundry) and I returned to work.
Let me tell you, nothing beats coming home at 3 in the morning to find someone there waiting for you on the couch, and a beautiful note to boot…
On The Shelf Life Of Sharks
Summertime! Move over, Burmese Pythons - it’s Shark Season!
The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, 1991, the infamous Damien Hirst work of an eighteen foot long tiger shark in formaldehyde, was commissioned by the British collector Charles Saatchi from Mr. Hirst for £50,000 (now about $91,000) and was subsequently sold to Steve Cohen in 2004 for a reported $11.85 million. That is some return on investment.
Now, fourteen years later, the shark's skin is showing signs of wear and tear and Hirst is in negotiations to replace it. The shark has changed shape, and the solution surrounding it has become murky - as are the ethics.
Larry Gagosian, the gallery owner who brokered the 2004 deal, said:
The shark is a conceptual piece and to substitute a shark of equal size and appearance, in my opinion does not alter the piece.
If it is a different shark, shouldn’t the name of the piece be different?
Is ANY fur-lined teacup, THE fur-lined teacup? And, what kind of fur does it have to be?
Can ANY urinal be signed R. Mutt and be the same as the first one?
Can everything be mass-produced and marketed as an original?
So many questions. Give me some answers.
The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, 1991, the infamous Damien Hirst work of an eighteen foot long tiger shark in formaldehyde, was commissioned by the British collector Charles Saatchi from Mr. Hirst for £50,000 (now about $91,000) and was subsequently sold to Steve Cohen in 2004 for a reported $11.85 million. That is some return on investment.
Now, fourteen years later, the shark's skin is showing signs of wear and tear and Hirst is in negotiations to replace it. The shark has changed shape, and the solution surrounding it has become murky - as are the ethics.
Larry Gagosian, the gallery owner who brokered the 2004 deal, said:
The shark is a conceptual piece and to substitute a shark of equal size and appearance, in my opinion does not alter the piece.
If it is a different shark, shouldn’t the name of the piece be different?
Is ANY fur-lined teacup, THE fur-lined teacup? And, what kind of fur does it have to be?
Can ANY urinal be signed R. Mutt and be the same as the first one?
Can everything be mass-produced and marketed as an original?
So many questions. Give me some answers.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
When Your Words Come Back To Haunt You…
Another in my strange series of eerie moments - DJ V is talking to me, and my very own patented thought comes right out of her mouth -
You should at least be making your age. (regarding salaries)
It was like some bizarre reverse ventriloquist thing. Next thing you know, she will be just saying my thoughts.
I feel so bad for her.
You should at least be making your age. (regarding salaries)
It was like some bizarre reverse ventriloquist thing. Next thing you know, she will be just saying my thoughts.
I feel so bad for her.
Our Second Anniversary
Two years ago today MyAdoringPublic and I were promoted at our jobs. This year we invited Beauregard Van Horne to join us, as he was instrumental in aiding and abetting our joint careers. He upped the ante by offering to take US out to celebrate.
And what ensued will go down as one of the very best afternoons of my whole life.
We arrived at Pier W at 11:30 am. BVH was already at the bar, looking suave and handsome in a lovely blue shirt and red tie. He looked, dare I say it, very SENATORIAL.
The Pier has recently been renovated, and it is suspended out over the water beside a gorgeous, craggy cliff. The restaurant has wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing endless views of the lake and downtown Cleveland. It was gorgeous and elegant.
BVH and I feasted on filet mignon ina red wine sauce, braised spinach and hearth-roasted Yukon Gold potaotoes, while MAP chose the scallops, which were served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes sculpted into the form of a swan. To accompany our meal, BVH ordered up two bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
Following this extravagance, we segue to the bar for cocktails - martinis for BVH and Booker’s bourbon for me. MAP was the designated driver and opted for coffee. I have never drank that much in my life, but it sure was good, and we thought we were very, very funny by this time. While we were at the bar, in a great moment of serendipity, NewGuy, one of our co-workers, comes into the restaurant with his daughter - turns out it is his birthday. We swore him to secrecy, in the hopes that tales of his inebriated managers won’t get back to the gang…
We finally dragged ourselves out, byt his time late in the afternoon, and walked out onto the pier itself and drank in the breeze and view, and it was a lovely afternoon to reconnect, reaffirm bonds and to appreciate all of the hours we have spent together.
MAP drove me back to her place to get my car, and I saw a Dunkin’ Donuts, and made her drive thru for a super-sized coffee if I had any hopes of operating a motor vehicle. And since we were there and all, we had to get a couple of sugar donuts. So very wrong after our exquisite meal, yet so very right.
And since I was in the neighborhood and all, I stopped by DJ V’s office to say “Hi” and to frighten her that I was actually out driving in this condition.
After work, DJ V came down (I had sobered up by then) and we ordered up a pizza and attempted to watch a movie. I quickly lost interest in the movie, and then a well-timed thunderstorm added a lovely ambiance...
And what ensued will go down as one of the very best afternoons of my whole life.
We arrived at Pier W at 11:30 am. BVH was already at the bar, looking suave and handsome in a lovely blue shirt and red tie. He looked, dare I say it, very SENATORIAL.
The Pier has recently been renovated, and it is suspended out over the water beside a gorgeous, craggy cliff. The restaurant has wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing endless views of the lake and downtown Cleveland. It was gorgeous and elegant.
BVH and I feasted on filet mignon ina red wine sauce, braised spinach and hearth-roasted Yukon Gold potaotoes, while MAP chose the scallops, which were served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes sculpted into the form of a swan. To accompany our meal, BVH ordered up two bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
Following this extravagance, we segue to the bar for cocktails - martinis for BVH and Booker’s bourbon for me. MAP was the designated driver and opted for coffee. I have never drank that much in my life, but it sure was good, and we thought we were very, very funny by this time. While we were at the bar, in a great moment of serendipity, NewGuy, one of our co-workers, comes into the restaurant with his daughter - turns out it is his birthday. We swore him to secrecy, in the hopes that tales of his inebriated managers won’t get back to the gang…
We finally dragged ourselves out, byt his time late in the afternoon, and walked out onto the pier itself and drank in the breeze and view, and it was a lovely afternoon to reconnect, reaffirm bonds and to appreciate all of the hours we have spent together.
MAP drove me back to her place to get my car, and I saw a Dunkin’ Donuts, and made her drive thru for a super-sized coffee if I had any hopes of operating a motor vehicle. And since we were there and all, we had to get a couple of sugar donuts. So very wrong after our exquisite meal, yet so very right.
And since I was in the neighborhood and all, I stopped by DJ V’s office to say “Hi” and to frighten her that I was actually out driving in this condition.
After work, DJ V came down (I had sobered up by then) and we ordered up a pizza and attempted to watch a movie. I quickly lost interest in the movie, and then a well-timed thunderstorm added a lovely ambiance...
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
My Saturday in the City
I woke up, so happy it was my Saturday morning - and got to walk to Starbuck’s, one of my very favorite ways to start to the day. Living within walking distance of Starbuck’s is definitely a priority for me. Good thing that they are ubiquitous.
Anyway, I brought DJ V a caramel macchiato as a souvenir of my adventure, and walked her to work. For lunch, we walked up to the House of Blues and met Hollywood Stafford for lunch! It had been a very long time since ol’ Hollywood and I got together, and it was great to visit with him, as well as introducing him to DJ V. To ensure future visits, I brought a couple of CD’s with me to loan to him - clever, huh? Speaking of music, I was bragging to Hollywood about DJ V’s amazing ability to hook me up with any ridiculous, obscure tune I could think of (except Cher’s Do You Believe In Magic from 1967 - no luck - YET), and that she was able to get the long-sought Melissa Etheridge / Joss Stone Piece of My Heart from the 2005 Grammy Awards. So Hollywood threw her a challenge, a tune he has been searching for to no avail.
Hollywood spotted HuggyBear walking by - a dude wearing a bright purple zoot suit. I am digging this hanging out downtown thing. Something new and exciting every day…
So we finish our lunch and go back to DJ V’s office, and within ten minutes, she has burned a copy of Hollywood’s tune, and I was downloading iTunes songs all afternoon - including an Alan Paul/Janis Siegel duet, and really working this high-speed internet service, I grabbed a bunch of Studio 360 shows as I got hooked on listening to spoken word performances on the iPod.
I took DJ V out to Coventry after work, and we went to the new and improved Big Fun store and dropped some quid on toys. I added two more action figures to my collection - I now own Houdini (complete with chair, straitjacket and shackles), who sits on the bookcase amidst my magic texts, and Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar is all goth black and white, with a removable raven that sits on his shoulder. So I have been thinking that I could never take Oscar Wilde with his weapon (wit), nor Houdini (magic), but I just may be able to hold my own with Edgar. His special weapon is: Morbid Rumination. How much do I love THAT?
Edgar now stands guard on the bookshelf in front of Matthew Pearl’s Poe Shadow. Oscar is still on my desk, challenging me every day to match his wit…
I had heard from ScubaSteve that City Buddha had opened up on Coventry and I really wanted to see what it was all about. DJ V pointed out that she had seen it down the street, so off we went. It is a wonderful place, playing great tunes and filled with wonderful art. I picked up a vintage Japanese poster for BC's birthday. They also had a giant bed/couch/party pit thing that we decided would make a great piece of furniture for the living room for TV viewing.
It was nearly impossible to refrain from saying ThatWhichShallNotBeSaid while we were shopping. Strangely overpowering forces at foot...as a review of the store says:
You get the eerie feeling at City Buddha that the thing you've found has been looking for you, too.
Indeed.
When we left, it looked like the sky was going to start crying for sure, which threw a wrench into my plans to take DJ V to Little Italy for dinner. As well as meaning our meal would most certainly be taken indoors. We decided to run into the Winking Lizard. Turns out it is Wing Night, and that made DJ V very happy. Turns out they also have Hoegaarden on tap, and that made me very happy.
As we were heading home, it occurred to me that we were very near the oldest extant street in Cleveland, Hessler Court, and so I took a wee detour unbeknownst to DJ V. As I turned onto the street, and stopped, I told her to roll down the window and to look at the pavement. She was actually impressed at the wooden blocks, proving that there is a little geeky nerd in everyone.
Anyway, I brought DJ V a caramel macchiato as a souvenir of my adventure, and walked her to work. For lunch, we walked up to the House of Blues and met Hollywood Stafford for lunch! It had been a very long time since ol’ Hollywood and I got together, and it was great to visit with him, as well as introducing him to DJ V. To ensure future visits, I brought a couple of CD’s with me to loan to him - clever, huh? Speaking of music, I was bragging to Hollywood about DJ V’s amazing ability to hook me up with any ridiculous, obscure tune I could think of (except Cher’s Do You Believe In Magic from 1967 - no luck - YET), and that she was able to get the long-sought Melissa Etheridge / Joss Stone Piece of My Heart from the 2005 Grammy Awards. So Hollywood threw her a challenge, a tune he has been searching for to no avail.
Hollywood spotted HuggyBear walking by - a dude wearing a bright purple zoot suit. I am digging this hanging out downtown thing. Something new and exciting every day…
So we finish our lunch and go back to DJ V’s office, and within ten minutes, she has burned a copy of Hollywood’s tune, and I was downloading iTunes songs all afternoon - including an Alan Paul/Janis Siegel duet, and really working this high-speed internet service, I grabbed a bunch of Studio 360 shows as I got hooked on listening to spoken word performances on the iPod.
I took DJ V out to Coventry after work, and we went to the new and improved Big Fun store and dropped some quid on toys. I added two more action figures to my collection - I now own Houdini (complete with chair, straitjacket and shackles), who sits on the bookcase amidst my magic texts, and Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar is all goth black and white, with a removable raven that sits on his shoulder. So I have been thinking that I could never take Oscar Wilde with his weapon (wit), nor Houdini (magic), but I just may be able to hold my own with Edgar. His special weapon is: Morbid Rumination. How much do I love THAT?
Edgar now stands guard on the bookshelf in front of Matthew Pearl’s Poe Shadow. Oscar is still on my desk, challenging me every day to match his wit…
I had heard from ScubaSteve that City Buddha had opened up on Coventry and I really wanted to see what it was all about. DJ V pointed out that she had seen it down the street, so off we went. It is a wonderful place, playing great tunes and filled with wonderful art. I picked up a vintage Japanese poster for BC's birthday. They also had a giant bed/couch/party pit thing that we decided would make a great piece of furniture for the living room for TV viewing.
It was nearly impossible to refrain from saying ThatWhichShallNotBeSaid while we were shopping. Strangely overpowering forces at foot...as a review of the store says:
You get the eerie feeling at City Buddha that the thing you've found has been looking for you, too.
Indeed.
When we left, it looked like the sky was going to start crying for sure, which threw a wrench into my plans to take DJ V to Little Italy for dinner. As well as meaning our meal would most certainly be taken indoors. We decided to run into the Winking Lizard. Turns out it is Wing Night, and that made DJ V very happy. Turns out they also have Hoegaarden on tap, and that made me very happy.
As we were heading home, it occurred to me that we were very near the oldest extant street in Cleveland, Hessler Court, and so I took a wee detour unbeknownst to DJ V. As I turned onto the street, and stopped, I told her to roll down the window and to look at the pavement. She was actually impressed at the wooden blocks, proving that there is a little geeky nerd in everyone.
It’s A Snake Of A Different Color!
There’s only one of them and he’s it. Or maybe not
Researchers scouring swamps in the heart of Borneo have discovered a venomous species of snake that can change its skin color, much the same way that a chameleon can.
Scientists have seen this ability rarely with snakes and “have not yet understood” this phenomenon.
I put the reddish-brown snake in a dark bucket, said Mark Auliya, a reptile expert. When I retrieved it a few minutes later, it was almost entirely white. The discovery of the chameleon snake exposes one of nature's best-kept secrets. Its ability to change color has kept it hidden from science until now.
Not to mention that it might also be a master of disguise and misdirection.
But if this snake (the Kapuas Mud Snake or Enhydris gyii) is so clever, how can turning white while in a dark bucket HIDE it?
That seems like pretty inept camouflage to me…
Researchers scouring swamps in the heart of Borneo have discovered a venomous species of snake that can change its skin color, much the same way that a chameleon can.
Scientists have seen this ability rarely with snakes and “have not yet understood” this phenomenon.
I put the reddish-brown snake in a dark bucket, said Mark Auliya, a reptile expert. When I retrieved it a few minutes later, it was almost entirely white. The discovery of the chameleon snake exposes one of nature's best-kept secrets. Its ability to change color has kept it hidden from science until now.
Not to mention that it might also be a master of disguise and misdirection.
But if this snake (the Kapuas Mud Snake or Enhydris gyii) is so clever, how can turning white while in a dark bucket HIDE it?
That seems like pretty inept camouflage to me…
Monday, June 26, 2006
Is It Hot In Here?
I had to leave for work at some unGodly, ridiculous hour, and Starbuck’s wasn’t even open yet, so I was forced to drive thru the local McDonald’s. While I was waiting, I noticed the license plate of the truck in front of me - the first three letters? DJV. Certainly an auspicious way to start the day.
So, work goes well, until 10 minutes before we are to open the door to the public, and the fire alarm goes off, and MyFriendJason and I evacuate our staff. Construction was under way across the road, and I had decided that the reason for the alarm was that they had cut the alarm line or something. I walked around our building and saw no signs of smoke or flames, and nothing untoward going on at our neighbors. So, I decided to throw caution to the wind and to go back into the building and call the fire department. But just then two giant ladder trucks showed up, laden with many hunky firemen. As MyFriendJason remarked, some stereotypes are, in fact, true.
Turns out that we had some faulty sensor in the ductwork, or so they say. The remainder of my workday was consumed with repairmen and firemen, which, now that I think about it, is the making of a great Penthouse letter…
To celebrate the fact that I was not burned to a crisp, DJ V and I had a real date - dinner and a movie.
We dined at the Park City Diner (penne pasta with broccoli and chicken in a sundried tomato cream sauce for me, and the Knife and Fork Chili Dog - for DJ V) and then we went to see The Lake House.
Here is my review:
Sandra Bullock had a KILLER haircut (and car).
No really, it was a very intriguing movie, one that makes you think and analyze things. Fate and time and timing. Kinda deep. And a great soundtrack (although I have discovered that most of the vocal tracks are not to be found on the soundtrack CD - it is mostly the Rachel Portman score). And though I truly enjoyed the film, it felt that we had been watching this movie for about three days. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, looking at Sandra and all…
By the way, I still LOVE Valley View Cinema - great highback, reclining stadium seats, and the ingenious DJ V realized that the armrest between the seats could be raised out of the way, making it more of a loveseat-type situation.
So, we stay for the credits, both of us wanting to see the musical credits, and in particular, the “theme” song (This Never Happened Before)…and when the performer’s name scrolled up, both of us screamed a little in disbelief that we had kinda LIKED the song, and hadn’t recognized the singer - it was PAUL McCARTNEY. That made us want to claw our eyes out and we had to exit immediately.
We went back to DJ V’s place and decided to go out for drinks. I had no idea that walking through downtown Cleveland fairly late in evening is an opportunity for a wildlife safari. We saw yet another really creepy, big flying bug, AND, a fairly large sized rat that ran right in front of us and into the park. What fun!
So we get to the bar, where DJ V had previously done a reconnaissance mission and acertained that they had Knob Creek. DJ V had a couple of appletinis, and we were entertained with the antics of Will and Joy, a kind of African-American Will and Grace.
We stumbled back to DJ V’s place where I treated her to a massage, because she deserves my Personal Best.
So, work goes well, until 10 minutes before we are to open the door to the public, and the fire alarm goes off, and MyFriendJason and I evacuate our staff. Construction was under way across the road, and I had decided that the reason for the alarm was that they had cut the alarm line or something. I walked around our building and saw no signs of smoke or flames, and nothing untoward going on at our neighbors. So, I decided to throw caution to the wind and to go back into the building and call the fire department. But just then two giant ladder trucks showed up, laden with many hunky firemen. As MyFriendJason remarked, some stereotypes are, in fact, true.
Turns out that we had some faulty sensor in the ductwork, or so they say. The remainder of my workday was consumed with repairmen and firemen, which, now that I think about it, is the making of a great Penthouse letter…
To celebrate the fact that I was not burned to a crisp, DJ V and I had a real date - dinner and a movie.
We dined at the Park City Diner (penne pasta with broccoli and chicken in a sundried tomato cream sauce for me, and the Knife and Fork Chili Dog - for DJ V) and then we went to see The Lake House.
Here is my review:
Sandra Bullock had a KILLER haircut (and car).
No really, it was a very intriguing movie, one that makes you think and analyze things. Fate and time and timing. Kinda deep. And a great soundtrack (although I have discovered that most of the vocal tracks are not to be found on the soundtrack CD - it is mostly the Rachel Portman score). And though I truly enjoyed the film, it felt that we had been watching this movie for about three days. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, looking at Sandra and all…
By the way, I still LOVE Valley View Cinema - great highback, reclining stadium seats, and the ingenious DJ V realized that the armrest between the seats could be raised out of the way, making it more of a loveseat-type situation.
So, we stay for the credits, both of us wanting to see the musical credits, and in particular, the “theme” song (This Never Happened Before)…and when the performer’s name scrolled up, both of us screamed a little in disbelief that we had kinda LIKED the song, and hadn’t recognized the singer - it was PAUL McCARTNEY. That made us want to claw our eyes out and we had to exit immediately.
We went back to DJ V’s place and decided to go out for drinks. I had no idea that walking through downtown Cleveland fairly late in evening is an opportunity for a wildlife safari. We saw yet another really creepy, big flying bug, AND, a fairly large sized rat that ran right in front of us and into the park. What fun!
So we get to the bar, where DJ V had previously done a reconnaissance mission and acertained that they had Knob Creek. DJ V had a couple of appletinis, and we were entertained with the antics of Will and Joy, a kind of African-American Will and Grace.
We stumbled back to DJ V’s place where I treated her to a massage, because she deserves my Personal Best.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Paradigm Shift
DJ V was away for the weekend, and returned in time to meet me for brunch at First Watch, where they have a great oatmeal breakfast. I know, I know. But it is all about the presentation, People. They serve it on a platter, with a small dish of sliced bananas, a dish of brown sugar, a pitcher of cream, a buttered English muffin, and the bowl of hot, wonderful oatmeal.
AND, they leave a carafe of coffee on the table.
I love that place…
After work, DJ V came down to visit, and I made her sit through my film festival (her favorite was my Carnegie Museum dinosaur film), and the torture didn’t stop there - oh, no. I had to show off some of my better photographs. For having been such a good sport, I thought we should take an evening stroll up to Highland Square, where we stopped in at Angel Falls Coffeehouse for refreshments.
On the way there we saw the weirdest big bug on the sidewalk - some sort of cicada-cockroach-ish creepy thing. And we saw a fairly large, pale blue egg on the ground, and DJ V asked me if it was real. Upon investigation, I proclaimed that it probably was a fake, as most real eggs to not come with a golden, braided, looped umbilical cord attached to the top.
I must say, few things in life compare with a summer twilight walk amidst the magical twinkling of fireflies, with your arm around someone you are ridiculously fond of.
Following that came MyOwnPersonalParadigmShift - but I can’t tell you about that, or I’d have to kill you.
And, by the way, fireflies DO smell great. No matter that no one believes me. I know it is true. Really.
AND, they leave a carafe of coffee on the table.
I love that place…
After work, DJ V came down to visit, and I made her sit through my film festival (her favorite was my Carnegie Museum dinosaur film), and the torture didn’t stop there - oh, no. I had to show off some of my better photographs. For having been such a good sport, I thought we should take an evening stroll up to Highland Square, where we stopped in at Angel Falls Coffeehouse for refreshments.
On the way there we saw the weirdest big bug on the sidewalk - some sort of cicada-cockroach-ish creepy thing. And we saw a fairly large, pale blue egg on the ground, and DJ V asked me if it was real. Upon investigation, I proclaimed that it probably was a fake, as most real eggs to not come with a golden, braided, looped umbilical cord attached to the top.
I must say, few things in life compare with a summer twilight walk amidst the magical twinkling of fireflies, with your arm around someone you are ridiculously fond of.
Following that came MyOwnPersonalParadigmShift - but I can’t tell you about that, or I’d have to kill you.
And, by the way, fireflies DO smell great. No matter that no one believes me. I know it is true. Really.
Don’t Mess With Muffy
If it comes outta Florida, you clever FaithfulReaders will immediately realize ithis is a story about BURMESE PYTHONS! Yippee!
At TWENTY TWO and ¼ feet in length (and weighing in at more than 300 pounds), Muffy, has taken the title of Largest Python On Display. Muffy has stolen the title from Lulu, currently residing at the Bronx Zoo. Lulu is a coquettish nienteen feet, 6 inches long.
Captain Bob of Everglades Day Safari bought Muffy two months ago for $3000. He says:
It’s educational for people to see just what can happen to a little pet snake. Anyone who buys a snake that can literally kill you should at least be an adult and know what they’re doing.
Hmm. Yeah. At LEAST be an adult and be aware that you are harboring a potential murderer in your home. Or, that said adult is just setting up an elaborate suicide plot, obviously for the insurance money...
At TWENTY TWO and ¼ feet in length (and weighing in at more than 300 pounds), Muffy, has taken the title of Largest Python On Display. Muffy has stolen the title from Lulu, currently residing at the Bronx Zoo. Lulu is a coquettish nienteen feet, 6 inches long.
Captain Bob of Everglades Day Safari bought Muffy two months ago for $3000. He says:
It’s educational for people to see just what can happen to a little pet snake. Anyone who buys a snake that can literally kill you should at least be an adult and know what they’re doing.
Hmm. Yeah. At LEAST be an adult and be aware that you are harboring a potential murderer in your home. Or, that said adult is just setting up an elaborate suicide plot, obviously for the insurance money...
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The Saturday Habit Revisited
There is something to be said for working Saturday afternoons, when you get the chance to stroll outside with your pal, Beauregard Van Horne, and partake of the fabulous hotdogs from the SmokinHot HotdogGirl.
We have been visited by a run of very pleasant weather, a welcome change from last year, when I was forced to evacuate my apartment for what seemed like the entire summer.
I have also been blessed with Fizzy Brain, as if someone has poured a bottle of peroxide into my cranium. It is an affliction which causes me to be filled with creative energy and consumed with thoughts of projects… if only this could be bottled. Then marketed and sold. Then I’d be rich. But then I’d be a Fizzy Brain addict or something.
There is always a tradeoff…
We have been visited by a run of very pleasant weather, a welcome change from last year, when I was forced to evacuate my apartment for what seemed like the entire summer.
I have also been blessed with Fizzy Brain, as if someone has poured a bottle of peroxide into my cranium. It is an affliction which causes me to be filled with creative energy and consumed with thoughts of projects… if only this could be bottled. Then marketed and sold. Then I’d be rich. But then I’d be a Fizzy Brain addict or something.
There is always a tradeoff…
Friday, June 23, 2006
Hair Club For Very Rich Men
It certainly was a look. And to either follicly challenged men, or to rabid art collectors, it might have been the deal of the century.
Seems one lucky person paid $10,800 (destroying the presale estimates of $4-6000) for their own fifteen minutes of fame by buying Andy Warhol’s silver hairpiece.
Of course, it was well worth the price because the circa 1980s wig came complete with three pieces of used toupee tape.
Seems one lucky person paid $10,800 (destroying the presale estimates of $4-6000) for their own fifteen minutes of fame by buying Andy Warhol’s silver hairpiece.
Of course, it was well worth the price because the circa 1980s wig came complete with three pieces of used toupee tape.
Well, No Wonder
You just never know what is going to happen when you spend the night with someone. Do they snore? Do they talk in their sleep or thrash about or get up a zillion times…ah, the DealBreaker possibilities are endless.
However, I am pleased to report, that DJ V has no observable bad habits, and wakes in a most pleasant mood.
And now I know why…
It seems that today is The Happiest Day Of The Year - at least according to a British researcher, Cliff Arnall.
He used a "simple equation" to reach his conclusion:
O + (N x S) + Cpm/T + He
(For the mathematically challenged, O stands for outdoor activities, N for nature, S for social interaction, Cpm for childhood summers and positive memories, T for temperature and He for holidays and looking forward to time off)
However, I am pleased to report, that DJ V has no observable bad habits, and wakes in a most pleasant mood.
And now I know why…
It seems that today is The Happiest Day Of The Year - at least according to a British researcher, Cliff Arnall.
He used a "simple equation" to reach his conclusion:
O + (N x S) + Cpm/T + He
(For the mathematically challenged, O stands for outdoor activities, N for nature, S for social interaction, Cpm for childhood summers and positive memories, T for temperature and He for holidays and looking forward to time off)
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Offers Made And Accepted
So there I was, driving up to Cleveland to pick up DJ V when my phone rings. It is a number I did not
recognize, but for some reason, I decided to answer it. Turns out, it was my Regional Vice President, calling to offer me a job in Pittsburgh! A short conversation, but an exciting one - albeit tempered with concern regarding my current romantic situation.
Anyway, I fetched DJ V and we drove to Club Isabella. I had eaten there once before, about ten years ago, with ANOTHER DJ - an odd coincidence! This was the first time I had ever ridden with DJ V, and it was a glorious afternoon. The sun was shining, and DJ V was singing and I was smiling. A happy afternoon, indeed.
Even though it was rather humid out, DJ V indulged me and we ate outside, having the patio to ourselves as the other patrons were smarter and preferred air conditioning. I had the garlic tortellini with sausage, mushrooms and peas in aRomanoo cream sauce topped withAsiagoo and DJ V tried Levio's grilled cheese sandwich - a melted melange of Provolone, Cheddar, Swiss, and tomatoes.
When we returned to the parking garage, DJ V finally made good on her promise and rewarded me with a brief serenade of Wedding Bell Blues. It was worth waiting for, although I still want the full-on music video version...
We took the elevator down, and were surprised to see a bird also using the elevator. I tried to encourage him to fly and be free, even resorting to using a CD to scoop him up, but he made some very angry squawking noises, and so I let him be, riding up and down in the elevator all day.
Being a fine friend, DJ V made me an offer to stay at her house this evening, since it was supposed to be so dreadfully hot and humid - simply an offer of modern conveniences and nothing more.
And I fell for it.
recognize, but for some reason, I decided to answer it. Turns out, it was my Regional Vice President, calling to offer me a job in Pittsburgh! A short conversation, but an exciting one - albeit tempered with concern regarding my current romantic situation.
Anyway, I fetched DJ V and we drove to Club Isabella. I had eaten there once before, about ten years ago, with ANOTHER DJ - an odd coincidence! This was the first time I had ever ridden with DJ V, and it was a glorious afternoon. The sun was shining, and DJ V was singing and I was smiling. A happy afternoon, indeed.
Even though it was rather humid out, DJ V indulged me and we ate outside, having the patio to ourselves as the other patrons were smarter and preferred air conditioning. I had the garlic tortellini with sausage, mushrooms and peas in aRomanoo cream sauce topped withAsiagoo and DJ V tried Levio's grilled cheese sandwich - a melted melange of Provolone, Cheddar, Swiss, and tomatoes.
When we returned to the parking garage, DJ V finally made good on her promise and rewarded me with a brief serenade of Wedding Bell Blues. It was worth waiting for, although I still want the full-on music video version...
We took the elevator down, and were surprised to see a bird also using the elevator. I tried to encourage him to fly and be free, even resorting to using a CD to scoop him up, but he made some very angry squawking noises, and so I let him be, riding up and down in the elevator all day.
Being a fine friend, DJ V made me an offer to stay at her house this evening, since it was supposed to be so dreadfully hot and humid - simply an offer of modern conveniences and nothing more.
And I fell for it.
How Many People Does It Take To Get To The Center Of A Quote?
This was the morning post from a blogging friend who wishes to remain in deep anonymity. (Whatever - I know!)
Therefore, I think that gives me license to reprint it here, in its entirety. I cracked up, because while reading the quote, I was thinking the EXACT same retort…
I'm writing to you from the comfort of my home as I have called in "sick." Some people have no problem doing this every week, but I feel like I'm eight years old and seconds away from being caught. I called in because I got up late because I stayed up too late because I knew I had to get up early. Huh? Right. Neurotic, table for one.
And this was on my daily quote thing:
Happy people treat others well. - Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, & John Christensen
I'm sorry, all I can think is - it took three of you motherfuckers to come up with that?
Therefore, I think that gives me license to reprint it here, in its entirety. I cracked up, because while reading the quote, I was thinking the EXACT same retort…
I'm writing to you from the comfort of my home as I have called in "sick." Some people have no problem doing this every week, but I feel like I'm eight years old and seconds away from being caught. I called in because I got up late because I stayed up too late because I knew I had to get up early. Huh? Right. Neurotic, table for one.
And this was on my daily quote thing:
Happy people treat others well. - Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, & John Christensen
I'm sorry, all I can think is - it took three of you motherfuckers to come up with that?
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Laughter In The Rain
Strolling along city roads with my baby, it starts to rain…
an afternoonwalk down to Tower City for lunch in a light Seattle-esque rain, sharing an umbrella…not bad at all.
DJ V lured me down this way with the promise of Starbuck’s, but when we arrived at Tower City, I saw the sign for the Hardrock Café. I had no idea that there was one in Cleveland, and so the lunch plans were made.
The service verges on non-existent, be forewarned. I had a barbequed burger and fries, which was filling and messy. We decided that one waiter was the guitarist from Aerosmith, whose name we were just not able to come up with, but we were pretty sure it was a guy named Joe. As for the waitress, we could totally picture her, outside of work in her full-on Bettie Page get-up. We both could envision her 50’s swingers apartment.
Good times.
I then had to get home, as Zeke NewBuffalo was going to drop by. We drank a lot of coffee, and talked without the pressure of time, for once, and ZNB indulged me by viewing my films. Her favorite was my French Experimental attempt. It was great fun, and I look forward to future visits.
an afternoonwalk down to Tower City for lunch in a light Seattle-esque rain, sharing an umbrella…not bad at all.
DJ V lured me down this way with the promise of Starbuck’s, but when we arrived at Tower City, I saw the sign for the Hardrock Café. I had no idea that there was one in Cleveland, and so the lunch plans were made.
The service verges on non-existent, be forewarned. I had a barbequed burger and fries, which was filling and messy. We decided that one waiter was the guitarist from Aerosmith, whose name we were just not able to come up with, but we were pretty sure it was a guy named Joe. As for the waitress, we could totally picture her, outside of work in her full-on Bettie Page get-up. We both could envision her 50’s swingers apartment.
Good times.
I then had to get home, as Zeke NewBuffalo was going to drop by. We drank a lot of coffee, and talked without the pressure of time, for once, and ZNB indulged me by viewing my films. Her favorite was my French Experimental attempt. It was great fun, and I look forward to future visits.
Signs That This One Is A Keeper
So, we have entered that phase in our relationship where we are trading songs from our respective collections - a level of intimacy that may well be beyond most people's imagination.
It is clear what I am gaining in this affair - air conditioning and high speed internet at DJ V's workplace.
Sadly for her, however, her usual relationship bargain of expanding her clothing and shoe wardrobe is simply never going to happen. Thus, it is unclear what is in this for her...
At any rate, I called up DJ V and asked her if perchance she might have a copy of Soulful Strut. Before I could continue and tell her the artist, she said: Oh, Young Holt Unlimited. Sure!
Things that make you go hmmmmm...
It is clear what I am gaining in this affair - air conditioning and high speed internet at DJ V's workplace.
Sadly for her, however, her usual relationship bargain of expanding her clothing and shoe wardrobe is simply never going to happen. Thus, it is unclear what is in this for her...
At any rate, I called up DJ V and asked her if perchance she might have a copy of Soulful Strut. Before I could continue and tell her the artist, she said: Oh, Young Holt Unlimited. Sure!
Things that make you go hmmmmm...
Burma Shave for New Millennium?
I called DJ V to ask her if she had seen this crazy billboard on the highway as you leave Cleveland.
It says:
Clowns hate tangelos.
She said: Is it orange with white letters?
It was!
She had just passed one that said: I pooted on a different highway!
What is the meaning of this?
Well, I did a little research for you, FaithfulOnes...
It says:
Clowns hate tangelos.
She said: Is it orange with white letters?
It was!
She had just passed one that said: I pooted on a different highway!
What is the meaning of this?
Well, I did a little research for you, FaithfulOnes...
154 Pounds Of Shish-Kebab
The Ankara Zoo misplaced a star attraction - the 20 foot long, 154 pound PYTHON.
(Ah, FaithfulReaders, it has been SO long since we had a good snake tale, huh?)
Obviously, Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker, whose ministry is responsible for the zoo, has not been reading my blog.
In an effort to calm local residents, Eker said:
The python is not poisonous. Moreover, it only eats mice and rabbits.
Or cats. Or Alligators. Etc, etc.
And speaking of eating, what is Mr. Eker’s biggest concern with the missing exhibit?
My biggest concern is the possibility that the python might have become shish-kebab. I advise citizens not to eat shish kebab until the python is found.
Allrighty then. That’s gonna be one LOOOONG skewer…
(Ah, FaithfulReaders, it has been SO long since we had a good snake tale, huh?)
Obviously, Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker, whose ministry is responsible for the zoo, has not been reading my blog.
In an effort to calm local residents, Eker said:
The python is not poisonous. Moreover, it only eats mice and rabbits.
Or cats. Or Alligators. Etc, etc.
And speaking of eating, what is Mr. Eker’s biggest concern with the missing exhibit?
My biggest concern is the possibility that the python might have become shish-kebab. I advise citizens not to eat shish kebab until the python is found.
Allrighty then. That’s gonna be one LOOOONG skewer…
Cher For The Defense
Zeke New Buffalo told me something rather disturbing the other day. She said that she heard Cher was a proponent of our current war. I found that rather difficult to believe.
So, it was with glee that I read this story this morning.
Cher, who opposes the war in Iraq but supports the troops, is using her celebrity to promote effective helmets for U.S. soldiers.
Then she goes on with this foolishly optimistic, almost oxymoronic statement:
It just makes you feel like this is the right thing to do. This is the American thing to do.
As if she were eavesdropping on my conversation, she continues:
It makes me angry when people say that if you're not for the war, you don't support the troops. And I'm not for the war. And I really support the troops.
Cher has donated more than $130,000 to the group Operation Helmet, which pays about $100 to modify the inside of soldiers' helmets to make them better able to absorb shock from a bomb blast.
Yes, I can believe again.
So, it was with glee that I read this story this morning.
Cher, who opposes the war in Iraq but supports the troops, is using her celebrity to promote effective helmets for U.S. soldiers.
Then she goes on with this foolishly optimistic, almost oxymoronic statement:
It just makes you feel like this is the right thing to do. This is the American thing to do.
As if she were eavesdropping on my conversation, she continues:
It makes me angry when people say that if you're not for the war, you don't support the troops. And I'm not for the war. And I really support the troops.
Cher has donated more than $130,000 to the group Operation Helmet, which pays about $100 to modify the inside of soldiers' helmets to make them better able to absorb shock from a bomb blast.
Yes, I can believe again.
If You Gotta Go, Go Now
I was given an assignment to look up lyrics to a song this morning…They go like this:
Skipping beats, blushing cheeks I am struggling
Daydreaming, bed scenes in the corner cafe
And then I’m left in bits recovering tectonic tremblings
You get me every time
Whyd'ya have to be so cute?
It's impossible to ignore you
Must you make me laugh so much
It's bad enough we get along so well
Say goodnight and go
We’d be good, we'd be great together
{ PS...While I am typing this at a cafe, THIS SONG just came on the music system. I SWEAR! }
Skipping beats, blushing cheeks I am struggling
Daydreaming, bed scenes in the corner cafe
And then I’m left in bits recovering tectonic tremblings
You get me every time
Whyd'ya have to be so cute?
It's impossible to ignore you
Must you make me laugh so much
It's bad enough we get along so well
Say goodnight and go
We’d be good, we'd be great together
{ PS...While I am typing this at a cafe, THIS SONG just came on the music system. I SWEAR! }
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Bad Dating Etiquette -or- The Perils Of Caller ID
I spent my DayOff being domestic - a little cleaning, a little goofing off - keeping with my firmly held belief of everything in moderation.
I even went out and got a haircut. And it turned out pretty good -just a little spiky, not too crazy.
DJ V dropped by for dinner. We had a terrific bottle of amarone, then I got to preparing a meal - jasmine rice, stir-fried Asian vegetables with Beijing sauce, and chicken shu mai. It was excellent, if I do say so myself. I like preparing that meal because I can show off my cherished set of Chinese dishes and chopsticks. It is ALL about set dressing, People.
While I was cooking, DJ V examined my music collection, and she is the only person who has discovered the secret of my collecting habits. She's got my number.
So, there we were, enjoying our meal and my phone rings. That in itself is odd, because only about five people have my home number. So, I go and investigate. I look at the Caller ID display. The call is identified as:
PRISON
Damn! I told Rocky never to call me at home! Having your prison pal call you at home while on a date is very bad form, indeed.
I even went out and got a haircut. And it turned out pretty good -just a little spiky, not too crazy.
DJ V dropped by for dinner. We had a terrific bottle of amarone, then I got to preparing a meal - jasmine rice, stir-fried Asian vegetables with Beijing sauce, and chicken shu mai. It was excellent, if I do say so myself. I like preparing that meal because I can show off my cherished set of Chinese dishes and chopsticks. It is ALL about set dressing, People.
While I was cooking, DJ V examined my music collection, and she is the only person who has discovered the secret of my collecting habits. She's got my number.
So, there we were, enjoying our meal and my phone rings. That in itself is odd, because only about five people have my home number. So, I go and investigate. I look at the Caller ID display. The call is identified as:
PRISON
Damn! I told Rocky never to call me at home! Having your prison pal call you at home while on a date is very bad form, indeed.
Following Through
When DJ V and I met for dinner at Sergio's, I was wearing one of my favorite shirts. One of the reasons it is my favorite is that it has French cuffs ( another reason is it is well-tailored and kinda clingy - if you know what I mean).
DJ V was admiring my cufflinks, but said that since I was a writer (she was fooled early on, FaithfulReaders), I should have really cool cufflinks.
Like Scrabble tiles.
Or old, round typewriter keys.
I agreed that that was a fine idea.
DJ V, having excellent manners, brought me a gift on her first visit to my home tonight.
She made me a pair of cufflinks from vintage Scrabble tiles!
DJ V, you really have blown the curve.
DJ V was admiring my cufflinks, but said that since I was a writer (she was fooled early on, FaithfulReaders), I should have really cool cufflinks.
Like Scrabble tiles.
Or old, round typewriter keys.
I agreed that that was a fine idea.
DJ V, having excellent manners, brought me a gift on her first visit to my home tonight.
She made me a pair of cufflinks from vintage Scrabble tiles!
DJ V, you really have blown the curve.
A Serenade
Unexpected and a beautiful moment.
Perhaps auspicious.
Time will tell.
And, since my name is not Bill, probably a better choice.
But I still want what was promised...
When I'm weak I draw strength from you
And when you're lost I know how to change your mood
And when I'm down you breathe life over me
Even though we're miles apart
We are each other's destiny
Perhaps auspicious.
Time will tell.
And, since my name is not Bill, probably a better choice.
But I still want what was promised...
When I'm weak I draw strength from you
And when you're lost I know how to change your mood
And when I'm down you breathe life over me
Even though we're miles apart
We are each other's destiny
Monday, June 19, 2006
An Exception To The Rule
There is nothing quite like having someone show up at your place of employment and join you for lunch.
I love that.
And so DJ V and I strolled over on a lovely summer evening to Liquid Planet, where we had some rice bowls. I tried the teriyaki chicken this time, which was good, but I think I prefer the Thai peanut bowl.
Anyway, a nice secluded table...a leisurely meal - but what is up with this?
We ate indoors!
My only excuse - air conditioning and privacy. But it did screw up our dining record...
I love that.
And so DJ V and I strolled over on a lovely summer evening to Liquid Planet, where we had some rice bowls. I tried the teriyaki chicken this time, which was good, but I think I prefer the Thai peanut bowl.
Anyway, a nice secluded table...a leisurely meal - but what is up with this?
We ate indoors!
My only excuse - air conditioning and privacy. But it did screw up our dining record...
Sorry, This Just Bugs Me
FaithfulReaders may recall I have been following the story of the 1907 Klimt portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer that has been the focus of a restitution battle between the Austrian government and a niece of Mrs. Bloch-Bauer, who argued that it was seized along with four other Klimt paintings by the Nazis during World War II.
In January all five paintings were awarded to the 90 year old niece, Maria Altmann, who lives in Los Angeles.
Today it was announced that she has subsequently sold the portrait to cosmetics magnate Ronald S. Lauder for $135 million, the highest sum ever paid for a painting.
So - here's the thing. She got the painting of her relative back after all of these years. It was an important part of her family history. And then she sells it.
I'm not getting all pious and saying I wouldn't have done the same thing, but it seems that the proper thing to do would have been to donate it to a museum. If this painting truly was a cherished family heirloom, and that was the reason to work so diligently at having it returned, I am unsettled by the quickness with which she parted with it, offering it up to the highest bidder.
In January all five paintings were awarded to the 90 year old niece, Maria Altmann, who lives in Los Angeles.
Today it was announced that she has subsequently sold the portrait to cosmetics magnate Ronald S. Lauder for $135 million, the highest sum ever paid for a painting.
So - here's the thing. She got the painting of her relative back after all of these years. It was an important part of her family history. And then she sells it.
I'm not getting all pious and saying I wouldn't have done the same thing, but it seems that the proper thing to do would have been to donate it to a museum. If this painting truly was a cherished family heirloom, and that was the reason to work so diligently at having it returned, I am unsettled by the quickness with which she parted with it, offering it up to the highest bidder.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Dealbreakers, Narrowly Averted
The List, So Far:
1. Conversant with the oeuvre of Laura Nyro - check.
2. Coffee is the First Beverage of the Day - check.
3. No Television in the Bedroom - check.
4. Cartoon Character-Free Clothing - check.
5. Irrational love of Volvo 240's - check.
1. Conversant with the oeuvre of Laura Nyro - check.
2. Coffee is the First Beverage of the Day - check.
3. No Television in the Bedroom - check.
4. Cartoon Character-Free Clothing - check.
5. Irrational love of Volvo 240's - check.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
He Loves New York
It was a lovely afternoon in NE Ohio, and Mr. Beauregard Van Horne and I decided to take our lunch break sitting outside on a park bench, after visiting the Smokin'Hot HotDog Girl.
What continues to amuse me about this, is the minute Beauregard gets within ten feet of the hotdog cart, he goes all New York, talking in a funny accent and reliving his metropolitan past. It is quite the transformation.
What continues to amuse me about this, is the minute Beauregard gets within ten feet of the hotdog cart, he goes all New York, talking in a funny accent and reliving his metropolitan past. It is quite the transformation.
Twice May Be A Coincidence...
...three times is a pattern.
1. At the Madonna concert
2. Driving the car
3. In the Dressing Room, picking out a party dress and accessorizing
DJ V - I'm on to your game.
1. At the Madonna concert
2. Driving the car
3. In the Dressing Room, picking out a party dress and accessorizing
DJ V - I'm on to your game.
Friday, June 16, 2006
It Is Summer And I Must Dine Outdoors, Continued
Well sure, I got home at 3 am and awoke with annoyingly itchy allergy eyes and a groggy noggin at 10:30, but you have to eat! And since I didn't have to be at work until the leisurely hour of 2, it looked like a good opportunity to meet DJ V.
Since her workplace is right smack in the middle of our fair bustling metropolis (work with what you got, People), it sounded like a swinging, cosmopolitan thing to do - a light lunch downtown, prerequisite - outside seating. And this time, I even let DJ V make the dining choice.
We went to a nearby cafe and I had a great salad - the fact that it was called the Seattle Salad was only about 60% of the reason that I ordered it. Good greens, really fresh, good chicken, plump currants, fresh, crumbly Gorgonzola and walnuts. Heaven.
AND - DJ V spotted Uma Thurman hanging out! Just incredible.
Since her workplace is right smack in the middle of our fair bustling metropolis (work with what you got, People), it sounded like a swinging, cosmopolitan thing to do - a light lunch downtown, prerequisite - outside seating. And this time, I even let DJ V make the dining choice.
We went to a nearby cafe and I had a great salad - the fact that it was called the Seattle Salad was only about 60% of the reason that I ordered it. Good greens, really fresh, good chicken, plump currants, fresh, crumbly Gorgonzola and walnuts. Heaven.
AND - DJ V spotted Uma Thurman hanging out! Just incredible.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
It Is Summer And I Must Dine Outdoors
I had a lovely "lunch" this evening with DJ Volvo who dropped by my place of employment. We strolled on over to the Irish joint, and sat outside near their roaring fire (purely set dressing for ambiance and romance as it was quite pleasant this evening).
I had enticed her to dine with me with the offer to exchange halibut and chips for tales of the Madonna concert that she had driven to Chicago the previous day to see. From all accounts, it was quite the extravaganza and I was, I'll admit, a wee bit jealous, never having seen Madonna. Ever.
Beauregard Van Horne could not contain himself from smirking at me the rest of evening...
I had enticed her to dine with me with the offer to exchange halibut and chips for tales of the Madonna concert that she had driven to Chicago the previous day to see. From all accounts, it was quite the extravaganza and I was, I'll admit, a wee bit jealous, never having seen Madonna. Ever.
Beauregard Van Horne could not contain himself from smirking at me the rest of evening...
What Are The Odds?
DJ Volvo and I discovered that we both have a collection of strange, odd album art. I picked three from my impressively vast collection, and forwarded them to her.
She sent me a bunch...which included two of the three covers I sent her.
Kismet!
She sent me a bunch...which included two of the three covers I sent her.
Kismet!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
The Antithesis of Digital
You gotta love those Californians.
Even as we speak, the world's largest photograph is being made by the world's largest camera. Since I have been bemoaning the death of cameras and film, I was heartened to read this story, and it seemed particularly appropriate that the image being documented was of a landscape that was about to disappear. Oh, so poignant.
If all goes well, within days the air hangar-turned-camera will record a panoramic image of what's on the other side of the door using the centuries-old principle of camera obscura. ( And, having been inside the camera obscura at the Cliff House in Ocean Beach, San Francisco, I am also a fan of the technique)
An image of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station will appear upside down and flipped left to right on a sheath of light-sensitive fabric after being projected through the tiny hole in the hangar's metal door. The fabric is the length of one-third of a football field and about three stories tall.
The photographers are using a 31 x 111 foot piece of white fabric covered in 20 gallons of light-sensitive emulsion as the negative. After exposing the fabric for up to 10 days, they will develop it in a huge tub made of pool siding, using 200 gallons of black-and-white developer solution and 600 gallons of fixer.
The photographers joke that they are also making the world's largest disposable camera since when the photos is completed, the hangar will be torn down.
This project is about being deep inside photography, in the sense that you can walk inside the camera. It's the origins of photography and we've been living in it for weeks at a time said Doug McCulloh, a photography teacher at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
No word on the availability of wallet size prints...
Even as we speak, the world's largest photograph is being made by the world's largest camera. Since I have been bemoaning the death of cameras and film, I was heartened to read this story, and it seemed particularly appropriate that the image being documented was of a landscape that was about to disappear. Oh, so poignant.
If all goes well, within days the air hangar-turned-camera will record a panoramic image of what's on the other side of the door using the centuries-old principle of camera obscura. ( And, having been inside the camera obscura at the Cliff House in Ocean Beach, San Francisco, I am also a fan of the technique)
An image of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station will appear upside down and flipped left to right on a sheath of light-sensitive fabric after being projected through the tiny hole in the hangar's metal door. The fabric is the length of one-third of a football field and about three stories tall.
The photographers are using a 31 x 111 foot piece of white fabric covered in 20 gallons of light-sensitive emulsion as the negative. After exposing the fabric for up to 10 days, they will develop it in a huge tub made of pool siding, using 200 gallons of black-and-white developer solution and 600 gallons of fixer.
The photographers joke that they are also making the world's largest disposable camera since when the photos is completed, the hangar will be torn down.
This project is about being deep inside photography, in the sense that you can walk inside the camera. It's the origins of photography and we've been living in it for weeks at a time said Doug McCulloh, a photography teacher at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
No word on the availability of wallet size prints...
Pet Peeve Of The Month
Abbreviating June as JUN in the by-line for news stories…it’s the Y2K syndrome..it’ll save a space!
To Be Or Not To Be - Online
It’s all Shakespeare all the time at Google’s new site.
Read the plays, search for a pesky quote ( Thou hath not so much brain as ear wax- Troilus and Cressida) , or use GoogleEarth to get a satellite picture of the Globe Theatre.
A missed opportunity - I think it should have been called Googlespeare.
Read the plays, search for a pesky quote ( Thou hath not so much brain as ear wax- Troilus and Cressida) , or use GoogleEarth to get a satellite picture of the Globe Theatre.
A missed opportunity - I think it should have been called Googlespeare.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
8:12 pm
A fantastic day.
I asked DJ Volvo to join me at Sergio’s for dinner. Not only was I looking forward to seeing DJ V, which goes without saying, but I had not been to my favorite restaurant for a LONG time.
I arrived early and secured seating on the patio, as they do not take reservations for those seats. Liz, the best waitress, furnished me with the wine list, and I was happy to see that they were stocking a “baby” amarone. I went ahead and pre-ordered a bottle, since I “owed” DJ V a “good bottle of wine”…
DJ V made her arrival, on time and elegant, and we proceeded to enjoy a marvelous meal - fried spinach for an appetizer (which I winningly convinced her was finger food - it DOES taste just like potato chips), the aforementioned bottle of amarone, my usual orecchiette, and the day’s special - halibut with homemade hollandaise sauce and rice for her. This was followed by dessert - two press pots of Brazilian coffee and coconut butter cake with crème Anglaise.
Two important things happened at dinner. The first was that every time we arrived at a potential “deal breaker” moment, we would scan the other tables to see if their was someone else we would rather be dining with, and that is when we spied the man whose shaved skull was studded with nine white plastic plugs. I don’t see THAT everyday. This convinced us to just stay put and make the best of the situation.
The other event was the deadline we had self-imposed to determine if our dinner was a “date” or a date. The appointed time came, and we interrupted our amazingly witty repartee to acknowledge an evening without quotes.
Following the meal, DJ V began to tell me about her new purchase - an acoustic-electric guitar featuring “exotic wood”. She asked if I would like to “come up and see her guitar”. While that particular bait might not work for everyone, you gotta give her points for knowing her audience. Quite smooth.
And while I have not yet received MY end of the bargain, a particular promised serenade, I was granted immunity to the 11 pm curfew. That was a trade-off I was willing to accept.
I asked DJ Volvo to join me at Sergio’s for dinner. Not only was I looking forward to seeing DJ V, which goes without saying, but I had not been to my favorite restaurant for a LONG time.
I arrived early and secured seating on the patio, as they do not take reservations for those seats. Liz, the best waitress, furnished me with the wine list, and I was happy to see that they were stocking a “baby” amarone. I went ahead and pre-ordered a bottle, since I “owed” DJ V a “good bottle of wine”…
DJ V made her arrival, on time and elegant, and we proceeded to enjoy a marvelous meal - fried spinach for an appetizer (which I winningly convinced her was finger food - it DOES taste just like potato chips), the aforementioned bottle of amarone, my usual orecchiette, and the day’s special - halibut with homemade hollandaise sauce and rice for her. This was followed by dessert - two press pots of Brazilian coffee and coconut butter cake with crème Anglaise.
Two important things happened at dinner. The first was that every time we arrived at a potential “deal breaker” moment, we would scan the other tables to see if their was someone else we would rather be dining with, and that is when we spied the man whose shaved skull was studded with nine white plastic plugs. I don’t see THAT everyday. This convinced us to just stay put and make the best of the situation.
The other event was the deadline we had self-imposed to determine if our dinner was a “date” or a date. The appointed time came, and we interrupted our amazingly witty repartee to acknowledge an evening without quotes.
Following the meal, DJ V began to tell me about her new purchase - an acoustic-electric guitar featuring “exotic wood”. She asked if I would like to “come up and see her guitar”. While that particular bait might not work for everyone, you gotta give her points for knowing her audience. Quite smooth.
And while I have not yet received MY end of the bargain, a particular promised serenade, I was granted immunity to the 11 pm curfew. That was a trade-off I was willing to accept.
Today Told In Song : A Playlist
Write your own short story, Faithful Readers...
Wedding Bell Blues - Laura Nyro
Run For The Roses - Dan Fogelberg
Do You Want To Break Up? - Eurythmics
Ode To My Car - Adam Sandler
Samba de Varo - Patricia Barber
Brazillion - Si*Se
Blues in C - Mary Martin
Myths and Antidotes - Mary Martin
It’s A Crime - Duffy Bishop
Boom Boom (Live) - Duffy Bishop
Caffeine - Patty Larkin
Happy Ever After - Julia Fordham
Last Night I Didn’t Get To Sleep At All - The Fifth Dimension
Music - Madonna
More, More, More - The Andrea True Connection
Wedding Bell Blues - Laura Nyro
Run For The Roses - Dan Fogelberg
Do You Want To Break Up? - Eurythmics
Ode To My Car - Adam Sandler
Samba de Varo - Patricia Barber
Brazillion - Si*Se
Blues in C - Mary Martin
Myths and Antidotes - Mary Martin
It’s A Crime - Duffy Bishop
Boom Boom (Live) - Duffy Bishop
Caffeine - Patty Larkin
Happy Ever After - Julia Fordham
Last Night I Didn’t Get To Sleep At All - The Fifth Dimension
Music - Madonna
More, More, More - The Andrea True Connection
These Are The People In My Neighborhood
This has to be one of the most bizarre news stories I have ever read.
Please, I beg you, go read it in its entirety. Then tell me, an attempt at creative writing, a dream journal, a Beat poem, or just really odd journalism on a slow news day?
You didn't know I had such famous neighbors, did you?
Please, I beg you, go read it in its entirety. Then tell me, an attempt at creative writing, a dream journal, a Beat poem, or just really odd journalism on a slow news day?
You didn't know I had such famous neighbors, did you?
Monday, June 12, 2006
Surreal Summer Nights In The City
So there I was, sitting in my living room, having just gotten off the phone with DJVolvo. It was 8:05 pm, and wafting in from the windows came the hugely satanic sounds of an ice cream truck playing Music Box Dancer…so very creepy. I am sure that the driver looked like Leatherface.
Still, I had an inexplicable urge to run outside and get a treat…all hail Pavlov and Classical Conditioning!
Still, I had an inexplicable urge to run outside and get a treat…all hail Pavlov and Classical Conditioning!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Make Sure It's Not HIS Day Off First...
A man shouted God will save me, if he exists, then lowered himself by a rope into the lion's enclosure at a Kiev zoo. He then took his shoes off and went up to the lions.
A lioness went straight for him, knocked him down and severed his carotid artery.
A lioness went straight for him, knocked him down and severed his carotid artery.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Pretending I Had A Weekend Off
I went to work intentionally early today, pretending that I was like NormalPeople and had the weekend off.
There was lots of fun to be had on a gorgeous, perfect Saturday morning in Cleveland!
There was a Farmer's Market (the star attraction in mind being the little white lamb at the Amish folk's booth, an obvious ploy to get you buy stuff from them just so you could pet the lamb - it worked) (ps - although they had a keyboardist playing lite jazz, it would have been cooler to have an endless Annie Ross loop of Farmer's Market - just a thought...) AND
An art fair!
What is better than strolling under a bright blue sky early in the morning with a nice, warm coffee and looking at art?
Not much, my friends.
What is NOT fun is having the parking lot overflowing its capacity to such an extent that I had to park on the FOURTH floor of a parking garage several blocks away because everyone in the state also thought it would be a great way to start their weekend as well. So ended my affair with the "weekend".
There was lots of fun to be had on a gorgeous, perfect Saturday morning in Cleveland!
There was a Farmer's Market (the star attraction in mind being the little white lamb at the Amish folk's booth, an obvious ploy to get you buy stuff from them just so you could pet the lamb - it worked) (ps - although they had a keyboardist playing lite jazz, it would have been cooler to have an endless Annie Ross loop of Farmer's Market - just a thought...) AND
An art fair!
What is better than strolling under a bright blue sky early in the morning with a nice, warm coffee and looking at art?
Not much, my friends.
What is NOT fun is having the parking lot overflowing its capacity to such an extent that I had to park on the FOURTH floor of a parking garage several blocks away because everyone in the state also thought it would be a great way to start their weekend as well. So ended my affair with the "weekend".
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Things You Can Miss When You Don't Go Outside
After all of the fun, the traveling, the working til the wee hours of the morning...perhaps I was not at my sharpest...
So, I wake up stupidly early, and decide I can operate a motor vehicle and head off to Starbuck's. So far so good...but on the way, I thought I was hallucinating - big time.
Passing the Akron landmark, the 36 foot tall sculpture of the Indian chief Roytaynah, I noticed SOMETHING was different about it. It was covered with scaffolding and being prodded by a guy in a bucket crane and abuzz with workmen, looking strangely similar to the swarms of ants or termites that I supposed they were there to eliminate...Turns out that the artist himself, one Peter Wolf Toth, was in town to apply preservative to his work. Who knew?
The statue, erected in 1985, has already been doctored with foam, fiberglass, polyurethane and previous coats of preservative.
In 1971, Toth began his masterwork - the Trail of the Whispering Giants - his mission to put a statue memorializing American Indians in every state. His very first wooden American Indian statue was created in 1972 at Sand Run Metro Park, carved out of a dead elm tree found at the park. Today, he has completed 67 of the giant statues, with at least one in every state and several in Canada. Rotaynah, the Tuscarora word for chief, was his 51st statue in the installment. It is carved from Kentucky red oak, is 25 feet in circumference and weighs 20 tons.
This was a big deal, that I just HAPPENED to stumble upon - Barbara TwelveEagles of the Native American Indian and Veterans Center in Norton came because she wanted to meet Mr. Toth.
While I was out, I stopped into Border's and picked up a copy of Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found , which I saw came out in paperback when I was in Chicago, but I didn't want to lug it home from there...
Thus fortified, I returned home and basically did nothing but nap for the rest of day. Glorious!
So, I wake up stupidly early, and decide I can operate a motor vehicle and head off to Starbuck's. So far so good...but on the way, I thought I was hallucinating - big time.
Passing the Akron landmark, the 36 foot tall sculpture of the Indian chief Roytaynah, I noticed SOMETHING was different about it. It was covered with scaffolding and being prodded by a guy in a bucket crane and abuzz with workmen, looking strangely similar to the swarms of ants or termites that I supposed they were there to eliminate...Turns out that the artist himself, one Peter Wolf Toth, was in town to apply preservative to his work. Who knew?
The statue, erected in 1985, has already been doctored with foam, fiberglass, polyurethane and previous coats of preservative.
In 1971, Toth began his masterwork - the Trail of the Whispering Giants - his mission to put a statue memorializing American Indians in every state. His very first wooden American Indian statue was created in 1972 at Sand Run Metro Park, carved out of a dead elm tree found at the park. Today, he has completed 67 of the giant statues, with at least one in every state and several in Canada. Rotaynah, the Tuscarora word for chief, was his 51st statue in the installment. It is carved from Kentucky red oak, is 25 feet in circumference and weighs 20 tons.
This was a big deal, that I just HAPPENED to stumble upon - Barbara TwelveEagles of the Native American Indian and Veterans Center in Norton came because she wanted to meet Mr. Toth.
While I was out, I stopped into Border's and picked up a copy of Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found , which I saw came out in paperback when I was in Chicago, but I didn't want to lug it home from there...
Thus fortified, I returned home and basically did nothing but nap for the rest of day. Glorious!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia
We had to leave the luxurious bed at the Sofitel bright and early, but not before going outside to Starbuck's! Then, only then, did we return to check out and get a cab back to the airport and from there, going to work until 2 am. It was destined to be a LONG day for me.
I flipped open my phone and I have to admit, it was kinda shocking to see the display say: 06/06/06.
But again...that is 06/06/06, which is different than 666. 06 06 06 is more like winning a slot machine or something than some sign of the apocalypse.
But, if you are suffering from some phobia of today, that is called Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
If you can spell it, you ARE the Antichrist.
I flipped open my phone and I have to admit, it was kinda shocking to see the display say: 06/06/06.
But again...that is 06/06/06, which is different than 666. 06 06 06 is more like winning a slot machine or something than some sign of the apocalypse.
But, if you are suffering from some phobia of today, that is called Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
If you can spell it, you ARE the Antichrist.
The Real Meaning of 666 - She’s Got Legs
The Number of The Beast, it seems, refers to the number of LEGS.
But not to fear, this Beast is barely over a inch in length (1.3 to be exact).
Who is this? Her name is Illacme plenipes and she and her 666 legs were discovered in San Benito County, California. I. plenipes was discovered in 1926, but hasn't been seen alive for twenty seven years!
She is a millipede, and I gotta say, I think that is a little false advertising. I mean, 666 is just a little more than half of the expected 1,000 feet. If the world was a sideshow, they'd be run out of town...
Speaking of sideshow, Fox News had the best comment on this story, and they were obviously hard pressed for commentators. Here is the exact quote from their report:
"This is a milestone find ,"said Richard Hoffman, a millipede expert at the Virginia Museum of Natural History who had no connection with the discovery.
But not to fear, this Beast is barely over a inch in length (1.3 to be exact).
Who is this? Her name is Illacme plenipes and she and her 666 legs were discovered in San Benito County, California. I. plenipes was discovered in 1926, but hasn't been seen alive for twenty seven years!
She is a millipede, and I gotta say, I think that is a little false advertising. I mean, 666 is just a little more than half of the expected 1,000 feet. If the world was a sideshow, they'd be run out of town...
Speaking of sideshow, Fox News had the best comment on this story, and they were obviously hard pressed for commentators. Here is the exact quote from their report:
"This is a milestone find ,"said Richard Hoffman, a millipede expert at the Virginia Museum of Natural History who had no connection with the discovery.
Monday, June 05, 2006
A Day Full O'Chicago
We awoke a little more groggy that we would have hoped, and declined the enticing offer to breakfast with MyAdoringPublic and her SigOther. I had determined to go to Wicker Park to partake of the lemon pancakes with raspberry sauce at the Bongo Room. Sure, it sounded like I would be a sugar coma for the day, but I was on vacation!
Hopping into the waiting cab, we arrived effortlessly at our destination, and noticed workmen setting up scaffolding across the entrance - seems like the Bongo Room was getting a fresh coat of exterior paint. Not to fear, they were open. When we were seated, however, we encountered the first problem of the day - no lemon pancakes! They changed their menu. So we went six miles out of the way for a mediocre breakfast. I was not amused, but I figured that if we hadn't made the trip, I would have been annoyed at that - it was clearly a "no win" situation.
As we were leaving the restaurant, a patron in a wheelchair was entering, so I held the door open. BC, in a effort to get out of the way did a CLASSIC BC - she walked right into the scaffolding, making a resounding, major league baseballbat smack sound with her head and the wood planks. Luckily, it appeared to be only a minor concussion, something she is all too familiar with, so we traveled on to our destination: THE FIELD MUSEUM!
We were going to see Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs , but arrived early so that we could explore the rest of the museum - in particular, paying homage to Sue. It was especially cool to do that with BC, because she bought me the book Tyrannosaurus Sue: The Extraordinary Saga of the Largest, Most Fought over T-Rex Ever Found when it came out in 2000.
Tucked in corner near Sue is the amazing plasticine bust by forensic anthropologist Elisabeth Daynes of King Tut. Again, I had seen the pictures, but the real sculpture is incredible and eerie. It went a long way to making all of those objects real. Here was the real young man, a king....pretty incredible.
I was really impressed by the huge man eating Lion of Mfuwe. The diorama shows the enormous lion AND a bag of clothes that it was said to have carried around, earning itself the reputation as a sorcerer.
The Museum is also home to the man eating Lions of Tsavo. AND the taxidermied remains of Bushman, the Lincoln Park Zoo's granddaddy gorilla.
Oh, before I forget - I added FOUR squished pennies to my collection: The Field Museum, Tut at the Field, Sue and The Lions. Who was happier than me?
Finally, our appointed hour arrived and we were ushered into the exhibit. It was an incredible experience to see these familiar objects with my own eyes, after seeing them reproduced so often in books. No photograph can do justice to these works. The grandeur and beauty and sense of time of the entire exhibit is overwhelming. If I had to pick a few standouts, one would be the small calcite unguent container with a crouching lion as the lid, which symbolizes order over chaos. I love the sentiment, but was one of those objects that is in EVERY Tut book...and to see the delicacy and loveliness of it for real is very powerful.
Well, after several hours of gazing, I wanted to go out, get some fresh air and something cool. Conveniently, there is an ice cream stand right outside and I got a chocolate and vanilla swirled cone. It was an absolutely perfect day, and we decided it would be fun to take the water taxi over to Navy Pier and find lunch. It was very appropriate because BC and I spent a considerable amount of time of ferries in Seattle, so it was just like old times. The water had a pretty good chop to it, but I have never been on a boat long enough to get bored. As we made our way to the Pier, we spied a huge four masted sailboat out on the horizon and were overcome with jealousy - we wanted to be out there !
We decided to go to the Riva Cafe. BC had in mind seafood and beer for lunch - she got a whole lobster and a Bass (beer, not fish) and I had fish and chips. And I really wanted a Corona. I was glad BC let me stay at the table after I had ordered that. We ate outside and it was glorious. Then we saw that the aforementioned sailboat (The Tall Ship Windy) was docking right in front of us. So....we finished eating and got tickets to go out on the next trip. An hour and a half sailboat cruise along the coastline can't be beat. There were about eight other folks taking the cruise, so it was like having the boat to ourselves. As we left the harbor, BC even helped raise the sails! We then went up to the prow, and I laid down and looked up at the sky and the sails, and felt the sun and the breeze and listened to the quiet of the lapping water and creaking timbers. That had to be one the best afternoons I've had in a LONG time...On our way back, two cool things happened...we saw this huge fountain on the shore, and BC said Hey - That's the Married With Children fountain! Damn, if she wasn't right! And then, as we approached the harbor, the sailboat captain spotted pirates, so the crew had to load up and fire the cannon. Cheesy, sure - but pretty fun!
After disembarking, we went in search of a restroom, and found the Smith Museum of Stained Glass, which houses a huge collection of windows and lamps from old Chicago homes and churches, as well as works by John LaFarge and Tiffany. It was a terrific hidden treasure! Unexpected and beautiful.
We decided to attempt to find our hotel on foot, and began wandering in what we thought was the general direction. We soon came upon the greatest sculpture - it is a bronze sofa and chair...of Bob Newhart! Perfect for those afternoons when you need a little therapy...
As we got closer to the Sofitel, we stopped into Border's for refreshment (pomegranate green iced tea) and to sit down and browse through the history section. BC should have been a history professor. There are very few people who, when standing before a taxidermied elephant can revel you with a tale about elephants from Ptolemy, as she did at the Field Museum earlier. That's my BC, folks.
Well, we decided to just get dinner while we were out, and now BC desired steak...we settled on Dublin's because it satisfied our mutual needs - steak for BC and eating outside for me. I had a mediocre Caesar salad, but sitting on the patio was great. And, the hostess was gorgeous.
We strolled back to the hotel on bustling evening streets, tired, happy and full.
Hopping into the waiting cab, we arrived effortlessly at our destination, and noticed workmen setting up scaffolding across the entrance - seems like the Bongo Room was getting a fresh coat of exterior paint. Not to fear, they were open. When we were seated, however, we encountered the first problem of the day - no lemon pancakes! They changed their menu. So we went six miles out of the way for a mediocre breakfast. I was not amused, but I figured that if we hadn't made the trip, I would have been annoyed at that - it was clearly a "no win" situation.
As we were leaving the restaurant, a patron in a wheelchair was entering, so I held the door open. BC, in a effort to get out of the way did a CLASSIC BC - she walked right into the scaffolding, making a resounding, major league baseballbat smack sound with her head and the wood planks. Luckily, it appeared to be only a minor concussion, something she is all too familiar with, so we traveled on to our destination: THE FIELD MUSEUM!
We were going to see Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs , but arrived early so that we could explore the rest of the museum - in particular, paying homage to Sue. It was especially cool to do that with BC, because she bought me the book Tyrannosaurus Sue: The Extraordinary Saga of the Largest, Most Fought over T-Rex Ever Found when it came out in 2000.
Tucked in corner near Sue is the amazing plasticine bust by forensic anthropologist Elisabeth Daynes of King Tut. Again, I had seen the pictures, but the real sculpture is incredible and eerie. It went a long way to making all of those objects real. Here was the real young man, a king....pretty incredible.
I was really impressed by the huge man eating Lion of Mfuwe. The diorama shows the enormous lion AND a bag of clothes that it was said to have carried around, earning itself the reputation as a sorcerer.
The Museum is also home to the man eating Lions of Tsavo. AND the taxidermied remains of Bushman, the Lincoln Park Zoo's granddaddy gorilla.
Oh, before I forget - I added FOUR squished pennies to my collection: The Field Museum, Tut at the Field, Sue and The Lions. Who was happier than me?
Finally, our appointed hour arrived and we were ushered into the exhibit. It was an incredible experience to see these familiar objects with my own eyes, after seeing them reproduced so often in books. No photograph can do justice to these works. The grandeur and beauty and sense of time of the entire exhibit is overwhelming. If I had to pick a few standouts, one would be the small calcite unguent container with a crouching lion as the lid, which symbolizes order over chaos. I love the sentiment, but was one of those objects that is in EVERY Tut book...and to see the delicacy and loveliness of it for real is very powerful.
Well, after several hours of gazing, I wanted to go out, get some fresh air and something cool. Conveniently, there is an ice cream stand right outside and I got a chocolate and vanilla swirled cone. It was an absolutely perfect day, and we decided it would be fun to take the water taxi over to Navy Pier and find lunch. It was very appropriate because BC and I spent a considerable amount of time of ferries in Seattle, so it was just like old times. The water had a pretty good chop to it, but I have never been on a boat long enough to get bored. As we made our way to the Pier, we spied a huge four masted sailboat out on the horizon and were overcome with jealousy - we wanted to be out there !
We decided to go to the Riva Cafe. BC had in mind seafood and beer for lunch - she got a whole lobster and a Bass (beer, not fish) and I had fish and chips. And I really wanted a Corona. I was glad BC let me stay at the table after I had ordered that. We ate outside and it was glorious. Then we saw that the aforementioned sailboat (The Tall Ship Windy) was docking right in front of us. So....we finished eating and got tickets to go out on the next trip. An hour and a half sailboat cruise along the coastline can't be beat. There were about eight other folks taking the cruise, so it was like having the boat to ourselves. As we left the harbor, BC even helped raise the sails! We then went up to the prow, and I laid down and looked up at the sky and the sails, and felt the sun and the breeze and listened to the quiet of the lapping water and creaking timbers. That had to be one the best afternoons I've had in a LONG time...On our way back, two cool things happened...we saw this huge fountain on the shore, and BC said Hey - That's the Married With Children fountain! Damn, if she wasn't right! And then, as we approached the harbor, the sailboat captain spotted pirates, so the crew had to load up and fire the cannon. Cheesy, sure - but pretty fun!
After disembarking, we went in search of a restroom, and found the Smith Museum of Stained Glass, which houses a huge collection of windows and lamps from old Chicago homes and churches, as well as works by John LaFarge and Tiffany. It was a terrific hidden treasure! Unexpected and beautiful.
We decided to attempt to find our hotel on foot, and began wandering in what we thought was the general direction. We soon came upon the greatest sculpture - it is a bronze sofa and chair...of Bob Newhart! Perfect for those afternoons when you need a little therapy...
As we got closer to the Sofitel, we stopped into Border's for refreshment (pomegranate green iced tea) and to sit down and browse through the history section. BC should have been a history professor. There are very few people who, when standing before a taxidermied elephant can revel you with a tale about elephants from Ptolemy, as she did at the Field Museum earlier. That's my BC, folks.
Well, we decided to just get dinner while we were out, and now BC desired steak...we settled on Dublin's because it satisfied our mutual needs - steak for BC and eating outside for me. I had a mediocre Caesar salad, but sitting on the patio was great. And, the hostess was gorgeous.
We strolled back to the hotel on bustling evening streets, tired, happy and full.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
It's Our Party
I got up bright and early and commenced a quick packing job - today is the day of the big party thrown once a year by my employer - and headed off to the airport, where I was rendezvousing with MyAdoringPublic and her date, SamTheButcher. We had cleverly scheduled ourselves on the same flight, and as it turned out, I was seated in the row directly in front of them.
If anyone has flown from Cleveland to Chicago, you will be familiar with that moment of uncertainty when you look at your itinerary and see that you leave at, say, 10 am and arrive in Chicago at 10:12 am. Oh, yeah, there's that TIME ZONE. Just enough time for a catnap and a brief sip of a beverage (they served us and mere seconds later were collecting half filled glasses for landing) and bang! You are in O'Hare. Here we parted ways, as I had to find the gate that my party guest, BC, was arriving at. Sounds simple, but it took the better part of 40 minutes and about three airline officials to get the straight story. Everyone wanted to tell me the gate she LEFT from, which, I felt was clearly irrelevant. But they do have a giant dinosaur in the airport, and you have to love that. Anyway, we found each other and off we went in search of Ground Transportation.
There was an array of taxis to choose from, so I picked the most aesthetically pleasing, cleanest cab ( a snazzy combination of tan and green). We arrived soon enough at the Sofitel Water Tower, which is some bit of architecture conjured from the imagination of Jean-Paul Viguier (he's French). We checked in, and went to check out the room. We had a terrific view of the John Hancock Center, and could even see the lake. I liked the bathroom, with its seperate marble shower. They had the good taste to furnish us with Frette robes (which are Italian). This was going to be good.
Hunger was getting the best of us, so we set off to explore some options, and ran into the very charming outdoor Basil's Cafe at the Talbott Hotel, which was literally around the corner. Short walk. I decided to live large and try the Kobe beef burger. It was wonderful, and we each had a Goose Island beer - when in Rome, you know.
We then had several options - there was a the Printer's Row Bookfair going on, there was a couple of good exhibits at the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art 0r....I suggested we could walk to the Biograph Theatre and see where John Dillinger met his untimely end. That was the winner. And while Perry, the helpful concierge said we could walk there - just because you can doesn't mean you should. It was three miles. We saw a great deal of the city, including walking past Lincoln Park Zoo, where BC asked if that was a bunny in the grass, I said, Yes, it is. Then she asked if that was a squirrel by the sidewalk. Again,affirmative. She said it was a GREAT ZOO. OK, not so funny, but we'd been walking a LONG time...There were lots of dogwalkers enjoying a perfect Sunday afternoon and great buildings, but we LOVED the cab ride home. Oh, yeah, we passed a Starbuck's or two on the walk. Don't think I didn't pay my respects...
We were back at the hotel in time for some room service snacks, a quick nap, and then the transformation into our party clothes. MyAdoringPublic and SamTheButcher came down and we went to get the party started! We were all dressed in formal black, and made a lovely quartet. MAP had one killer evening dress, folks. You all missed it.
The party was quite nice and it was great to see everyone in our extended work family and make some new connections. Food, wine, dancing the night away.
We retired to the room and while BC read up a little on King Tut, I watched a program on the Sundance Channel about human behavior experiments. Frightening, yet interesting. We then went to sleep in a FANTASTIC bed (it was the featherbed that made it great) eager for our adventure tomorrow...
If anyone has flown from Cleveland to Chicago, you will be familiar with that moment of uncertainty when you look at your itinerary and see that you leave at, say, 10 am and arrive in Chicago at 10:12 am. Oh, yeah, there's that TIME ZONE. Just enough time for a catnap and a brief sip of a beverage (they served us and mere seconds later were collecting half filled glasses for landing) and bang! You are in O'Hare. Here we parted ways, as I had to find the gate that my party guest, BC, was arriving at. Sounds simple, but it took the better part of 40 minutes and about three airline officials to get the straight story. Everyone wanted to tell me the gate she LEFT from, which, I felt was clearly irrelevant. But they do have a giant dinosaur in the airport, and you have to love that. Anyway, we found each other and off we went in search of Ground Transportation.
There was an array of taxis to choose from, so I picked the most aesthetically pleasing, cleanest cab ( a snazzy combination of tan and green). We arrived soon enough at the Sofitel Water Tower, which is some bit of architecture conjured from the imagination of Jean-Paul Viguier (he's French). We checked in, and went to check out the room. We had a terrific view of the John Hancock Center, and could even see the lake. I liked the bathroom, with its seperate marble shower. They had the good taste to furnish us with Frette robes (which are Italian). This was going to be good.
Hunger was getting the best of us, so we set off to explore some options, and ran into the very charming outdoor Basil's Cafe at the Talbott Hotel, which was literally around the corner. Short walk. I decided to live large and try the Kobe beef burger. It was wonderful, and we each had a Goose Island beer - when in Rome, you know.
We then had several options - there was a the Printer's Row Bookfair going on, there was a couple of good exhibits at the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art 0r....I suggested we could walk to the Biograph Theatre and see where John Dillinger met his untimely end. That was the winner. And while Perry, the helpful concierge said we could walk there - just because you can doesn't mean you should. It was three miles. We saw a great deal of the city, including walking past Lincoln Park Zoo, where BC asked if that was a bunny in the grass, I said, Yes, it is. Then she asked if that was a squirrel by the sidewalk. Again,affirmative. She said it was a GREAT ZOO. OK, not so funny, but we'd been walking a LONG time...There were lots of dogwalkers enjoying a perfect Sunday afternoon and great buildings, but we LOVED the cab ride home. Oh, yeah, we passed a Starbuck's or two on the walk. Don't think I didn't pay my respects...
We were back at the hotel in time for some room service snacks, a quick nap, and then the transformation into our party clothes. MyAdoringPublic and SamTheButcher came down and we went to get the party started! We were all dressed in formal black, and made a lovely quartet. MAP had one killer evening dress, folks. You all missed it.
The party was quite nice and it was great to see everyone in our extended work family and make some new connections. Food, wine, dancing the night away.
We retired to the room and while BC read up a little on King Tut, I watched a program on the Sundance Channel about human behavior experiments. Frightening, yet interesting. We then went to sleep in a FANTASTIC bed (it was the featherbed that made it great) eager for our adventure tomorrow...
Saturday, June 03, 2006
The Cave O Plenty
Eight previously unknown invertebrate creatures have been discovered in an underground cave in central Israel.
These include a blind scorpion and a white shrimp-like being.
Scientists say it is a unique ecosystem that has been sealed off from the world for five million years and could contain other ancient lifeforms.
And maybe even Martians. I am also thinking some Hoffa DNA might turn up...
These include a blind scorpion and a white shrimp-like being.
Scientists say it is a unique ecosystem that has been sealed off from the world for five million years and could contain other ancient lifeforms.
And maybe even Martians. I am also thinking some Hoffa DNA might turn up...
Friday, June 02, 2006
Roots
After making a big purchase, sometimes you just need a stiff drink.
So....
Roots, a 1943 small oil on metal painting by Frida Kahlo, completed after she remarried her lifelong love, Diego Rivera and symbolizing their unity after years of pain of suffering, was put for auction by Marilyn Oshman, a Houston art collector.
I am not a museum said Oshman, and I didn't like feeling that walking into my house was like walking into a bank vault.
Fair enough. Oshman, whose fortune came from the Oshman's Sporting Goods chain, owned the painting since 1982. Back then, Kahlo paintings weren't expensive. In the late 1970s, Sotheby's struggled to sell a major work for $20,000.
Roots was sold for $5.62 million, a record as the most expensive Latin American work ever purchased at auction as well as becoming the most expensive Kahlo ever sold at auction.
The previous Latin American record was held by Kahlo's 1929 Self-Portrait that fetched $5,065,750 at Sotheby's New York in May of 2000 which, at the time, was a also record for a female artist at auction.
Now for the drinking - how to celebrate your purchase?
Why, with Frida Tequila of course!
Oh, yeah. Frida Kahlo Tequila is made in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Kahlo's publicity and profit seeking niece Isolda says:
It has been an exciting adventure to develop and launch a product that woulcharacterizese my Aunt Frida - her love for Mexico, her strength and her passion for life. Tequila, her favoritete drink, accompanied her in the greatest moments of her life.
Okay, Isolda. Most biographies claim that Frida drank a bottle of tequila a day to quell the pain from her devastating injuries and heartbreak. Could be the greatest moments of her life. I suppose.
It comes in three varieties, retailing at $50, $65 and $90 a bottle. Each bottle bears a picture of Kahlo and sells under the slogan Being original is no sin.
(Which reminds me of the Paula Poundstone observation - she saw a billboard that said The wages of sin are death. She remarked: Well, sure, but once they take taxes out, it's more like just a tired feeling...)
So....
Roots, a 1943 small oil on metal painting by Frida Kahlo, completed after she remarried her lifelong love, Diego Rivera and symbolizing their unity after years of pain of suffering, was put for auction by Marilyn Oshman, a Houston art collector.
I am not a museum said Oshman, and I didn't like feeling that walking into my house was like walking into a bank vault.
Fair enough. Oshman, whose fortune came from the Oshman's Sporting Goods chain, owned the painting since 1982. Back then, Kahlo paintings weren't expensive. In the late 1970s, Sotheby's struggled to sell a major work for $20,000.
Roots was sold for $5.62 million, a record as the most expensive Latin American work ever purchased at auction as well as becoming the most expensive Kahlo ever sold at auction.
The previous Latin American record was held by Kahlo's 1929 Self-Portrait that fetched $5,065,750 at Sotheby's New York in May of 2000 which, at the time, was a also record for a female artist at auction.
Now for the drinking - how to celebrate your purchase?
Why, with Frida Tequila of course!
Oh, yeah. Frida Kahlo Tequila is made in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Kahlo's publicity and profit seeking niece Isolda says:
It has been an exciting adventure to develop and launch a product that woulcharacterizese my Aunt Frida - her love for Mexico, her strength and her passion for life. Tequila, her favoritete drink, accompanied her in the greatest moments of her life.
Okay, Isolda. Most biographies claim that Frida drank a bottle of tequila a day to quell the pain from her devastating injuries and heartbreak. Could be the greatest moments of her life. I suppose.
It comes in three varieties, retailing at $50, $65 and $90 a bottle. Each bottle bears a picture of Kahlo and sells under the slogan Being original is no sin.
(Which reminds me of the Paula Poundstone observation - she saw a billboard that said The wages of sin are death. She remarked: Well, sure, but once they take taxes out, it's more like just a tired feeling...)
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Phoenix Rising
The Phoenix is a supernatural creature, living for 1000 years. Once that time is over, it builds its own funeral pyre, and throws itself into the flames. As it dies, it is reborn anew, and rises from the ashes to live another 1000 years.
The PaperMoon is supposed to be hanging over Phoenix for a few days at a swanky, romantic resort.
I am not there.
There are always choices to be made - to throw yourself into the flames, or to start anew.
Which will it be? A conflagration or a commitment?
I have my preference. But this puts me in mind of samsara - where I find myself in an endless cycle of wanting and rewanting...
The PaperMoon is supposed to be hanging over Phoenix for a few days at a swanky, romantic resort.
I am not there.
There are always choices to be made - to throw yourself into the flames, or to start anew.
Which will it be? A conflagration or a commitment?
I have my preference. But this puts me in mind of samsara - where I find myself in an endless cycle of wanting and rewanting...
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