Church signs interest me, simply because I've often wondered where they get the ideas for their signs. Some of them are quite thought-provoking, and some are just plain punny.
I'd wondered if there was a newsletter or organization that supplied churches with their marquee ideas. I didn't think that each church had its own copywriter that supplied them with their signs, simply because churches probably couldn't afford a freelancer week after week, and volunteers wouldn't be so consistent either. Plus, if you live in an area with multiple churches, you'll see them start to repeat, and one would hope the churches weren't stealing them from one another, because of that whole commandment thing.
Well, now I know the truth. Apparently there are books on this sort of thing. Here's one. You should pick it up if you own a church. If you don't own a church, there's probably not much use in it, though.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Stabbing the Cat
Just after Zilla did this post about getting cats in to the vet, we took the Bean in for a doctor's appointment. She had been drinking large amounts of water and we thought it may be her kidneys or diabetes.
A trip to the vet is no small production when it comes to the Bean. If you don't know Miss Mina, you don't know what a handful she can be, and that's putting it lightly. Several years ago, one vet sedated her just to give her an exam. This was after she lunged at him when he came into the room. She was still swiping at him while she was under sedation. She was swiping veeeeery slowly, but she was technically unconscious at the time. After her recovery, I had to go to the back room to retrieve her after she cornered a nurse.
We have since found a vet that can handle her, but even at this vet, when she went in for bloodwork this time, had her squealing and kicking and spitting. He told us that she was "a strong little girl". Of course, once she was returned to my arms, she calmed down but continued to shoot the death glare at the doctors and nurses, just daring them to try that move again.
The Bean's test came back showing that she is diabetic (which surprised the doctor, who thought she had too much energy to be diabetic, but he didn't understand her capacity for evil), and requires twice daily insulin injections. Normally, the vet would keep her there, to monitor her blood sugar until they got it exact, but her vet confessed that they can't handle that, so they've released her to our care, with weekly visits until she's evened out. It's cheaper this way to be sure, and while I don't relish loading her up to go to the vet once a week, my little princess is going to have an easier time of it, and is less likely to kill a vet while in my presence.
To add further insult, she got so worked up that she peed in the crate on the way home from the vet, subjecting herself to a bath when we got home, and to me calling her "Pee Cat" for the rest of the evening, which only served to further sour her mood. Additionally, as she is wont to do, after her three recent visits to the vet, her first course of action upon arrival back at home is to seek out the dog and punch him in the mouth. I don't know if she is taking out her aggression or simply ensuring that the natural order of things has remained in effect during her brief absence, but it's what she does.
I never wanted a cat, and we didn't seek out Miss Mina. She walked into a party at Nicole's apartment when we were in college and has been a part of our home for the past 13 years. She sleeps in a giant purple bowl in the middle of the living room floor, and is a little ray of sunshine for Nicole and I, even though she would like to destroy much of the rest of the Western World. I don't know what things would be like without her, and I am very attached to her, so you do what needs to be done. The shots aren't bad; she doesn't even flinch. It will put a damper on travelling for the foreseeable future, but this is the responsibility you take on as a pet owner.
So that's where we are with our little "pee cat". Things will return to normal and, like Wilford Brimley, she'll deal with her sugar diabetes and be a part of our life for quite a few more years.
A trip to the vet is no small production when it comes to the Bean. If you don't know Miss Mina, you don't know what a handful she can be, and that's putting it lightly. Several years ago, one vet sedated her just to give her an exam. This was after she lunged at him when he came into the room. She was still swiping at him while she was under sedation. She was swiping veeeeery slowly, but she was technically unconscious at the time. After her recovery, I had to go to the back room to retrieve her after she cornered a nurse.
We have since found a vet that can handle her, but even at this vet, when she went in for bloodwork this time, had her squealing and kicking and spitting. He told us that she was "a strong little girl". Of course, once she was returned to my arms, she calmed down but continued to shoot the death glare at the doctors and nurses, just daring them to try that move again.
The Bean's test came back showing that she is diabetic (which surprised the doctor, who thought she had too much energy to be diabetic, but he didn't understand her capacity for evil), and requires twice daily insulin injections. Normally, the vet would keep her there, to monitor her blood sugar until they got it exact, but her vet confessed that they can't handle that, so they've released her to our care, with weekly visits until she's evened out. It's cheaper this way to be sure, and while I don't relish loading her up to go to the vet once a week, my little princess is going to have an easier time of it, and is less likely to kill a vet while in my presence.
To add further insult, she got so worked up that she peed in the crate on the way home from the vet, subjecting herself to a bath when we got home, and to me calling her "Pee Cat" for the rest of the evening, which only served to further sour her mood. Additionally, as she is wont to do, after her three recent visits to the vet, her first course of action upon arrival back at home is to seek out the dog and punch him in the mouth. I don't know if she is taking out her aggression or simply ensuring that the natural order of things has remained in effect during her brief absence, but it's what she does.
I never wanted a cat, and we didn't seek out Miss Mina. She walked into a party at Nicole's apartment when we were in college and has been a part of our home for the past 13 years. She sleeps in a giant purple bowl in the middle of the living room floor, and is a little ray of sunshine for Nicole and I, even though she would like to destroy much of the rest of the Western World. I don't know what things would be like without her, and I am very attached to her, so you do what needs to be done. The shots aren't bad; she doesn't even flinch. It will put a damper on travelling for the foreseeable future, but this is the responsibility you take on as a pet owner.
So that's where we are with our little "pee cat". Things will return to normal and, like Wilford Brimley, she'll deal with her sugar diabetes and be a part of our life for quite a few more years.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Are you experienced? And if so, is it good? (AKA - the connection between produce stands and Web design explained)
Sunday morning, Westborn Market, Royal Oak:
Have you ever had one of those great grocery shopping days? This was one. After a visit to Trader Joe’s - a must for a wide variety of inexpensive organic foods (Zilla, I even picked up a boxed spelt dish, just out of tribute to you!), high-quality reasonably priced fish and a large selection of very good table wines for under $10 and often under $5 - we had made our way to Westborn Market for produce.
Given the choice, I prefer to go to Detroit's Eastern Market for produce. Everything is fresher, mostly organic, and cheaper. Plus it's just more fun to wander an open-air market, buying your produce from stalls, than it is going to a store. But we didn't have the time to go to the market this day.
It was one of those perfect shopping experiences. There was great music, with Lily Allen and The Decemberists playing on the in-store P.A. There were awesome samples of gourmet cheese throughout the store, enough that we pretty much had lunch there, and the place is just laid out beautifully, with heaps of great-looking produce, and a gourmet deli where we snagged a couple of pre-made chef salads to carry for lunch today.
As I was standing next to the coffee area, smelling the wonderful way the fresh bourbon pecan roast smelled, I remarked to Nicole that this store offered up a fantastic user experience. Her reply, after she laughed at my comment, was, "why don't you improve your user experience by going over there and getting some green onions?"
That's an inside joke that maybe only those in the ad/design industries will appreciate, but "user experience" really is a big deal to everyone, even if they don't realize what it is. Specifically, it's often used to relate to Web sites, but it essentially relates the idea that it doesn't matter how great something is if the people who use it don't enjoy using it, or can't use it easily.
Ergonomics is a similar idea, but less of an abstract ideal than user experience. Think about how user experience works for you. Think about those stores that have great products or great prices, but you hate visiting because you can't find anything or because the salespeople aren't helpful. Or those restaurants with great food but lousy service (or vice versa). The Secretary of State's Office with its long lines and indifferent employees, and even that road that gets you to work or school each day but is always under construction or crippled to a snail's pace by traffic. All of these are things that offer bad user experiences.
I really think that anyone who's in a field that doesn't deal daily with the concept of user experience could really benefit by taking a seminar on the idea (But not a boring seminar. Boring seminars offer a... that's right... a bad user experience). Imagine if more places realized that not only should they offer a service, but they should offer that service in a simple and pleasant fashion? Do you realize how less stressful things would be if that was the focus?
Monday, March 19, 2007
When in Rome...
Do as the... ummm Texans do. In this case, it involves drinking Lone Star ("The National Beer of Texas") and singing along to Gary Glitter on the jukebox.
I'm a stickler.
Apparently I stickle.
That's what I was informed of by the Eats, Shoots & Leaves quiz.
I am OK with this. It's not bad to be a stickler when it comes to punctuation, grammar and spelling, and I got 100% on the quiz.
It's not totally inherent, to be sure. When I am working quickly, hammering out a post in a few free moments, a "to" instead of a "too" will slip by, or a "your" instead of a "you're". That's out of working quickly, rather than not knowing any better.
Which is probably worse when you think about it - committing an error I know better than to do. For example, you'd never ever EVER catch me saying that I "should of" done something. I hate that one over all. So why is it OK for me to make the random mistake?
Because I'm human I guess, and I know that with some extra time and care, it could be perfect. It's something to strive for, and an easy one, too. I'll save that goal for when I'm really down on myself. For now, I've got other stuff to strive for, so I'm not "to" worried about the grammar and punctuation in this blog.
At any rate, you can take Truss' test here. And if you haven't read Eats, Shoots & Leaves, you should.
And yes, we're back from Austin and SXSW. I have some photos and stuff to share for sure, but I've got to work on this site first.
Monday, March 12, 2007
St. Patrick Comes Early To Motown
In a few hours, I'll be on my way to Austin and SXSW, but before I go, I wanted to share a few photos of Detroit's St. Patrick's Day parade (AKA the day they suspend the open intox laws).
Just remember, no matter what planet you're from, you're Irish on St. Patty's Day!
And even the Buddhists turn out to pay respect to the Saint.
All our friends turned up, including the Millionaire.
And this guy was representing my Alma Mater. It made me proud. Go Broncos!
Have a great holiday everyone. I'll update from Texas if I get a chance!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The traveller stops... for a second anyway.
I guess it's time for what has turned into the weekly (or less so) update. Life is just managing to bowl me over with everything that need to get done.As if there's not enough already going on, we've opened up our home and welcomed a new addition to the family. Isn't she pretty? I think she's pretty awesome. She doesn't have a name yet, but we're open to suggestions.
A Tale of Two Shanes
As many of you know, this is Shane.
What some of you don't know is that he's named after this Shane.
This is Shane McGowen, the original lead singer of the Pogues, one of my all-time favorite bands.
He's also a notorious drunk. He was thrown out of the Pogues in the 90s for it. He then started his own band, Shane McGowen and the Popes. I had tickets to see them on my birthday several years ago. The Popes showed up. Shane didn't. He'd gone facedown on the bar next door.
Eventually the Pogues coaxed him back for reunion tours. But they only play short tours, consisting of multi-night engagements in the same cities. I strongly suspect this has to do with it making it easier to keep track of Shane, but this hasn't been confirmed.
I don't know how much time Shane McGowen has left, although he is the man who said, "The British press have been giving me six months to live for the past twenty years - they must be getting pissed off interviewing me by now." So who knows? I just know that I consider myself fortunate to have had tickets to see him last Monday in Chicago.
They played for two and a half hours, and played most of my favorites. Shane, as always, looked really rough, but actually not as rough as he has looked. He would sing two or three songs, though, and then go sit down, and he passed the singing duties of some of his longer songs off. He doesn't have the staying power anymore.
Here's some Pogues goodness if you have a moment...
Also on that trip to Chicago, we paid a visit to the aquarium... gift shop. We didn't actually make it into the aquarium, because well...
The day started with some killer margaritas for lunch.
Then we got to the aquarium, and as we waited in line for the aquarium, we saw that it was $30 to get in. $30 buys many beers (and it did). So we decided to just visit the gift shop instead.
While we were in the gift shop, I got an idea that, if we were to dress like we worked there, maybe we could sneak in. And who works at the aquarium? Fish and dolphins!
It didn't work though, so we moved on.
But greetings from the aquarium, anyway!
After we got back, it was time to do the Punk Fitness demo for The Hamtramck Blowout. It's funny, it's reaching the point where the annual events are repeatedly... ummm repeating themselves around here.
This year's blowout opened with a performance by Adult. Adult. is an amazing band, who doesn't perform a lot. When they do perform, they bring in MZZO, the world's greatest sound guy from Chicago. He tours with them (as well as with a ton of other bands). He's a good friend of ours; he went to school with The Fabulous Nicole.
So, we got the added bonus of seeing him in Chicago, and then again in Detroit in just a few days.
Rather than take a picture of Adult. on stage, here's MZZO at work. It's where the magic really happens...
Now, once again I am digging in. SXSW beckons, and I've started making arrangements for our second annual breast cancer benefit.
I thought about slowing down once, but I have some stuff to get done first.
Friday, February 23, 2007
It's all about meat today...
I don't know if it's the dreariness as winter drags on or what, but it seems like nobody is really updating right now, myself included. I've been going on with business as usual lately, but I haven't felt like saying too much about it lately. But it looks like nobody has.
For example, last time I posted I mentioned my new wet/dry vac, and plans for renovating my basement. The Blogger Me of just a few months ago could have rattled on ad nauseum about it, but instead I simply threw it out there and let it go.
I tried to write a longer post about the county treaurer from Alcona County who spent all of the county's money on a Nigerian email scam (link), but it fizzled out before it went anywhere.
It has to be the weather, but nothing has really made me feel like posting all that much. It's like it's gonna take another giant squid story to knock me out of this rut.
Fortunately, there was one today. In New Zealand, they caught a 33-footer, the first intact adult colossal squid (which is like the giant squid, but fatter) ever hauled in. As is the case with all giant (or colossal) squid stories, I was able to find the one important detail in the story for you: what it would be like to eat him.
Here's the "meat" of the story:
Can you imagine a platter of calamari rings the size of tractor "tyres"? That would be awesome! That's British spelling, by the way. It's a BBC story (link).
When I was a kid, I read books about Bigfoot, Nessie and giant squid, hoping that we'd have serious proof of all of them. It still interests me. My mom still cuts out newspaper articles and mails them to me.
Over the years, the squid has become verifiable, though. So have I lost my sense of wonder? Has the squid lost some of its mystique?
Nope. I'll never lose my childlike sense of wonder for these guys.
Not until I get to eat one, anyway.
That goes for you too, Bigfoot.
For example, last time I posted I mentioned my new wet/dry vac, and plans for renovating my basement. The Blogger Me of just a few months ago could have rattled on ad nauseum about it, but instead I simply threw it out there and let it go.
I tried to write a longer post about the county treaurer from Alcona County who spent all of the county's money on a Nigerian email scam (link), but it fizzled out before it went anywhere.
It has to be the weather, but nothing has really made me feel like posting all that much. It's like it's gonna take another giant squid story to knock me out of this rut.Fortunately, there was one today. In New Zealand, they caught a 33-footer, the first intact adult colossal squid (which is like the giant squid, but fatter) ever hauled in. As is the case with all giant (or colossal) squid stories, I was able to find the one important detail in the story for you: what it would be like to eat him.
Here's the "meat" of the story:
One expert said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres.
Can you imagine a platter of calamari rings the size of tractor "tyres"? That would be awesome! That's British spelling, by the way. It's a BBC story (link).
When I was a kid, I read books about Bigfoot, Nessie and giant squid, hoping that we'd have serious proof of all of them. It still interests me. My mom still cuts out newspaper articles and mails them to me.
Over the years, the squid has become verifiable, though. So have I lost my sense of wonder? Has the squid lost some of its mystique?
Nope. I'll never lose my childlike sense of wonder for these guys.
Not until I get to eat one, anyway.
That goes for you too, Bigfoot.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
So I hear things are big in Texas... even the music festivals
Dirty is done, and it was a definitely raunchy good time. We had a lot of fun, but I actually only took one photo (bad blogger! ).
It's a good one, though.
It's the fabulous Nicole, with Queen Bee (a good friend and one of Detroit's resident rockstars) and Julie (the isntructor/originator of Punk Fitness Detroit).
Plus, I bought my very first wet/dry vacuum yesterday. That's some exciting grown up stuff, no? Look for some photos of my refinished basement, hopefully soon, but I have to refinish it first.
It's a good one, though.
It's the fabulous Nicole, with Queen Bee (a good friend and one of Detroit's resident rockstars) and Julie (the isntructor/originator of Punk Fitness Detroit).
My big news now is that, next month, I'll be heading out to Austin for SXSW. SXSW music is five days, and literally hundreds of bands. Literally. Check out this list if you don't believe me.
I'm really excited about this, so much so that I turned down an invitation to a party at the British Embassy in New York. (No, that's not a lie. I have an invitation from the consulate and everything!)
Plus, I bought my very first wet/dry vacuum yesterday. That's some exciting grown up stuff, no? Look for some photos of my refinished basement, hopefully soon, but I have to refinish it first.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Living the Dirty Life
Once again, lax at posting. I don't really feel apologetic this time, though, and I'm not 100% sure why.
I've been living life a lot lately. This is surprising, due to the fact that we're also in the grips of an arctic blast right now that makes me not want to do much more than hibernate.
Somehow, as of late, I have managed to combine hibernation with some other stuff. There were some monster trucks.
And there was a "dinner" at Luna's house. I use dinner loosely, because while there was food (her husband, who I don't have a cutesy nickname for right now, is an excellent chef who had a spread of Spanish Tapas out for us), the festivities lasted until 8:30 the next morning.
Luna is a good friend that we lost touch with for a few years due to us all being young and dumb. I am really glad we're all friends again. She and Nicole are fabulaous together.
My one disappointment is that there were six of us, yet only 10 bottles of wine were consumed. We chould have done 12 easily, so some people weren't pulling their weight. I can honestly say it wasn't me, because I felt like a train had hit me the next day.
Speaking of The Fabulous Nicole , she is in the Dirty Show again this year (that link is NSFW). It opens again tonight, and is always a wicked raunchy good time. Pictures from last year (also somewhat NSFW) can be found here.
So we'll be spending much of the weekend getting dirty. Wish me luck.
I've been living life a lot lately. This is surprising, due to the fact that we're also in the grips of an arctic blast right now that makes me not want to do much more than hibernate.
Somehow, as of late, I have managed to combine hibernation with some other stuff. There were some monster trucks.
And there was a "dinner" at Luna's house. I use dinner loosely, because while there was food (her husband, who I don't have a cutesy nickname for right now, is an excellent chef who had a spread of Spanish Tapas out for us), the festivities lasted until 8:30 the next morning.
Luna is a good friend that we lost touch with for a few years due to us all being young and dumb. I am really glad we're all friends again. She and Nicole are fabulaous together.
My one disappointment is that there were six of us, yet only 10 bottles of wine were consumed. We chould have done 12 easily, so some people weren't pulling their weight. I can honestly say it wasn't me, because I felt like a train had hit me the next day.
Speaking of The Fabulous Nicole , she is in the Dirty Show again this year (that link is NSFW). It opens again tonight, and is always a wicked raunchy good time. Pictures from last year (also somewhat NSFW) can be found here.
So we'll be spending much of the weekend getting dirty. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Just some random junk…
The benefits of the iPod
I was just musing to myself on how much the iPod has really changed the way we use music. I think years from now, cultural history texts are really going to make note of that.
I used to go back and forth from home and the office with about 10-20 CDs with me, and never had something that matched my mood. Now, I have hundreds, and I can usually match my mood.
I blame it on a severe case of being a Gemini. I’m not moody, but I am fickle. I just pulled out my iPod, and I am currently flipping back and forth between Sonic Youth and I Object! That’s a wide range, and not albums I would have thought I’d be in the mood for this morning.
As far as new music goes, at Nicole’s insistence we bought Nirvana’s Nevermind this weekend. I never owned a CD copy of that record, just a cassette I played to death a long time ago. Goddamn that was (is) a great album! I miss them… and I unfortunately haven’t added that one to my Ipod yet, although I do have In Utero, and With The Lights Out, so I can get a fix.
Do you remember when they played on the MTV awards and Krist Novoselic knocked himself out with his bass? If you’ve not seen it, you must check it out. For those with short attention spans, it’s right near the end.
The benefits of wealth
My supply of Christmas socks is dwindling. I love new socks. If I were a millionaire, that would be my one rich man extravagence; I would put on a brand new pair of socks every day, and throw out the old ones. That would be my only eccentricity. The other things, like the vineyard, petting zoo, and monkeys trained to ride bicycles wouldn’t be eccentricities, they’d be necessities. There’s a difference, and once you figure it out, you’re free to come over to my house and pet the goats. Bring socks.
The benefits of super powers
As I was getting on the elevator at work the other day, I was watching the guy fill the ATM. There was a giant pile of money there, and it occurred to me that if I had super powers like Plasticman, I could shoot my hand across the hall and grab the money and yank it back in just as the door closed.
Then it occurred to me that if I did that, I’d become a supervillain, not a superhero. I didn’t like that.
You see, my powers can only be used for good.
I was just musing to myself on how much the iPod has really changed the way we use music. I think years from now, cultural history texts are really going to make note of that.
I used to go back and forth from home and the office with about 10-20 CDs with me, and never had something that matched my mood. Now, I have hundreds, and I can usually match my mood.
I blame it on a severe case of being a Gemini. I’m not moody, but I am fickle. I just pulled out my iPod, and I am currently flipping back and forth between Sonic Youth and I Object! That’s a wide range, and not albums I would have thought I’d be in the mood for this morning.
As far as new music goes, at Nicole’s insistence we bought Nirvana’s Nevermind this weekend. I never owned a CD copy of that record, just a cassette I played to death a long time ago. Goddamn that was (is) a great album! I miss them… and I unfortunately haven’t added that one to my Ipod yet, although I do have In Utero, and With The Lights Out, so I can get a fix.
Do you remember when they played on the MTV awards and Krist Novoselic knocked himself out with his bass? If you’ve not seen it, you must check it out. For those with short attention spans, it’s right near the end.
The benefits of wealth
My supply of Christmas socks is dwindling. I love new socks. If I were a millionaire, that would be my one rich man extravagence; I would put on a brand new pair of socks every day, and throw out the old ones. That would be my only eccentricity. The other things, like the vineyard, petting zoo, and monkeys trained to ride bicycles wouldn’t be eccentricities, they’d be necessities. There’s a difference, and once you figure it out, you’re free to come over to my house and pet the goats. Bring socks.
The benefits of super powers
As I was getting on the elevator at work the other day, I was watching the guy fill the ATM. There was a giant pile of money there, and it occurred to me that if I had super powers like Plasticman, I could shoot my hand across the hall and grab the money and yank it back in just as the door closed.Then it occurred to me that if I did that, I’d become a supervillain, not a superhero. I didn’t like that.
You see, my powers can only be used for good.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Let’s consider the Wunderkammer.
The Wunderkammer, or Cabinet of Curiosities, was big in the Renaissance. It was, in essence, a cabinet containing a collection of things that people would be interested in. They weren’t always cabinets - sometimes they were whole rooms.
For the most part, they were the personal collections of the nobility, the academics, or the very wealthy. The average person had neither the space, nor the connections, nor the disposable income to acquire enough of a collection.
So what was in a Cabinet of Curiosities? Anything, really - anything that attempted to capture the wonder of the natural world, or of historical or religious significance. It also included personal art collections – paintings, sculptures and the like.
The biggest ones were primarily a collection of preserved animals and skeletons, fossils and other preserved things. At this early era of scientific exploration, the supernatural and mythological boundaries of science were vague, and many cabinets contained items such as “unicorn horns” and evidence of other supernatural beasties.
The cabinets as they once were don’t really exist; they’ve become museums. The nature of the collections have changed as well; they’ve been broken up, divided and sent to their respective “places”. The animals are now at the museums of natural history, the art is at the art museums and so it goes.
In general, it’s better for the common good. These collections are laid out, clearly labeled, and placed for the whole world to see. Still, I can’t help but think that some of the wonder has gone away. Is it time for the personal wunderkammer to make a comeback?
Your Assignment
Consider this: you are setting out to create your own cabinet of curiosities. It can be a cabinet, or a room in your house. It’s a place to assemble all the items of wonder that you’d like to show off to a visitor. This includes your personal collections, things you take pride in and things you think people should know about.
What would be in there?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Something Old, Something New
Friday night was an awesome visit out to A-squared to connect with a few very special people, known in this forum as Zilla and Writer Mom. We had a few drinks, and caught up a bit. (More on this meeting is here).
Saturday was on of those days that made me feel like I was in college again. We met up with a bunch of fellow Broncos at a local sports bar (the one a few doors down from the previously mentioned transvestite boutique) to have some beer and chicken wings, and to watch the Broncos play in their first bowl game for the first since the mid-1600s.
We watched the Broncos get beat down and have their asses handed to them, then watched them rally to bring it back to three-point game, only to blow it in the final seconds by missing the field goal that would have taken it to overtime.
After the game, several of us went back to our house for one of those lost Saturdays that were the norm in college. At that point, 9 hours of beer, pizza, video games and bonfires ensued. The day was thoroughly wasted; I can't think of a better way to do it.
Sunday was date day. The DIA was packed; it was the last day of the Annie Leibowitz exhibit, and tickets quickly sold out.
It was a beautiful exhibit of her photos of American musicians, including blues masters, country musicians, rappers, rockers, gospel singers and a few others thrown in.
Leibowitz has a knack for knowing the perfect picture; so many of her photos were taken before or after the actual shoot, when the moment was perfect. It was beautiful.
There was a room of Detroit musicians as well. There were unbelievably powerful pictures of Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, John Lee Hooker and a few more musicians with Detroit connections.
Then the show closed with the White Stripes. The photo didn't belong in the show at all. It was a goofy promotional photo from a Rolling Stone shoot I think. Whereas all her other images seemed to capture her subjects in private moments, when they were being themselves, this photo broke up the flow of the show. I can't help but think the folks at the DIA said, "Oh no, if you're doing this show, you simply must have a picture of the White Stripes!" It didn't fit, and it didn't belong.
After this thoroughly perfect weekend that made me feel all young and stuff, I had to wreck it by a.) smacking my hand of the dresser in the bedroom, messing up my wrist enough to wear an ace bandage for a few days, and b.) going to the dentist and finding out that an old filling has cracked and needs to be replaced with a crown.
I'm falling apart, and I don't feel as young today as I did this weekend.
Saturday was on of those days that made me feel like I was in college again. We met up with a bunch of fellow Broncos at a local sports bar (the one a few doors down from the previously mentioned transvestite boutique) to have some beer and chicken wings, and to watch the Broncos play in their first bowl game for the first since the mid-1600s.
We watched the Broncos get beat down and have their asses handed to them, then watched them rally to bring it back to three-point game, only to blow it in the final seconds by missing the field goal that would have taken it to overtime.
After the game, several of us went back to our house for one of those lost Saturdays that were the norm in college. At that point, 9 hours of beer, pizza, video games and bonfires ensued. The day was thoroughly wasted; I can't think of a better way to do it.
Sunday was date day. The DIA was packed; it was the last day of the Annie Leibowitz exhibit, and tickets quickly sold out.
It was a beautiful exhibit of her photos of American musicians, including blues masters, country musicians, rappers, rockers, gospel singers and a few others thrown in.
Leibowitz has a knack for knowing the perfect picture; so many of her photos were taken before or after the actual shoot, when the moment was perfect. It was beautiful.
There was a room of Detroit musicians as well. There were unbelievably powerful pictures of Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, John Lee Hooker and a few more musicians with Detroit connections.
Then the show closed with the White Stripes. The photo didn't belong in the show at all. It was a goofy promotional photo from a Rolling Stone shoot I think. Whereas all her other images seemed to capture her subjects in private moments, when they were being themselves, this photo broke up the flow of the show. I can't help but think the folks at the DIA said, "Oh no, if you're doing this show, you simply must have a picture of the White Stripes!" It didn't fit, and it didn't belong.
After this thoroughly perfect weekend that made me feel all young and stuff, I had to wreck it by a.) smacking my hand of the dresser in the bedroom, messing up my wrist enough to wear an ace bandage for a few days, and b.) going to the dentist and finding out that an old filling has cracked and needs to be replaced with a crown.
I'm falling apart, and I don't feel as young today as I did this weekend.
Monday, January 08, 2007
The Accademia Treatment
(This was supposed to post Saturday... rather than work to update. I'm shooting it up now to buy time...)
In Florence, there are two primary galleries. The Uffizi, which I mentioned here, and the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze. Both are known for lines that can stretch for hours, so we were encouraged to book our tickets in advance.
The guidebook gave me a number for a touchtone ticket reservation service in Italy. Due to the time difference, I got up at 7 in the A.M. and called the service first thing. After I made my way through the menus, I was transferred to an Italian customer service rep. The guide had assured me that the service was automated and in English. I hadn't spoken a single word to anyone yet that day, in any language, so the rep was greeted by my clearing my throat, and sleepily saying something that translates as "I would like... tickets... two tickets... museums... please thank you." She said something unintelligible, then there was hold music, and I was greeted by the voice of a cheerful British woman who took me through the process.
We were planning on a day of galleries, so the Accademia was booked for 8:30 AM, when it opened, and the Uffizi for noon.
We got to the Accademia at 8:15, and there was nobody there. We stood in front of the door until they opened it, and walked in.
We were treated to this:
Words can't describe how this statue is so massive and lifelike. The veins on the back of the hand, the muscles in the legs. Michelangelo was truly a master.
And we had it all to ourselves. Breakfast with David. We stood there for quite some time. Within a half hour, the place was packed, but for a few minutes, it belonged to just us.
We've taken to calling that the Accademia Treatment. On Sunday, we're going to the DIA for the Annie Leibowitz exhibit. I booked our tickets for right when the museum opens, hoping we'll get the Accademia Treatment again. Then, as we do on our museum date days, we'll go to a restaurant, get some food and a bottle of wine, and talk about art. Somewhere along the way, we'll solve the world's problems too. That's our system, and it seems to work.
In Florence, there are two primary galleries. The Uffizi, which I mentioned here, and the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze. Both are known for lines that can stretch for hours, so we were encouraged to book our tickets in advance.
The guidebook gave me a number for a touchtone ticket reservation service in Italy. Due to the time difference, I got up at 7 in the A.M. and called the service first thing. After I made my way through the menus, I was transferred to an Italian customer service rep. The guide had assured me that the service was automated and in English. I hadn't spoken a single word to anyone yet that day, in any language, so the rep was greeted by my clearing my throat, and sleepily saying something that translates as "I would like... tickets... two tickets... museums... please thank you." She said something unintelligible, then there was hold music, and I was greeted by the voice of a cheerful British woman who took me through the process.
We were planning on a day of galleries, so the Accademia was booked for 8:30 AM, when it opened, and the Uffizi for noon.
We got to the Accademia at 8:15, and there was nobody there. We stood in front of the door until they opened it, and walked in.
We were treated to this:
Words can't describe how this statue is so massive and lifelike. The veins on the back of the hand, the muscles in the legs. Michelangelo was truly a master.
And we had it all to ourselves. Breakfast with David. We stood there for quite some time. Within a half hour, the place was packed, but for a few minutes, it belonged to just us.
We've taken to calling that the Accademia Treatment. On Sunday, we're going to the DIA for the Annie Leibowitz exhibit. I booked our tickets for right when the museum opens, hoping we'll get the Accademia Treatment again. Then, as we do on our museum date days, we'll go to a restaurant, get some food and a bottle of wine, and talk about art. Somewhere along the way, we'll solve the world's problems too. That's our system, and it seems to work.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Florence, As seen from Il Duomo
Far away
This ship is taking me far away
Far away from the memories
Of the people who care if I live or die.
-Muse "Starlight"
That's one of my favorite songs right now (You can here it here), and while we were in Italy, that verse was absolutely perfect. Couple that with the fact that it was a song that popped up all over the place while we were there, and it becomes the theme for the trip.
Music bridges a lot of barriers. One day in Florence, we were wandering the streets (as we are prone to do whether or not we're on vacation; it's the Gypsy in me, I guess). It was a cool morning, and the Florence marathon was going on. We had just cheered on the leading hand cyclists as they roared by on the cobblestones, and ducked into a cafe for an espresso and a panini.
I stumbed my way through the order, starting with my traditional opening phrase, "Mi dispiace, parlo pochissimo di italiano." This is a very rough, grammatically incorrect way of saying, "I'm sorry, I only speak a little Italian." It always got the point across, though, and bought me patience from shopkeepers, concierges, deli workers and the like.
After we sat at the table (which costs more than standing at the bar, but is worth it when you're walking all day), "Starlight" came on the radio. I was absentmindedly singing along, relishing that verse, when I looked up and made eye contact with the barista. She was singing along as well. We smiled at one another, we were both Muse fans and music fans.
This ship is taking me far away
Far away from the memories
Of the people who care if I live or die.
-Muse "Starlight"
That's one of my favorite songs right now (You can here it here), and while we were in Italy, that verse was absolutely perfect. Couple that with the fact that it was a song that popped up all over the place while we were there, and it becomes the theme for the trip.
Music bridges a lot of barriers. One day in Florence, we were wandering the streets (as we are prone to do whether or not we're on vacation; it's the Gypsy in me, I guess). It was a cool morning, and the Florence marathon was going on. We had just cheered on the leading hand cyclists as they roared by on the cobblestones, and ducked into a cafe for an espresso and a panini.
I stumbed my way through the order, starting with my traditional opening phrase, "Mi dispiace, parlo pochissimo di italiano." This is a very rough, grammatically incorrect way of saying, "I'm sorry, I only speak a little Italian." It always got the point across, though, and bought me patience from shopkeepers, concierges, deli workers and the like.
After we sat at the table (which costs more than standing at the bar, but is worth it when you're walking all day), "Starlight" came on the radio. I was absentmindedly singing along, relishing that verse, when I looked up and made eye contact with the barista. She was singing along as well. We smiled at one another, we were both Muse fans and music fans.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
It takes all kinds...
It's even better than when I saw Jackass 2 on opening night... tonight I'm seeing it at the Brew and View!
I am more than slightly stoked about that one.
I am a big Johnny Knoxville fan, so much so I caught the Dukes of Hazard last night, and I am embarrassed to admit that I enjoyed it thoroughly - at least the car chases and crashes, which was a decent portion of the film. (Although, in my defense, I was running a fever and massively doped up on cold medicine. That may have played a major role.) There was a definite Blues Brother homage going on. If you happen to catch it, make sure to miss about the first hour, though. It's better that way.
I still haven't shaken the disease that wages war on my frail frame, but that won't stop me from attending the Brew and View tonight. No sir. It may limit my consumption of the brew portion, though. We'll see.
There's some weirdness going on in my town. I'm not referring to the car horn that mysteriously went off on my street for about 10 minutes last night, although that was rather annoying. No, I'm talking about the guy who may be going to prison for life because he likes to have sex with mannequins.
Ferndale is a very liberal town; we have a thriving art community, a large gay population (and a recently passed human rights ordinance preventing discrimination against said population), we even have a boutique for transvestites, right by the local sports bar. So, a guy with a thing for mannequins wouldn't normally cause too much of a stir.
This guy is looking at life imprisonment because he's too cheap to buy his own mannequins. He has a history of stealing other people's from their stores:
I am more than slightly stoked about that one.
I am a big Johnny Knoxville fan, so much so I caught the Dukes of Hazard last night, and I am embarrassed to admit that I enjoyed it thoroughly - at least the car chases and crashes, which was a decent portion of the film. (Although, in my defense, I was running a fever and massively doped up on cold medicine. That may have played a major role.) There was a definite Blues Brother homage going on. If you happen to catch it, make sure to miss about the first hour, though. It's better that way.
I still haven't shaken the disease that wages war on my frail frame, but that won't stop me from attending the Brew and View tonight. No sir. It may limit my consumption of the brew portion, though. We'll see.
There's some weirdness going on in my town. I'm not referring to the car horn that mysteriously went off on my street for about 10 minutes last night, although that was rather annoying. No, I'm talking about the guy who may be going to prison for life because he likes to have sex with mannequins.
Ferndale is a very liberal town; we have a thriving art community, a large gay population (and a recently passed human rights ordinance preventing discrimination against said population), we even have a boutique for transvestites, right by the local sports bar. So, a guy with a thing for mannequins wouldn't normally cause too much of a stir.
This guy is looking at life imprisonment because he's too cheap to buy his own mannequins. He has a history of stealing other people's from their stores:
Dotson was arrested Oct. 9 after police say he smashed a window at a cleaning-supply company to get at a female mannequin dressed in a black and white French maid's uniform. He had been out of prison for less than a week.
Dotson was arrested in Ferndale in July 2000 and later convicted for breaking and entering at a women's clothing shop to get at a mannequin in a pink dress with bobbed hair.
Ferndale police also arrested Dotson in 1993 after finding him in an alley behind a woman's store with three lingerie-clad mannequins. He also has similar convictions in Detroit and suburban Oak Park. Story
It's too bad really. If the guy could have kept it on the down low, and purchased and partied with his own dummies, nobody would have known or cared. Instead he had to do this, and make a bad name for the many dummy-lovers who are probably out there, not hurting anyone, doing it quietly in the privacy of their own homes.
For the record, I am being proactive in case this incriminating photo shows up after I report on this story (and because ST hates it so much), this photo of ST and I with a mannequin is unrelated. She remains unmolested to the best of our knowledge...
Also, did you hear about the UFO that buzzed O'Hare? The FAA is dismissing that one, but I'm not so sure. Something was there, a bunch of people saw it. I don't know, what do you think? Could this explain lost luggage? Or the reasoning behind the fact that Delta Airlines charges you for drinks on their international flights!?!?! Take that, Delta, you cheap-asses!
Sorry, that's the cold medicine talking...
And because I'm feeling silly today, here are some silly signs from Italy...
Ummm... this guy is walking, not climbing...
Falling down the stairs area...
Run to the exit!
NO!
This one is... well you get it.
Heh heh, this one is just funny...
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Out with the cold, in with the flu...
How does that work? The way you start the New Year is the way you'll finish it?
I hope not.
Don't get me wrong, my New Year's celebration was very pleasant and very laid back. It took place at a cottage up north. There were loved ones around, a bit of bowling at a local dive down the street, followed by beer and champagne and hugs and kisses at midnight.
But it was also marred by illness. (Isn't "marred" a great word?)
Nicole was laid pretty low by a wicked cold, and I was just starting in that direction. It's really hitting me today.
So, here's to hoping that the rest of my year will be happy and healthy.
And I hope yours is, too…
And now, as I wax nostalgic for the joys of last year, a bit more Italy:
Trattoria ZaZa
As a rule, Nicole and I do not eat at the same place twice while on vacation. Trattoria ZaZa is the one exception we've made. Pasta with wild boar sauce, steak in truffle sauce, hearty peasant-style soups. It just had to be done twice.
And to eat outside in an ancient square, in November! Truly perfect.
Plus you couldn't beat our dining companions. Very friendly.
This guy was playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"…
Another wonderful experience in Florence was The Café' Perseo. It sat in the Piazza della Signoria.
This statue of Perseo (Perseus) beheading the Medusa sat across the way. Perseus is one of Nicole's all-time favorite classic heroes. Hence, "Clash of the Titans" is one of her all-time favorite moves.
Anyway, this square has so much history. It's where the original David stood (there's now a "fake David" there, the original is in the Academia). And this sculpture garden still stands there, with beautiful statues, like Perseus, and this one.
The musculature and the curves… it just amazes me.
This square is also where Savonarola was burned at the stake.
Savonarola was one of the worst villains in Italian history, in my opinion. He basically attempted to destroy the Renaissance, and was the primary force behind the Bonfire of the Vanities, which lead to the destruction of countless beautiful pieces of art.
Botticelli himself burned many of his own pieces. I don't know whether he was brainwashed by Savonarola's movement or simply wanted to ensure he had a future career painting "properly respectful" religious imagery, but it was emblematic of this dark period in Italian history.
And as we sat in the Café Perseo, drinking a bottle of wine, taking all of this in, we occasionally would look over to where a simple plaque in the cobblestones shows where he was publicly executed, and say "Take that, Savonarola."
It's interesting, to know that there always have been, and always will be, religious zealots who want to inflict their own personal crusade upon everyone else's lives, whether it be bans on art or finding other ways to subject people to their own personal moralities, no matter how distorted, displaced or downright sick they may be.
And yes, if I was a bit vague, I was referring to our present government there. I do believe that, allowed to run unchecked, Dubya and his Evangelical buddies would have no qualms about a modern day bonfire of the vanities. Although in addition to your personal secular works of art, you'd also see your rights to privacy and reproductive freedoms burnt in the piazza, as well as many other things you consider inalienable rights.
But I digress. I'm good at that.
On another digression, Nicole and I signed up for Iceman again this year. Registration only opened yesterday, and yesterday afternoon, when I went to sign up, there were already 1,000 people registered. As of 6:30 pm today, 1,990 are registered; it will be full in moments now.
The first year I did Iceman, it didn't fill up until May. So, suffice it to say it's popularity is increasing.
I hope not.
Don't get me wrong, my New Year's celebration was very pleasant and very laid back. It took place at a cottage up north. There were loved ones around, a bit of bowling at a local dive down the street, followed by beer and champagne and hugs and kisses at midnight.
But it was also marred by illness. (Isn't "marred" a great word?)
Nicole was laid pretty low by a wicked cold, and I was just starting in that direction. It's really hitting me today.
So, here's to hoping that the rest of my year will be happy and healthy.
And I hope yours is, too…
And now, as I wax nostalgic for the joys of last year, a bit more Italy:
Trattoria ZaZa
As a rule, Nicole and I do not eat at the same place twice while on vacation. Trattoria ZaZa is the one exception we've made. Pasta with wild boar sauce, steak in truffle sauce, hearty peasant-style soups. It just had to be done twice.
And to eat outside in an ancient square, in November! Truly perfect.
Plus you couldn't beat our dining companions. Very friendly.
This guy was playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"…
Another wonderful experience in Florence was The Café' Perseo. It sat in the Piazza della Signoria.
This statue of Perseo (Perseus) beheading the Medusa sat across the way. Perseus is one of Nicole's all-time favorite classic heroes. Hence, "Clash of the Titans" is one of her all-time favorite moves.
Anyway, this square has so much history. It's where the original David stood (there's now a "fake David" there, the original is in the Academia). And this sculpture garden still stands there, with beautiful statues, like Perseus, and this one.
The musculature and the curves… it just amazes me.
This square is also where Savonarola was burned at the stake.
Savonarola was one of the worst villains in Italian history, in my opinion. He basically attempted to destroy the Renaissance, and was the primary force behind the Bonfire of the Vanities, which lead to the destruction of countless beautiful pieces of art.
Botticelli himself burned many of his own pieces. I don't know whether he was brainwashed by Savonarola's movement or simply wanted to ensure he had a future career painting "properly respectful" religious imagery, but it was emblematic of this dark period in Italian history.
And as we sat in the Café Perseo, drinking a bottle of wine, taking all of this in, we occasionally would look over to where a simple plaque in the cobblestones shows where he was publicly executed, and say "Take that, Savonarola."
It's interesting, to know that there always have been, and always will be, religious zealots who want to inflict their own personal crusade upon everyone else's lives, whether it be bans on art or finding other ways to subject people to their own personal moralities, no matter how distorted, displaced or downright sick they may be.
And yes, if I was a bit vague, I was referring to our present government there. I do believe that, allowed to run unchecked, Dubya and his Evangelical buddies would have no qualms about a modern day bonfire of the vanities. Although in addition to your personal secular works of art, you'd also see your rights to privacy and reproductive freedoms burnt in the piazza, as well as many other things you consider inalienable rights.
But I digress. I'm good at that.
On another digression, Nicole and I signed up for Iceman again this year. Registration only opened yesterday, and yesterday afternoon, when I went to sign up, there were already 1,000 people registered. As of 6:30 pm today, 1,990 are registered; it will be full in moments now.
The first year I did Iceman, it didn't fill up until May. So, suffice it to say it's popularity is increasing.
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