Give me one more, dudes, and then we'll go for the triple crown. Just watch.

PNW

2008-06-15T17:06:00.005-05:00

In the Pac NW this weekend as something was going on Saturday that was worth my presence.

This is actually Bellevue, WA, the largest Seattle suburb on "Eastside" (east of Lake Washington). An uberplanned community, but I can walk around it from my hotel so it's not so bad.

At night I met up with my old buddy Ginger and some of her Microsoft co-workers. We went to a bar in Capitol Hill

Must be a Hillary supporter. Har har.

Some of the best afterhours pizza I've ever had

And wrapped up the evening/morning watching Microsoft employees play DDR. Alright.

Did the "Nacho Ride" after all

2008-05-20T22:00:00.005-05:00

We had thought about doing the brand new Tuesday Night Nacho Ride to the One Eyed Dog in Eagle, but at 4:30 when it seemed as though it'd be just Jonn and me, and he was feeling tired, we figured we'd just ride the Jamaica or something. Butch decided to join us, and we figured we'd do the MoPac instead . . . next thing we know we're past Walton, and figured what the hell, let's keep going.

Rolling into Eagle

One of two quads we saw in town (apparently the orange flag makes it street legal)

Feasted on 75 cent tacos and some decent butterfinger cheesecake before putting the hammer down on the way back.

Not quite the same as the Wabash Trail Taco Ride (there were maybe 25 cyclists at the One Eyed Dog), but a good time (and not having to drive to Counciltucky is a plus).

Subtle

2008-05-14T21:58:00.005-05:00

I'm in Colorado for work this week, which is pretty damn convenient as Subtle (see link at right) was playing the Bluebird Theatre in Denver Tuesday night.

I can't really describe this band any better than myspace can, aside from that they're an alt-electro-hiphop ensemble of five white guys (there is technically one black guy in the group, but he was paralyzed in a tour van accident a couple years back and no longer tours), and one of them solely plays the electric cello.
I first got into them when I saw them open for TV on the Radio in KC last March. They're different and therefore kind of a grower, but they're one of my favorite bands in music today.

Beforehand I got a chance to get in a five-minute conversation with Adam aka Doseone, the frontman, who's a heck of a showman on stage. Really rad guy.

Video from one of their shows last year, for context.

Taco (catfish) Ride

2008-05-09T00:26:00.010-05:00

I had long heard about the Thursday night Taco Ride, but this was my first -- and definitely not my last, as it was epic. That said, the hour drive out kind of sucks, so hopefully the new Nacho Ride on the MoPac to Eagle will pick up some steam.

20-mile round trip from just south of Counciltucky to the fine hamlet of Mineola, IA on the Wabash Trail.

Six of us headed out with courage in our hearts and Fat Tire in our bags.

Yanni (sp?) and Jonn in the first mile of the ride south

Jordan, Yanni and Jonn at refueling stop #1, at the top of a hill off one of the side trails

The 1554 is one of my favorites -- probably not the best choice for this, though. Fortunately I had a High Life at the halfway-point picnic area dubbed "Margaritaville" about 20 minutes later

We arrive in Mineola only to realize we had gone back in time. Or forward.

I couldn't begin to estimate how many riders participate in this thing, aside from "several hundred." A full variety of skill levels as well.

This place was great (and, goddamn, they must rake it in on these nights). While most of the group opted for the traditional fare, I had eaten Oso for lunch so got catfish on a whim, which was excellent. They had your typical small town salad bar, complete with that pistachio marshmellow dessert I hadn't seen in forever

A great, great idea.

I'm fucking beat, so I'll stop posting pictures of Jonn now

DUCKIES

2008-05-04T14:54:00.002-05:00

Rode by these guys on the Williamsburg Trail.

Fuck you, ducks and ducklings are awesome.

Why Puget Sound rules (except Tacoma, that town sucks)

2008-05-04T14:51:00.001-05:00

Water ---> Green Stuff ---> Snow-capped mountains, all within ~100 miles.

Farewell to this jackass

2008-04-27T21:12:00.004-05:00

The first of (at least, hopefully at most) three friends of mine who will escape Nebraska in coming months, Nick is off to Tahoe in the pursuit of non-NL employment. Plus it's freaking Tahoe.

Take some photos on the ride out

OOOOOHH NOOO

2008-04-25T19:02:00.003-05:00

In honor of this weekend's NFL Draft. . .

J-E-T-S
JETS JETS JETS

My place isn't that great for riding.

2008-04-19T02:59:00.005-05:00

Too many bad angles for the Cross-Check to handle.

I don't know how Chris timed this, but good job catching Andy's . . . uh, rant.

FFL

2008-04-16T11:29:00.004-05:00

Senor CVO was kind enough to grant me contributor status to the Folks From Lincoln blog, a mix of local bicycle shenanigans and other goings-on.

I probably won't post anything else there without a good reason. That being said, check it.

http://jedionabike.blogspot.com/

The part of town that is down

2008-04-14T13:47:00.004-05:00

A new business of some sort is going into the space next to the Rococo Theatre entrance (used to be a jewelry store, I think). Looks trendy. Don't know what it is. I supposed I could've asked one of the painters working inside, but why would I do that? It's not like I'm paid to ask people questions or anything.

On a side note, the businesses that occupied the building formally used by Homers (a generic coffee shop and generic sandwich shop) have failed. Shock and/or awe.

Hey, free market and all, but if you're stupid enough to open either a sandwich or coffee (especially the former) shop in that space, you deserve to fail.

Two Song

2008-04-13T08:22:00.009-05:00

Random images from Tucson

Trash can constructed from old forks. There are several made from bicycle parts.

Saguaro National Park. If you look into the distance you can see the Tucson skyline.

A purple cactus? Wacky!

A middle-aged couple rolling through on a tandem. This place was pretty hilly, so props to them

Durrrrrr

Har har.

2008-04-07T10:52:00.003-05:00

Chris and I 'cycled out to the 70 & Van Dorn Russ's to get supplies for Irish Beef Stew, and saw Hallmark's not-so-well-thought-out ad campaign for Moms Day.

Only a month left, guys; don't forget to rock your mom. Or maybe I will.

The Pride of Flagstaff

2008-03-30T22:33:00.002-05:00

I don't have a lot of traditions or rituals, but every time I'm in Flagstaff I stop at the Route 66 Hot Dog Haus.

Why? An all-beef hot dog on a pretzel dough bun, dammit.

Rock that Klein

2008-03-18T22:05:00.003-05:00

And for no reason whatsoever, here's a shot of Jonn's backside. We rode to Best Buy to acquire consumer electronics.

My second (or sixth) home

2008-03-18T21:58:00.002-05:00

Returning from a one-night jaunt to Portland/Seattle. Been here about four hours now. Denver Int'l is one of the best airports in the USA, though, and the "business" (see: free internet) center is relatively calm.

Not pictured is the uber-emo coffee shack named "Cutter's Point Coffee" I saw in Olympia this morning.

BNSF

2008-03-16T05:32:00.002-05:00

Was returning from a quick pre-Sunset ride on the Bison last night and was about 20' away from the RR crossing on South Street when the gates came down. The conductor had the horn held down for a good 15 seconds straight as they traversed the crossing (and passed me) which, if I recall, isn't kosher, and I probably lost a few frequencies in my head. Thanks guys.

First new Portishead this millennium

2008-03-14T07:56:00.002-05:00

I enjoy Portishead, although it certainly doesn't hit the right note for every occasion. They're releasing their first new album in like a decade April 29.

I'm sure it's leaked somewhere, but I've never bothered with that stuff. That being said, somebody posted one of the songs on YouTube.

Bringing it back, 9 months later.

2008-03-12T22:04:00.008-05:00

I stopped updating this because not a whole lot had been going on.

Still not a whole lot going on. Screw it.

Still traveling to all those places for work, plus the Front Range in CO and WY (As I type this from a hotel room in Loveland, near Fort Collins). Developed a general sense of complacency with my job; traveling is now as commonplace as breathing.

Still live with Chris and Jenna in a fine townhouse with proximity to Open Harvest, a crappy sports bar, and my office.

Still a supporter of Obama; still loathe Hillary. I won't get into that here; there are only 7 trillion other blogs for people to feel self-important with regard to the election.

Now for some images of the past nine months

Forslund returned from deep dark Africa. Tony got engaged. I got a new ride:

Being friends of Jonn, Tony et. al., and desire to use my car as little as possible finally lead to me making a investment in a new bicycle. I had been interested in getting a Cross-Check for a while, and about three weeks later it has only exceeded my expectations. I can't get enough of it and wish I could (safely) bring it with me on my work travels.

Good: beer. Bad: Shaving.

And I can make some pretty rad salsa, accomplished by roasting the ingredients seen below. Yeah. Homemade salsa. I roll hard.

OK, look for a new post sometime in 2009.

Portland.

2007-06-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

Can't say I've ever opened a hotel drawer to find this combination before.

Art is for pretentious ninnies

2007-06-12T21:53:00.000-05:00

Rather than spend money on generic prints or resort to the sweet framed photos of chicks on semi trucks I bought at Bag N Save, Jenna and I decided to make our own. Oh dear god. We were joined by the adorable Sarah Schroeder in this endeavor, might I add.

First we have Sarah's creation. I commented that it looked like something you could buy in Target's dorm room section, but I meant it in a good way:

Jenna did this one. She has actual talent that comes with taking classes for this sort of thing:

Then we have this BITCHIN' tree I did. Basically I just really like blue and green - globes, maps, etc. A tree is green. The sky is blue. Connect the dots:

Then I reverted back to my usual cynical self, and did. . . this:

Suggestions Needed for New Compound nickname.

2007-06-12T21:41:00.000-05:00

As of July, the News Link Compound will be no more - Shannon is moving to Chi-Town, Cathy's going her own direction, and the house is one or two cracks away from condemnation. It's been fun, but alas, it's time for new digs. So. . .

THE SETTING:

Roughly 5 blocks from my current residence; within a block and a half of both a generic and hippie grocery store, coffee house and porn shop.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Thew, your fearless leader (sans beard, at least currently):

Christopher Schacht, AKA Chris AKA Schacht, who will be attending the prestigious UNL College O' Law because he has nothing better to do:

Jenna, who was basically in the right place in the right time, will keep Chris and I in check when it comes to all the girls neither of us will be bringing home:

Stay tuned.

While I'm at it, here are some from the Columbia River Gorge

2007-06-02T19:35:00.000-05:00

I'm killing time at the airport in Phoenix and figured I'd post some more.

These are from the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. I've driven back and forth through it four times now and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

Just east of The Dalles, OR on the Old Columbia River Highway. Lots of winding around and stuff. That's I-84 down there:

A town in Washington (not sure which):

I spent a couple of hours on the bank of the river taking photos of a rail gang repairing this line of track. The railroad is big on preventing "slip, trip and fall" injuries, and this kind of puts it into perspective, as walking back and forth across the ballast wasn't exactly easy, and well, yeah:

I took this one on my first trip out there back in March. Cloudy but still kickin' rad:

Multnomah Falls. I believe it's the 2nd tallest year-round waterfall in the USA (no idea what #1 is):

The Sand IS WHITE

2007-06-02T19:19:00.000-05:00

I suppose this is worth posting.

Thursday evening, after wrapping up my job responsibilities in Belen, New Mexico, I decided to take a detour on my way to El Paso and visit White Sands National Monument. There were a ton of people there - not sure if it's usually that way this time of year or the fact that there was a full moon that night, or perhaps because there's nothing else to do in the vicinity of Alamogordo. . .

At any rate, I used my work camera, a Canon Rebel XT, to take some shots as the sun went down:

I'm HUGE (!!!):

Yucca:

A couple of the better landscape shots I took:

Abusing the camera's timer setting to recreate the cover of 'The Gods Must Be Crazy'

Full moon rising. Wish I had a tighter lens:

Three months later

2007-05-05T14:56:00.000-05:00

If anyone is still checking this. . . wow.

On that note, Cornbread, these are for you.

He has my sword.

2007-02-10T16:44:00.000-06:00

“I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness in this — a certain audacity — to this announcement. I know that I haven’t spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I’ve been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.”

GObama!

Wow, I should get the rights to that quick

How about a dulcimer?

2007-02-05T22:23:00.000-06:00

Andrew Bird, whom I firmly believe is the best young/living singer/songwriter/whistler in music today (to hell with Surf-Yan Whats-His-Name; and you all know deep down that Oberst just plain sucks), did a guess spot as "Dr. Stringz" on some kid's puppet show.

Epic.

When he says "I've got more stringed instruments to fix" at the end his delivery seems to imply he just then realized what he was doing. Either way, good for him.

New album out March 20. I'm betting now it'll be in my top 3 of 2007

Because Jonn told me to and because I have something worth posting

2007-01-29T12:43:00.000-06:00

So my boss pulled me in his office last week and asked me if I'd be OK changing territories. The reasons for this:

1) I've established a decent amount of consistency amongst our clients in Texas and Louisiana
2) Some of our clients have lacked said consistency.

On that note, I'll be making two more trips to Texas (although I may still go to Houston like four times a year for a meeting). The first is to San Antonio, meaning it may be the last time I see Austin for awhile. That's one of the big, if not biggest downfall to all this.

Then I get to go down there with Niles, the dude who will hopefully succeed me (anyone know Niles? I know people who know him at any rate).

So what areas of the country will I be taking over? Well, here are the major metropolitan areas:

Seattle

Portland, AKA the International Hub of Underachievement

Phoenix

Albuquerque

Also: Tucson, El Paso, Spokane and Eugene, Ore.

So yeah. Looking forward to talking to folks with a different mentality, although the adjustment's going to be kind of rough. Oh well; it's not as though I really have a life outside of work anyway so s'all good.

I can rent a car for less money now

2006-12-17T10:55:00.000-06:00

Random photos from a small gathering on my 25th birthday.

I take credit for introducing Sarah B. to cider. Too bad she'll grow tired of it within five months, as is the case with everyone.

I on the other hand was drinking something from Belgium that came in a freakin' goblet. Sarah S. looks... yeah I don't know.

Shannon und Lisa

Willa (she blinks a lot in photos), Dominique (was sick but still came, the trooper), and Cathy

Will, one of the few cool male employees at work, and his fiance, Lacey

What? It's beer from El Salvador. Piss off.

Why have I ever given a dollar to this business

2006-12-05T21:08:00.000-06:00

From back when the Burger King was actually a scary human being, as opposed to a scary human being in a scary mask.

I apologize for the nightmares.

Jonn updated his; I'd better fall in line

2006-11-22T16:27:00.000-06:00

Nothing has happened of note since October 11.

Alright, here's some Halloween photos (I was in Austin with Tenspeed).

I really wanted to find one of those goofy Euro-ties that are like a scarf you wear inside a shirt, but I was unsuccessful in that venture - and believe me, I tried.

So my first idea was to utilize my own supplies and go as, um, one of THESE guys:

But that seemed kind of weak, so ultimately I decided to use Justin's costume from last year - A Team Zissou crewman:

I wanted a clear shot of Justin's neck - he wrote on it with pen in an attempt to be that guy who was on Project: Runway or whatever. With him is Lincoln expat Matt R., who went as Floyd Landis but kept getting called Lance Armstrong. Philistines.

Dominique Garay

2006-10-11T11:38:00.000-05:00

I know this guy through my co-worker Willa, to whom he is engaged. Heck of a poet and an all-around nice guy; not pretentious at all.

He's in the running to appear on an HBO program, so vote for him: http://www.blastro.com/spokenwordbattle

His myspace (some of his other stuff is on there, I highly recommend the YouTube video): http://www.myspace.com/darcpoet

Biggest highlight of my life since I found the Ghostbusters building in New York

2006-09-28T17:55:00.000-05:00

I'm staying at a hotel in a planned community in Irving, Texas (between Dallas and Fort Worth) known as Los Colinas.

As I drove here, I wondered "Where the hell have I heard Los Colinas before... Los Colinas... Los Colinas..."

Got to my hotel and got on wikipedia and found this:

"Many people will recognize Las Colinas as referenced by Lawrence (of Office Space fame), who awoke early in the morning to erect the drywall at the new McDonald's."

Hole-E Shit.

EDIT: I guess the majority of Office Space was filmed in Austin. Still.

The most relaxing waste of time ever

2006-09-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

http://www.trevorvanmeter.com/flyguy/flyGuy.swf

All you do is fly around, escaping copy machines, cell phones, etc. I think the music is what does it.

The best album of 2006, finally released

2006-09-13T22:58:00.000-05:00

Although it leaked back in February, TV on the Radio's second LP, Return to Cookie Mountain, was released in the USA on the 12th.

If you know me, I've been verbally fellating this album for months. It's a bit more accessible than their earlier stuff (although that's great too), but still takes a while to grow on you. Heck, I wasn't much into the band when I first heard 'Staring at the Sun' and now they're up there with Pinback and Radiohead as my favorite bands of all time.

And I'll say it for the 23892nd time: 'Wolf Like Me' is the best single of the last five years.

And although I hate to cite various music critics to back up my opinions, etc...

"The disc might be the most oddly beautiful, psychedlic and ambitious of the year...Consider your mind blown."
-Rolling Stone (4.5 out of 5 stars)

"The latest experiment from TV on the Radio goes horribly right."
-Entertainment Weekly (A-)
"A punk gospel uplift that's often profoundly moving. There's an old saying that agitators play music because they like the noise it makes. TV on the Radio play noise because they like the music it makes."
-Spin

"This album has such an incredible pull: It doesn't make an atmosphere so much as a space to spend time in, and Adebimpe doesn't become a narrator so much as a witness."
-Pitchfork (9.1 out of 10)

"Anyone who spouts the perennial music is dead argument need only look to TV on the Radio for proof otherwise. Give up now, guys, because it rarely gets better than this."
-URB

And my favorite:

"...what might just be the best reason we've had for hope--as far as interesting, arty, progressive, well-executed, and mind-fuckingly good music goes--since OK Computer was lodge deep in the throat of music-listeners."
-Filter (94%)

A couple of links and videos:

http://www.myspace.com/tvotr - Their myspace page (free place to hear 'Wolf Like Me')

The video for 'Wolf Like Me'

They were on Letterman last night. I missed it; thank all that is awesome for YouTube.

If it isn't your cup of tea after one listen, I implore you - listen to it again. And again. And again. Hey, it worked for me with their last album.

'Tis the Season

2006-09-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

In rememberence of the victims of 9/11 and the ridiculous censorship that followed, here's a list of several songs that were "banned" by Clear Channel following the attacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_deemed_inappropriate_
by_Clear_Channel_following_the_September_11%2C_2001_attacks

Some highlights:

"Down" - 311
"Walk Like an Egyptian" - The Bangles
"Ticket to Ride" - The Beatles
"Smokin" - Boston
"In the Air Tonight" - Phil Collins (perhaps my favorite)
"Mack the Knife" - Bobby freakin' Darin
"America" - Neil Diamond
"Ironic" - Alanis... yeah

Failing to draw restraint on Drawing Restraint 9

2006-09-03T21:57:00.000-05:00

So with nothing better to do on Labor Day Eve I went to see 'Russian Dolls', the follow-up to 'The Spanish Apartment'. It was quite good, but anyway, prior to the film, the audience of about a dozen and I were treated to a trailer to Bjork's newest film 'Drawing Restraint 9', which I guess is about Bjork and some guy hanging out on a Japanese whaling ship or something.

Here's the trailer:

From the review on IMDb:

"Possibly tedious at some points, I thought it was equally wonderful that Bjork and Matthew and the Captain and crew had so much leisure to be able to tell the story, to act in this way, to live for weeks or months on the ship and its legacy. But then, I'm a full time artist who has no idea what time it is.

What was happening on the screen was only a key meant to unlock what has always been happening within us, within the deeper scar from which we all are naturally and continually emerging our being"

Yeah, ok dude.

So, anyone want to see this at The Ross? Maybe we can inject LSD into our eyeballs first!

And you thought clowns were scary (not that mascots are any different)

2006-09-01T08:23:00.000-05:00

Nebraska 45
La Tech 14

With that in mind, here are some photos of past/current mascots.

If you plan on going to sleep soon, don't scroll down.

I now support the war

2006-08-31T05:54:00.000-05:00

This sounds like something people from Maine would think up.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2006/08/30/
guard_families_cope_in_two_dimensions/

Guard families cope in two dimensions
`Flat Daddy' cutouts ease longing
By Brian MacQuarrie, Globe Staff | August 30, 2006

Maine National Guard members in Iraq and Afghanistan are never far from the thoughts of their loved ones.

Welcome to the "Flat Daddy" and "Flat Mommy" phenomenon, in which life-size cutouts of deployed service members are given by the Maine National Guard to spouses, children, and relatives back home.

The Flat Daddies ride in cars, sit at the dinner table, visit the dentist, and even are brought to confession, according to their significant others on the home front.

"I prop him up in a chair, or sometimes put him on the couch and cover him up with a blanket," said Kay Judkins of Caribou, whose husband, Jim, is a minesweeper mechanic in Afghanistan. "The cat will curl up on the blanket, and it looks kind of weird. I've tricked several people by that. They think he's home again."

At the request of relatives, about 200 Flat Daddy and Flat Mommy photos have been enlarged and printed at the state National Guard headquarters in Augusta. The families cut out the photos, which show the Guard members from the waist up, and glue them to a $2 piece of foam board.

Sergeant First Class Barbara Claudel, the state family-support director who began the program, said the response from Guard families has been giddily enthusiastic.

"If there's something we can do to make it a little easier on the families, then that's our job and our responsibility. It brings them a little bit closer and might help them somewhere down the line," Claudel said yesterday.

"You know, this is my motto: `Deployment isn't a big thing, it's a million little things.' These families go through a lot."

While most families stay in touch with their guardsmen by e-mail, snapshots, and videophone, the cutouts are unusual.

"It's a novel approach," said John Goheen, spokesman for the National Guard Association of the United States, a Washington-based lobbying group. "It's to remind the kids that this guy and this woman is still part of your life, that this is what they look like, and this is how big they are."

Claudel said she heard about the Flat Daddy idea while attending a national conference for the Guard. In Maine, the initiative began about eight months ago when Flat Daddies were offered as part of the deployment of B Company, Third Battalion, 172d Mountain Infantry, which is based in Brewer.

Now, when units are mobilized, the Guard organizes Flat Daddy parties, in which families can meet one another while receiving instructions on assembling the photos.

Judkins said the cutout has been a comfort since her husband was deployed in January.

"He goes everywhere with me. Every day he comes to work with me," said Judkins, who works in a dentist's office. "I just bought a new table from the Amish community, and he sits at the head of the table. Yes, he does."

In the car, her husband's image sits behind the driver's seat so Judkins can keep an eye on him. A third-grade class writes to him as their ``adopted" guardsman. And Judkins even brought her husband's cutout -- which she calls Slim Jim, because he's not -- to confession at the local church.

When asked what her husband had to confess, Judkins laughed. "That's private," she said.

Jim Judkins had at least one precarious moment as a cutout. When cousins tried to stuff him into a suitcase to take on a cruise, they broke his neck. But instead of expensive surgery, all the cutout needed was a little duct tape, Judkins said.

Cindy Branscom of Hallowell, whose husband, Colonel John Branscom, is in Afghanistan, said spouses of service members in the 240th Engineer Group often bring their Flat Daddies to monthly support meetings and group barbecues. She said one spouse, Mary Holbrook of Hermon, has been seen in the company of her cutout husband, Lieutenant Colonel Randall Holbrook.

"Mary has taken Randy to different events," Branscom said.

But then again, that's almost expected.

"I think it's wonderful," Branscom said. "My Flat Daddy sits in my dining room all the time. He even went to Easter dinner with us at my family's house."

We've got the power now, motherfuckers, that's where it belongs

2006-08-26T03:30:00.000-05:00

Sonic Youth/Flaming Lips after-action report:

SY: Freakin' awesome, although I would've liked a longer set and some stuff off Sonic Nurse and Murray Street. They did the wacky distortion thing between songs, but if any band can get away with that it's Sonic Youth. I also though Kim Gordon sounded better live than on recordings.

Flaming Lips: Ok, now in terms of music I was a bit more jacked for Sonic Youth, not to take anything away from the Lips. But then they started and went right into 'Race for the Prize'; the confetti and ballons started flying and the people started jumping around. It was about as close as one can come to euphoria in such circumstances, and probably the most fun I've ever had at a show.

I meant to bring a camera, so here's the best I could do with my phone.

The famous Wayne Coyne Ball (I TOTALLY TOUCHED IT):

Assorted ballons:

Some kids are still smart

2006-08-06T01:07:00.000-05:00

So this evening I was at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on a two-hour layover. I found some place that served alcohol that also happened to be showing the MLS All-Star game.

After a while, a gentleman and his son, who was probably 7 or 8, sat down near me.

SON: "Is this the World Cup?"
DAD: "No, this is the Major League Soccer All-Star game. The World Cup has been over for a month."
SON: "How come?"

Give this kid a medal because he has a fucking point.

Inaugural Compound Shindig

2006-07-29T15:43:00.000-05:00

A fun time was had by all.

NEWS LINK CREW FRONTIN'

The gentleman here on the right is the man who hired me. I suppose, in a way, he was responsible for this whole thing.

TOTH SHOWED UP

Uh huh.

And your hosts

"The Tour" OR "You asked for it, Jonn"

2006-07-22T03:20:00.000-05:00

I could post several photos of the house, but here's what's particularly important.

The wood-paneled basement, along with the house's feature attraction. Someone built a bar/window into it. If you're wondering what's on the other side, it's some storage room and the furnace. I keep saying we need to hire some guy to be down there 24/7; he'll serve as comic relief and we'll come to him with all our problems. I smell a sit-com!

The News Link Compound

2006-07-03T19:48:00.000-05:00

THE DIGS:

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Thew-

Shannon-

Cathy-

Housewarming gathering TBA. Stay tuned.

It's been a while.

2006-06-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Haven't posted anything in some time, so I return with one question; Savener, if you're around, feel free to field this one:

How stupid does this guy think Nebraskans are?

To hell with Sonic Youth and the Flaming Lips

2006-06-01T23:46:00.000-05:00

Why, it's the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain!

2006-05-28T20:24:00.000-05:00

Just watch it.

Holy mother of fuck

2006-05-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

I don't know what this Stir Cove thing is exactly, but if this isn't the best double act to ever grace the Omaha Metro.

(I checked stircove.com for tickets; they don't have them up yet. They may be on the pricey side, like ~$40, but I'd say that's worth it)

America (Judicial System), Fuck Yeah

2006-05-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

Hahaha. Fuck you both. Have a good time in whatever minimum security resort they stick you in.

Sen. Lloyd Bentsen

2006-05-24T15:23:00.000-05:00

Here he is owning Dan Quayle in the 1988 VP Debate.

If only he had been the presidential nomineee and not that robot Dukakis...

I don't know where to start with this one.

2006-05-24T15:19:00.000-05:00

Liz, Will, Grady and Cathy simultaneously feeling me up.

TV on the Radio doing 'Wolf Like Me' at a show in Seattle - May 5

2006-05-20T16:24:00.000-05:00

I still contend this is the best single I've heard in recent years.

Hello and welcome to 2001

2006-05-19T21:38:00.000-05:00

I took this photo around 3 pm today. Today being May 19, 2005.

(You have to click on it to really see it)

What the hell

For those of you that were at Jonn & Justin's going-away gathering last August

2006-05-14T18:15:00.000-05:00

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-4ebhmiyhs

2006 making up for 2005 musically

2006-05-13T02:11:00.000-05:00

I just realized how much goodness has been/will be released this year:

Already out:

Flaming Lips - At War with the Mystics
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
Pearl Jam - s/t

I guess I could say Return to Cookie Mountain by TV on the Radio is out, per say, although I don't think it'll be released until June. That having been said, It's amazing.

Still need to hear the new Streets LP too.

For the future -

Zero 7 - The Garden (The 30-second clip of "Futures" on http://www.myspace.com/zero7official sounds pretty good)

The Dears - Gang of Losers

I'm sure there's some other stuff. The Shins are supposed to have a new album sometime soon, but I have a feeling it's going to suck.

Look what I found

2006-05-06T20:30:00.000-05:00

I was thumbing through the photo album of Ned, one of the PCVs over in Zambia, and...

Nice goatee. He seems to be doing ok; heck, he should be - some of those female PCVs are rather attractive.

He's come so far

2006-05-04T20:46:00.000-05:00

I had almost forgotten about this. Think it's from my 22nd birthday gathering (December 2003).

That would be a bottle of cheap vodka into which I pointlessly stuffed about a dozen gummy bears; it gelatinized once I put it into the refridgerator.

And to think, now he's signing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in a karaoke bar in Lusaka.

Justin reaches a new low!

2006-04-30T09:28:00.000-05:00

Tenspeed wanted a commuter bike, but since the bicycle thieves in Austin are like skilled ninja assassins or something and can remove an OnGuard U-lock in about 3.6 seconds, he got a Trek 7300 an slapped a bunch of stupid Homestarrunner stickers on it.

Jesus.

Oh, and Austin is still 50 times better than anywhere else

Every now and then, my job kicks ass.

2006-04-25T18:15:00.000-05:00

Occasionally, when I lurk around train yards after talking to managers about injury-free streaks, retirees and TRAIN VELOCITY, I find myself randomly asking guys "Do you have any hobbies?"

Now, remember- this is Texas. 99% of anyone in the railroad work force (well... anywhere actually, but especially here) is involved in one or all of the following activities:

1) Hunting
2) Fishing
3) Riding 4-wheelers (which they probably use to go hunting)
4) Boating (which they probably use to go fishing).

But sometimes I get lucky.

So what was I doing today, around 3 pm?

Talking to a conductor named Joey about his comic book collection, and whether Ian McKellen was a good choice for Magneto.

It'll be in the next issue of the Gulf Division newsletter. I'll post a link.

Sure beats the heck out of the time I interviewed a guy whose Rush-esqe band opened for Bon Jovi.

Red Stick, part 2

2006-04-23T19:10:00.000-05:00

The Louisiana capitol building, which beats out Nebraska's by about 30', making it the tallest of the 50. Ours is far more phallic in nature though, so fuck you, Pelican State.

...uh, not literally. Har har.

Huey Long, former governor. He ruled Louisiana with an iron fist yet still managed to get stuff done. Then he became a US Senator. And got shot and killed.

A Hard Satur-Day's Night

2006-04-22T19:56:00.000-05:00

Saturday, April 22 - A timeline:

1:10 am - I, asleep on Savener's couch, am awoken by Savener upon his return from work

1:15-1:45 - I surf the net while Savener takes a few hits and plays Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

~2:10 - I fall asleep

5:30 am - I awake, shower, depart for Eppley

7:18 - I board my plane, two minutes before scheduled takeoff. And I'm not the only one; Continental has some issues

7:19 - I discover that I somehow got bumped to 1st class

~7:30 - I am given a hot towel by a flight attendent. I'll be. Turned down the free wine though.

12 pm - Arrive at Louis Armstrong Int'l Airport in New Orleans

12:10 - the Avis bus driver calls me "sugar" and tells me I have nice eyes

12:50 - I arrive at Union Pacific's big terminal in area and talk to some managers

1:30 - I ask a couple of locomotive engineers how they mentor the younger guys, and bullshit with them for about a half hour

2:40 - I leave for Baton Rouge, and drive by this... thing. I don't know what the heck it is, but I've seen it every time I've come here and it still freaks me out. Apparently Jughead turned into a lumberjack and decided he preferred the cock

5:30 - After chillaxin' for an hour or so, I realize I haven't eaten anything all day and go to a Whole Foods Grocery, where I purchase some asian noodles, sushi and a bottle of Belgian white ale

6:10 - While on my drive back to my hotel, I realize I really like Baton Rouge for some reason, and it's my second favorite place to stay on my territory after Austin (no-brainer)

8:00 pm - I type this while achieving a bit of a buzz, realizing that working on the weekend isn't all that bad, given the day I've had, the fact that it'll add to my vacation time, and that I can sleep in a while tomorrow, something I've really needed to do since Tuesday's Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert

Pretty much the only thing yoga is good for

2006-04-16T18:12:00.000-05:00

That's my shirt, by the way. I tried but couldn't bend over backwards as well as her

Ten Speed has fallen to the myspace gods

2006-04-06T21:24:00.000-05:00

http://www.myspace.com/romulasprime

Even if you don't know Justin, it's, uh, worth seeing.

My newest cousin is not amused.

2006-04-06T09:34:00.000-05:00

Only three months old, and he's already got it figured out. Seriously, Kia and I are going to save the human race someday.

Also, what's with the shoes this furry is wearing?

Lame. Like this blog post.

2006-04-01T23:55:00.000-06:00

George Mason losing to Florida is probably the best evidence there is for the lack of a God.

Oh well, only 2 months and 7 days until the World Cup.

You're goddamned right I am

2006-03-24T19:02:00.000-06:00

You Are Boston

Both modern and old school, you never forget your roots.
Well educated and a little snobby, you demand the best.
And quite frankly, you think you are the best.

Famous people from the Boston area: Conan O'Brien, Ben Affleck, New Kids on the Block

What American City Are You?

"But I am an artist"

2006-03-19T09:44:00.000-06:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4822418.stm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Running tap' artist to try again

An artist's plan to leave six taps running for a year at secret London locations has angered Thames Water.

Performance artist Mark McGowan says it is a protest against private control of water in the UK.

The water company has threatened legal action to stop the "irresponsible" stunt which comes during a prolonged drought in southern England.

Last year McGowan left a tap running in a south London gallery, but bowed to pressure to turn it off after a month.

That stunt used 800,000 litres of water, and angered many Thames Water customers and gallery visitors - some of whom turned off the tap themselves.

This time he intends to keep the taps running at secret London addresses, sending an estimated 100 million litres down the drain.

McGowan said that private water companies made a profit while wasting billions of gallons of water a year through under-investment.

"I understand we are in a drought. But I am an artist so I'm not actually wasting water for nothing."

A Thames Water spokesman said the company planned to take immediate legal action once it knew where the taps had been left running.

Pointing out that London and the South East get less rain per head of population than Istanbul and Dallas, he said: "For the sake of the environment we call on Mr McGowan to abandon this childish game now."

McGowan has previously made a name for himself by rolling a monkey nut across London with his nose to highlight student debt, and pulling a bus with his big toe in protest against bus lanes and mayor Ken Livingstone's "ridiculous traffic strategy".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And this is why I hate roughly 95% of all modern day artists, folks

Put on some old sad bastard music, see if I care.

2006-03-15T19:40:00.000-06:00

Out of boredom I have High Fidelity on the TV (it's on that oxygen network), despite the fact I could watch it whenever.

So at the beginning of the film when Jack Black walks into Championship Vinyl and hears Belle & Sebastian, and says "Holy sheeeeet! What the fuck is this?", Oxygen has changed "fuck" to "frog"

So there's my post for the week

I found where reflection seismograph was born

2006-03-08T23:42:00.000-06:00

My life is now complete

Reason #28294 why TV on the Radio kicks fucking ass

2006-03-03T11:14:00.000-06:00

Alex, one of my co-workers, found a leak of their new album. I'm already deeming the first track, "Playhouses," the song of the year.

Rumor is the title of the new album is 'Return to Cookie Mountain'. I know TVotR are avid video gamers.

You may recognize this:

That beige mass in the upper-right, on the "east" side of the bridge? That's Cookie Mountain, a level in Super Mario World.

TV on the Radio is the best band ever. Besides Pinback of course - but their songs, etc., also contain video game references.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a girlfriend.

It's so orange. And green. Kind of like Ecto-Cooler

2006-03-01T16:34:00.000-06:00

My cousin Jason and I are headed out to Moab and the surrounding areas Memorial Day weekend to see what the National Park Service is making Schacht do. Nonstop hikin'/bikin'/drinkin'/geocachin' fun.

Anyone else up for the journey?

...Seriously. It'll make the 12-hour drive a lot better.

Hey, something to look forward to

2006-02-26T10:54:00.000-06:00

We all remember this book:

It's being made into a movie. That in of itself is not a big surprise, but Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) is going to be directing it. It's being filmed in New Zealand, and they're going to use 10' tall animatronics for the monsters in lieu of CGI.

And said 10' tall animatronics are being made by Jim Henson's workshop.

Neat.

Ok, just one more (sort of)

2006-02-23T22:12:00.000-06:00

I found that great quote from Syriana when that Danny Dalton guy is talking to Jeffrey Wright's character:

Some trust fund prosecutor, got off-message at Yale, thinks he's gonna run this up the flagpole, make a name for himself, maybe get elected some two-bit, no-name congressman from nowhere, with the result that Russia or China can suddenly start having, at our expense, all the advantages we enjoy here. No, I tell you. No, sir. "But, Danny, these are sovereign nations." Sovereign nations. What is a sovereign nation, but a collective of greed run by one individual? "But, Danny, they're codified by the U.N. charter!" Legitimized gangsterism on a global basis that has no more validity than an agreement between the Crips and the Bloods! Corruption charges. Corruption? Corruption ain't nothing more than government intrusion into market efficiencies in the form of regulation. That's Milton Friedman. He got a goddamn Nobel Prize. We have laws against it precisely so we can get away with it. Corruption is our protection. Corruption is what keeps us safe and warm. Corruption is why you and I are prancing around here instead of fighting each other for scraps of meat out in the streets. Corruption is why we win.

and while I'm on a political kick...

2006-02-22T19:50:00.000-06:00

If this Iraqi civil war they've been discussing in between lottery coverage on CNN actually goes down, let me just say that I called it three fucking years ago, before we invaded.

But I have my doubts that it will.

On that note, back to the subject at hand:

Taking on this issue before Savener gets a chance (OWNED)

2006-02-21T20:49:00.000-06:00

This whole thing with the ports, and such... I don't feel like copying and pasting the text.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/21/port.security/index.html

For the first time in five years...

I agree and support Bush on some sort of issue.

First, yes- A UAE-based company should not be held to different standards than one based in the UK. Second, security would not be the responsibility of the UAE. There are numerous government agencies that handle and screen our ports.

Sometimes the battles our politicians choose baffle me. Even though it shouldn't.

February 18, 4:13 AM (an interpretation inspired by the late Dr. Seuss, and whatever else goes on in my head)

2006-02-18T11:55:00.000-06:00

"It shall be mandate that bread be eaten with the butter spread on the top side!"

"You marxist philistine! Bread shall be buttered on neither side! Bread requires marmalade!"

"That kind of thinking caused the Hindenberg disaster! Consider future generations!"

"I shall observe Savener's advances on Crystal while I enjoy this delectable Colorado microbrew!"

"If you all don't shut up, I'm going to go play Sim City."

"But George, if I do not endorse Schacht's marmalade doctrine I fear my father will not approve of your proposal of marriage!"

*KKKKKPPPPPOWWWWWHHHHHHH*

THE END

...sorry.

"Baton Rouge"? More like "Red Stick", am I right

2006-02-15T07:16:00.000-06:00

I need to go somewhere for work, and should therefore get ready.

But Sidekicks, starring Chuck Norris and the late Jonathan Brandis, is on Showtime.

I know where my priorities are.

He takes after his cousin

2006-02-10T21:50:00.000-06:00

My cousin Karin's 1 month old son, Kia. I guess that means "King" in Farsi. Besides, by the time he's in school I doubt the automobile company of same name will still be functional.

Hey, he stole my expression

If anyone needed more proof that the Grammys are a complete, unassailable joke

2006-02-08T23:17:00.000-06:00

I saw that Maroon 5 won the award for best group pop performance, for their song "This Love".

For the record, I really don't have anything against Maroon 5. But I'm pretty sure I heard that song in 2002, back when they were playing the Royal Grove and Crystal was reviewing them for the Journal Star.

No, wait. I am sure.

What?

2006-02-08T08:09:00.000-06:00

From my Houston hotel room:

Make your own assumptions.

Because my Rose Bowl prediction was so close

2006-02-04T13:58:00.000-06:00

Seattle 30
Pittsburgh 27

That being said, I'm leaning towards rooting for Ben Roethththththththtlililililililsberger.

Leave it to Pinback to make the only good music video in recent history

2006-02-01T21:01:00.000-06:00

For 'Fortress':

http://www.tgrec.com/news/detail.php?id=39#

I guess it was on MTV2 at one point; didn't see it. I'm sure if I had access to MTV2 I still would've never seen it.

Anyway. Just watch it. the end is the greatest thing ever.

Come on, don't tell me medieval soldiers fighting on 19th century bicycles isn't the greatest thing ever.

Austin is such an aberration

2006-01-29T17:42:00.000-06:00

...but shit, I'd live there.

These two people:

And these two people, the other being Lindsey, an old pal from high/middle school. Note that the alcohol is starting to take its effect on me here.

Some crazy Lewis and Clark type hilarity.

Stay tuned for some hot Houston photos next week. That is, if I even bother taking my camera along. It's probably not worth it.

Random Ten Speed shit

2006-01-28T19:52:00.000-06:00

The second highest grossing bicycle store in the country:

GARY FISHER TOUCHED THIS BIKE AND WROTE SHIT ON IT:

Jonnadon Forslund, you're a fucking trendsetter you sonofabitch

Shameless Evangelism Wins!

2006-01-26T21:31:00.000-06:00

Ok, most of you that know me are well aware of my hatred for Napoleon Dynamite. Enough said.

I was at a nearby mall in San Antonio a couple of hours ago. One of the many kiosks of stupid shit had a bunch of Jesus-esqe t-shirts, including...

(I found a picture of it via google).

Now, I'm sure there are fans of the film out there that will take great offense at this.

And that pleases me.

That's right, I'm a hypocrite. Come on, who wants a piece of me

From Del Rio to Laredo

2006-01-26T16:44:00.000-06:00

Think driving on I-80 in central Nebraska is monotonous? Shit, try southwest Texas.

I don't think I saw another Caucasian person in Laredo. I kind of liked the city though.

I sampled some of the native cuisine, too.... oh wait

Back in San Antonio now; meeting up with Justin and Alesha tomorrow evening. We intend to check out the clusterfuck that is 6th Street (AS SEEN ON 'THE REAL WORLD: AUSTIN')

2006-01-23T23:44:00.000-06:00

This building was used in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. I don't know if it has any other historical significance.

And look who I found...

(Don't worry, Justin is doing much better than he looks here)

Paradise Now was pretty good.

2006-01-21T23:18:00.000-06:00

Go see it. I'm going to San Antonio. Be right back

Taking advantage of my job

2006-01-11T09:42:00.000-06:00

(Well, aside from the fact I'm typing this from work)

So I have to go down to San Antonio in two weeks. Heck, I also get to see Laredo and Del Rio. Here's hoping I don't get eaten by coyotes or that cupacabracuchmunga-thing that they claim sucks the blood out of goats down there.

But on Friday after I get done working, I'm meeting up with Justin and will be in Austin that weekend. I'll be able to see first-hand if it's all it's hyped up to be.

Random thoughts from Louisiana/Texas

2006-01-07T01:26:00.000-06:00

-Bayou Country is one of the coolest places I've seen. I'll probably change my mind come June or July though
-There are still dry counties in the US. At least in Texas.
-I met some incredibly kind people down there
-There are acres and acres of trees near Beaumont, TX that will have to be destroyed. A guy I talked to said that the wood isn't even suitable for pulping.
-Houston sucks. It's like Omaha x 10.

Greetings from Lafayette, Louisiana

2006-01-03T21:20:00.000-06:00

Number of Waffle House restaurants I came across between 1981 and January 1, 2006: Maybe 3 or 4

Number of Waffle House restaurants I have come across since 6:30 pm on Januaray 2, 2006: About 50

USC 45 Texas 27

2006-01-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

I'm not certain if I'll be able to use the internet much this week, so I had to post my prediction now.

I really shouldn't root against Texas though, because if they lose I'll have to talk to a bunch of disgruntled fans the next day

Took a girl geocaching, and...

2006-01-01T18:25:00.000-06:00

I'm going to hell for laughing at this, part 2929420

2005-12-31T18:12:00.000-06:00

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/5713869/detail.html

-----------------------------------------------------
Man Killed In Wood Chipper Identified
Brian Morse Owned Brian's Tree Service

LOVELAND, Colo. -- The man who was pulled into a commercial wood chipper and killed was identified Thursday as the owner of a tree trimming service.

The coroner said Brian Ganiard Morse, 54, was killed instantly Wednesday afternoon when his hand got caught and he was somehow pulled into the machine.

Morse was identified using fingerprints.

The Larimer County Coroner ruled the death accidental and said Morse's cause of death was "total morselization of body due to being pulled by a gloved hand into a commercial wood chipper."

Morse owned Brian's Tree Trimming and Removal Service in Loveland.

Police said there are no indications that alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident and the results of toxicology tests are pending. There are no indications of suspicious circumstances or foul play, investigators said.

Morse's partner saw what happened from the hydraulic bucket where he was cutting branches. He got down and ran to the house where they were working to ask for help. The woman inside called 911 for help, but Morse was pronounced dead at the scene.
----------------------------------------------------

1) "Morselization" is my new favorite word

2) His name was Brian Morse. He was "MORSElized"

...Wow.

Yikes

2005-12-27T22:23:00.000-06:00

I was at Walgreens yesterday. They already had Cadbury Cream Eggs out by the register.

Absurdity Ahoy!

2005-12-24T18:23:00.000-06:00

Sarah Lenore Schroeder, bless her heart, sent me a birthday card with this picture pasted on it. It appears as though I've been bested in the realm of completely random humor.

In other news, as I type this I'm losing my Chimey Ale virginity. Those Belgian Trappist monks make some fine beer.

I hate Brazilian soccer

2005-12-22T09:39:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Ronaldinho, FIFA's Footballer of the Year, and the ugliest son of a bitch on the planet.

America, America, THIS IS YOU

2005-12-20T16:00:00.000-06:00

Does anyone else find the suits Bob Saget wore on 'America's Funniest Home Videos' somewhat comforting?

Ok, so the above picture is not a great example, but think back to the early 90s. There was something almost cozy about those blazers.

Mitsubishi Eclipse 6/14/00 - 12/9/05

2005-12-10T10:49:00.000-06:00

Long story short: Got into an ice-related accident last night; the back passenger side of my car was annihilated. Legally my fault (failing to yield on a left turn); the woman who hit me - one of Emily's former professors and a very nice woman - was trying to stop for the light but caught the ice. She was totally fine; I am too aside from a nice bump on my head and a cut hand in a few places.

Either way, looks like my insurance is going to be on the rise. Hopefully the fact that whatever car I end up buying won't be a "sports" car will offset it some though.

But the Eclipse is no more. Obviously I have my priorities in the right places, but I still won't miss that car much.

Why couldn't we have played Saudi Arabia?

2005-12-09T15:12:00.000-06:00

The World Cup is the only time I ever get patriotic. They just did the draws for next years groups, and...

Italy
Czech Republic
Ghana
USA

It's going to be a bitch for the US to get out of that group. Plus, I have to root against my distant relatives (haha)

Oh well. The Cup doesn't start until June; maybe the Black Death will strike again before that