“Dead Snow”

I really don't like scary movies, but I know better than to pass up a chance to see a Norwegian film about a Nazi-zombie battalion… NAZI ZOMBIES?!

Bike Bike Bike

You know how some people talk about their kids or their pets all the time? (Because they love them, naturally). I know I sound just as dorky talking about my bike. Well... she is my baby.

Oiseau and I got caught in hard rain for the first time this evening. For the mere two months that I've had her, I've been overly conscious about timing my riding with the weather, leaving early, leaving later, leaving her behind. A drizzle is nothing, but a downpour is something else. What can I say? I wanted to enjoy that "new car smell" for as long as I could.

After having dinner at Lula Cafe with some friends, it started raining. Which made me really happy I invested in an overpriced rain parka to carry in my bag all the time, (which I now recommend). Oiseau and I got drenched, my shoes became reservoirs for water, and my fenders got put to the test and are true blue.

…………

I'm also not surprised to continually learn my bike will never need a wing man in her life. Last night after an excellent dinner/evening, we found this note taped to the handlebars:


For a second I actually thought I had gotten a ticket or a parking fine. If I was remotely interested in MySpace or Facebook, I'd create a page for the bike— just to see how many friends she'd rack up. Or maybe it's just a positive testament to anal retentive design?

currently wiping my bike to: The Modern Lovers

Shows & Info Graphics

Looking at my calendar list of upcoming shows for the fall, I remembered one of my favorite info charts of all time, featured in the New York Times in 2007 by Andrew Kuo. He documents his series of summer shows at Brooklyn's McCarren pool in such a hilarious and smart manner— I wish I could organize my thoughts visually that way.

One of the many highlights in his chart, is in the category "What was jogging through my mind at the shows I went to?". One documented answer being: "There is a ton of facial hair going on."

currently listening to: Handsome Furs

Weekend wrap up

I love going out to my friends' home out in Hennepin, IL because it automatically equals relaxation for me. Just thinking about it makes me sleepy in a good way. And every time I'm out there, I wake up in the exact same position that I fall asleep in. Restful.
This weekend was no different, except it involved visiting the Quad Cities: Davenport and Bettendorf, IA, and Moline and Rock Island, IL.
Who knew the John Deere headquarters in Moline is incredible? Designed by Eero Saarinen, pictures can't explain how breathtaking the campus is. Totally worth the trip out to nowhere to go visit and walk the grounds.
The floor pattern on one of the tractors:
And I learned that John Deere apparently jumped on the bike craze too, back in the day. Naturally, only a limited edition of bikes were produced:

The Figge Art Museum in Davenport is a beautiful building to visit as well— we caught a great exhibition from the Walker Art Center. And I attended my first minor league ball game.
And one of the best highlights, is biking about 20 miles in the Middle-of-Nowhere, IL. Beautiful farmhouses, corn fields, obstacles of hissing geese, water lilies, wildflowers, and no one on the bike path but you and your friends… I couldn't ask for anything more this weekend.
currently listening to: Big Star

My new favorite

Wilhem Staehle:
currently listening to: Roxy Music

Do

Do eat amazing Korean barbecue from San Soo Ka San:

Do go see the band The Upper Crust if you love Spinal Tap, and a good, solid rock show (my personal favorite song "Long Table for Two"):

Do try the new brunch/cafe spot Birchwood if you have a hankering for eggs and excellent coffee like I do (savory bacon + sage bread pudding topped with 2 fried eggs):

Do head out for the country, and away from the city, for some checks and balances, (or to placate the need for trees and the northwest life…)

I'm taking off, again. My favorite.

currently listening to: Lou Reed

I LOVE these info graphics

Beautiful, clean design from Chad Hagen. I think I will sign up for that Edward Tufte class now…

currently listening to: Matt Pond PA

Late night at work?

I get by with a little help from my friends…

currently listening to: The Smiths

Ink

I often entertain the idea of getting a tattoo, but never seriously. Way too permanent for me. Though if I could get a decent 3 month temporary one, I would love to have this on the inside of my arm:
Or a cluster of the Eames dot pattern, done tastefully:

currently listening to: Matt & Kim

Tour de Fat

Headed over to Logan Square today to check out Fat Tire's Tour de Fat event. It was a fun time— there were quite a few varieties of Fat Tire brews, live shows from Mucca Pazza, The Sprockettes (Portland's dance/bike troupe), antics from The Squirm Burpee circus with the evil Baron Vegan Von Hamburger (how can you not laugh at that name alone?), and a New Orleans-style funeral march for a car—leading up to a bike raffle for a sweet heavy-weight Schwinn.

……………

After the Fat, I rode over to Ukrainian Village to nose around. First stop, Rotofugi. There was a cute plush rabbit with a mustache I had my heart on, but I opted for a Kathie Olivas surprise box instead… and got exactly the toy I was hoping for. Most excellent.


Next stop was Sprout and hung out with the bees and daydreamed what my garden will look like for my Portland home one day…


And made an impromptu stop at Piccolo to check out their gelato. I should've got the cucumber rosewater sorbet, but then I saw they had whiskey gelato… and well… the whiskey part sounded so good. And it was— my cup runneth over:

currently listening to: Red Red Meat

Get ready for… the Show n' Tell Show

Mark your calendars for September 6, and come to Schubas to watch myself and other talented designers talk about their work and heckle at the Show n' Tell Show. Here's a description from the Chicagoist, to give you an idea of what to expect:

"There’s nothing better than listening to an artist / designer talk about their creative process—the inspiration, the tears, the glory. But when you add in some random crazy-ass comedy, ‘80s jams, and deliciously crafted cocktails, the result is a brilliant alternative to an uptight theory lecture—The Show ‘n Tell Show." - Jen Hazen

It's a little weird seeing my name on the Schubas calendar list. I had went online to buy tix for the Fruit Bats, and there it was— gave me a good chuckle. Hopefully I'll see you there in September.

currently listening to: Subpop Records Cybersex Sampler

The State I’m In: no.2

This morning before I left to come back to Chicago, my 6 year old nephew Daniel, (the younger of the two), started crying and demanded to know why I only come around for holidays. I told him I'd be back very soon, in 3 months. With silent tears, he said 3 months does not go by fast.

To the left of my sternum, under my rib cage, hurts.

……………

So it's back to the pool to not think about it. Though it would be nice if I looked half as smart as Ada in a bathing cap.

Excellent weekend