Your Mileage May Vary

The Cost of a Chair

Background Noise: Brandy, Three Dog Night

Last Visited: inventory verification; and yummy stats 

Random Thought: i'm getting better at go karting; i wonder if the bruises inside my knees afterwards will ever stop though

Mood: i could use a few of Katrina's caffine breath mints this morning 

I've coveted this chair for a good long while now; i've been able to resist purchasing it for all that time because, well, there are just so many other things i can do for the price of that chair (for fun, let's put the average with tax at $2400): 

• 5.8 flights home (at the rate i paid for my ticket in july) 
• airfare and 6 nights in London at the rate i got in december  
• 40 nice pairs of shoes  
• 6 tickets to South Pacific  
• 30 bottles of 2003 Paraduxx Mallards  
• 240 poker buy-ins   
• 40 rounds of the gokart grand prix   
• 600 breakfasts a starbucks (including tip)  
• 40 full tanks of gas (at the rate i paid this weekend, roughly 14,000 miles of driving) 
• 2300 4x6 prints (after tax and delivery)   
• 3 prime lenses for my camera  
• 150 tank tops at the Gap  
• 85 tickets to the symphony   
• 300 drinks at the bar  
• 234 movie tickets  
• 10.4 flights to the general midwest  
• 12.6 flights to Vegas / LA / Seattle   
• a shark expedition from SF bay for 8  

... what i'm saying is that that money buys a lot. Does $2400 make for the most expensive chair ever? Certainly not. But compared to all of the other things i could do with that money... it feels quite pricey indeed. 

(Since i started writing this post i found out that not only is that chair currently on sale, the recliner variant is now offered in fabric in addition to leather at a significantly lower price; i'm trying very very very hard to forget that i know that little piece of information.)

(Oh, but it would be so nice to have a perfect reading chair....)

ps: Hail to the Victors, even in 1903, even in the snow; especially in the snow. 

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You take pictures of Odd Things

Background Noise: California Stars
Last Visited: the T round: Snorg, Noisebot, Threadless
Random Thought: that's the way I roll
Mood: flirting with the edge

I, apparently, take pictures of odd things; or, rather, some people think the things i take pictures of are odd subjects: coffee cups, flowers, barbed wire, grasses, other people's children, portions of statues, stickers, mirrors, fries, strangers, other people's jewelry, random performance art, etc, etc, and so forth.

I would argue that these things aren't odd to take pictures of at all; that they're quite normal, and all in their own way quite beautiful, and descriptive of the world i live in; or, rather, the world i live in when i have my camera with me (which is not entirely the same thing).

Anyways. I suppose i'm saying i generally like my pictures. Sure, some of them may be strange, but, well, whatever. I have a digital camera with usually more storage than i need: i can take whatever pictures i want to. (Golly i'm petulant this week.)

Sort of along these thought lines, I ordered about 70 prints of pictures i've taken recently last night. Partially because 4x6s are $0.12, partially because i realized the most recent pictures of mine that are up in my apartment are practically 5 years old (with one exception). And while they won't all end up on a my walls (well, maybe), I'm heading to Aaron Brothers tonight to pick up a ton of cheap frames and using them to add color and depth to my apartment.

Because i've been places, man, and it's time my home space reflected that.

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In View

Background Noise: Walcott, Vampire Weekend
Last Visited: my gallery, again
Random Thought: my awesome little brother is my new source of music
Mood: today will not be normal

There's a lot going on right now, coming from all directions. Not that this isn't necessarily normal (at least historically looking through my archives), but i beg you to believe me that right now? Right now is different. If not only because, well, most of the "stuff" has very little to do with work (amazing, right?) (well, actually, quite a lot has to do with work, as always, but there's actually stuff outside of work too) - of course, i don't actually think i can talk any more about this stuff than i can about the work stuff.

Of course.

One might wonder why i bother to blog at all sometimes.

One might wonder what the point of writing "stuff that i can tell you about it happening, but boy is it pulling me in 8 million different directions!" is.

One might have a point.

But i'd rather post something here than not; i apologize if it's ridiculously annoying.

Switching topics, I'm going home next week! I'm beyond thrilled. I booked the flight last week clutching any and all excuses i could find, and i'm going to make the most of my layover in Minn to see Heather, then home to see the fam and Al and Cathy. It will be wonderful, and hopefully a source for more pictures. Because i have to admit, i've kindof become addicted to taking pictures. Very soothing. Now if i could only find the time to actually put up my picture shelves on the wall of my apartment so i could print some and put them up....

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No nonsense, Lizzie, I desire that you stay where you are

Background Noise: Pride and Prejudice, and the echoing hallways
Last Visited: starbucks!
Random Thought: i love poker night
Mood: taking a bit of a break to regroup and refocus... 15 mins should do it. i hope.

So my apartment complex might have termites.

Well, they've found termites in one building, and have tented it or something, so they figured they should look at all the other (separate) buildings as they are also old, not really well taken care of, and, well, made of wood. Makes sense for them to check things out.

So tomorrow at some point some random people will be tromping through my apartment poking at my walls, and generally (i'm sure) noticing what a mess my place is; seriously, it's not clean. And while if this was the only thing they asked of me (entrance) i'm sure i wouldn't (totally) mind; i'd still feel guilty for the mess, but well, they aren't really guests, so ok. But... of course that isn't the only thing they've asked.

"Remove all objects from outfacing walls and move any and all furniture at least 2 feet away from the walls for clearance."

... oh boy.

While I'm sure this shouldn't, under normal circumstances, be a problem, by some feat of the design gods pretty much all the heavy furniture or objects I own are against outfacing walls: my bed, my piano oh, and the refrigerator, too. Most of my heavy pseudo-art as well.

... and, of course, i've kinda been overly swamped and preoccupied the last week-ish (sorry), so i haven't started to move any of it; no worries, i'm sure 20 minutes after poker or before i leave tomorrow should be plenty of time....

I seriously don't know what i'd do if they find termites in my building. Well, i'd be pissed. But i really don't have the time or inclination to move right now. Here's to positive thinking, and not freaking out until there's something to actually freak out about.

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Gambling on the Tensile Strength of A Plastic Bag

Background Noise: L-O-V-E, Joss Stone
Last Visited: blessed Starbucks
Random Thought: here's to the men who call a spade a spade, without qualification
Mood: bound by fairness and understanding; damnit.

Imagine a giant plastic bag that has a spout with a cap on it.
Now, imagine filling this plastic bag 1/3 full of boiling hot water.

Now place the bag on your bed; you'll lie down on it and feel the relaxing powers of the hot water.
Or... wait. Your mattress was kind of expensive... perhaps we shouldn't test the tensile strength of the plastic on the bed.

Now place the bag on your chair; you'll sit down on it and feel the relaxing powers of the hot water.
Or... well, the chair was certainly cheaper than the mattress, but you're not thrilled at the concept of buying a new one, so...

Now lie down on the floor (covered by a threadbare and ancient carpet) and place the bag on hot water on top of you; you'll feel the relaxing powers of the... crap, the bag fell off; place the bag of hot water on your back and, nope, fell off again, no Puff, don't play with this bag, er, wait, was that a sloshing sound? Is this supposed to sound like that? Really? It isn't leaking is it? er...

Now sit up on the floor and cradle the scalding hot bag of water to your chest to feel the relaxing powers of... funny how the bag looks like it should be carrying a goldfish or something; well, wouldn't that be a cooked goldfish? ew. Seriously, how hot is this bag? Where in the instruction manual did it say wear long sleeves to handle it? This is crazy.

... Next time i want to feel the relaxing powers of hot water i'll just take a bath.

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A Bit-Longer-Than-10-Second Interview

Background Noise: Mike Gravel on Forum, KQED
Last Visited: Rand's Office
Random Thought: oh my god i have next week off; thank you, thank you, thank you.
Mood: medium rare

So, i have this account on Facebook; now, i don't really need to go over the whys and wherefores of the book - you've either heard about it so much you a) have an account or b) explicitly don't want an account. Generally i find Facebook randomly entertaining; sure it's great to see everyone's status messages and be able to know at a glance what's going on (i am an information junkie), but really, i love the random applications. Especially the movie reviews and the 10-second interview.

So far i have reviewed 1537 movies; it's fast, it's easy, and if i want i can add comments beyond my star rating. Partial? Of course it is - but cycling through a few movies on quick review is also a really great 5 minute break.

Another great randomly interesting waste of time? The Interview. I'm just going to give up calling it "10-second" because i'm pretty positive i've blown a couple of hours answering or skipping questions over the last few months. But actually taking a step back, the net result of the interview is kindof interesting; and since several of you don't have accounts or don't remember your passwords and so can't actually just go to my profile and read my ramblings, here's the interview. Enjoy:

What's your favorite blue food? magellan gin. or blueberries. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? someone who changed the world What should you really be doing right now? leaving work, finding dinner What question would you ask God? Kevin Smith's question was pretty good

What was the best advice you ever received? get it done now, argue about who's fault it was later How many days past expiration are you willing to drink milk? -3 What's your favorite type of cheese? gruyere Metric or Imperial units? base 10! What will your wedding band be made out of? platinum Naked food fights are... messy, but worth it In a previous life, I was... apparently an Irish sailor Glasses or contacts? contacts You can see my place, but don't look in my... kitchen; lord knows i don't What would you do for a new car? depends, what kind of car? What's your least favorite thing about the Coriolis Effect? the fact that i had to look it up What makes you blush? compliments When the aliens arrive, I hope they bring... flowers I love the scent of... lavender; mint; and lemons; rain; freshly cut grass; fall; a new snow; water; my grandmother's farm; and baking bread; a crisp morning; strawberries; a strong cup of coffee; white truffle oil; a fire with pine branches; man; and popcorn when it's dark. I'd say that vegetables are... full of sunlight-energy-power! Which sport is the best to watch? college football Boxers or briefs? boxers please If you had to get a tattoo, what would it be? funny, i keep asking myself the same thing What's your favorite book? A Girl of the Limberlost; at least it's one of them Love or lust? one isn't as much fun without the other Five star hotel or a tent in the woods? who's paying? If you were coated in jelly, what flavor would you prefer? Thimbleberry? I always mispronounce... Thimbleberry What was the first thing you bought when you got your first credit card? You know the funny thing? I can't actually remember. Probably books freshman year of college - i know i got my card outside Ulrich's. Where would you like to go on vacation? See the map to your right What's your favorite candy? Honestly? I'm not really a fan of candy When the world ends, I will be... ignorant of it I sleep on my... bed? Have you ever been to Narnia? only in my dreams How often do you cook? less than i'd like I wish I had never seen... that they're making Xanadu: the Broadway Musical What's the worst show on television? there are too many contenders for that title How do you like your coffee? from zingermans Early riser or night owl? night owl, no question PC or Mac? um, duh In retrospect, do you wish you had studied harder or had more fun? this is one of those dangerous questions, isn't it Where was sexy before Justin Timberlake brought it back? thankfully sexy wasn't in danger before or after My parents should've known I'd be trouble when I... programmed every VCR i could get my hands on to tape Strawberry Shortcake. When i was 2. What's the most embarassing song in your collection? "The Girls of Rock and Roll" from The Chipmunk Adventure Beauty or Brains? they're not mutually exclusive Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? Fall Are you a country mouse or a city mouse? City Mouse

... And hey, since this post is already epically long, i'm going to also plug Love in the Time of Cholera which opens this weekend. Also, if you haven't seen Lars and the Real Girl, please go; really. I'm also curious about Gone Baby Gone, No Country For Old Men, Beowolf, Mr. Migorium's something something Imporium, August Rush... hey, good thing i have all of next week off-ish.

I so need a break.

Expression:

The Old Apartment

Background Noise: why is iTunes always playing "Knights of Cydonia" when i try to post?
Last Visited: umm... starbucks?
Random Thought: i love randomly stumbling on sales - seriously, what a way to cheer a person up.
Mood: you know what's also cheery? Yellow. Like my shirt. Yes, i said it: i'm wearing yellow. Who would have guessed?

Once upon a time i lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan and had my very first, well, let's call it my first real apartment. I mean, i'd had an apartment before - but let's face it, that one was basically my dorm for college which i hardly ever saw and only rarely cleaned - so when i graduated i moved into this apartment.

And oh my was it cool. I painted just the way i wanted. All my furniture basically looked like it belonged. I even bought... a light fixture. It had a washer and dryer (a luxury i have yet to repeat) and i looked at water. Sure it was a man made pseudo-tacky pond with a fountain, but it was water.

... and for a few brief and beautiful moments it was clean. And luckily, just then, Steve was there with his camera.

(oh yeah: note the fireplace! There was one! I don't think i ever lit it for fear of singing Puff's tail, but it was there!)

Expression:

Destroying Pillows

Background Noise: p&p
Last Visited: bobbie's
Random Thought: i {heart} view
Mood: nope

Some days, it has to be ok to go home and take a nap.

(... why is it that every time i realize i've gotten a pay check i want to buy something?)

Expression:

Well Hello Speed Racer

Background Noise: when your heart stops beating
Last Visited: Apple's Q2 Earnings
Random Thought: you know, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon the Movie For Theaters wasn't bad
Mood: breathing ? happy : annoyed

One day when i'm a grown up and own my own place i will put up doors like this:

... because i so need a secret room. They'd make for a good office, don't you think?

In other shocking news, i actually managed to take a picture of me (with my camera phone of all things) that a) doesn't totally suck and b) makes it look that i'm older than 22... which is a step in a decent direction i think. Actually this picture is fairly miraculous in and of the fact that i was sick and half asleep when i took it (Dave claims i either look tired or stoned), but my hair actually looks good and for the first time in ever my face looks longer than wider - baby steps.

Oh yeah: how fabulous was the after hours trading on AAPL today? Up $8 for the day? All i have to say is: can we please do it again tomorrow?

ps: Happy Birthday, Mike!!

Expression:

Random Acts of Pieness

Background Noise: Sweet Home Alabama
Last Visited: Keynote: 13 slides and counting
Random Thought: just Let Virgin Atlantic fly already
Mood: do-de-do-do

Ok, so i shouldn't really title this post "random acts of pieness" because, technically, national pie day (not to be confused with pi day) was yesterday. But! When is it inappropriate to commit random acts of pieness such as giving someone a piece of pie? Or baking a pie? Or baking a pie and then giving someone a piece? I mean seriously; these are the bits of life that deserve to be celebrated. That's my story and i'm sticking to it.

Anyways. Do you know what one of the best things about having ones friends come into town to visit is? Besides the whole them actually coming to visit part? Getting my apartment ready for having guests. Seriously, i ask you, would i have more than one towel or bath rugs or a vacuumed carpet or enough batteries for two television remotes or lights that actually worked instead of just having bulbs that are burned out if i didn't know i had a guest coming? Would i have rearranged my living room so that a) there's a better traffic flow b) the thing looks bigger c) the heater isn't blocked so it actually gets warmer than 53 degrees in my apartment or d) changed up where my art is so it actually kindof looks like i live there if i didn't have a guest imminently approaching? I swear, unless my apartment is really, really messy the only time i ever clean it is if i know someone is coming over. Someone coming to stay over? Heck, that's a whole different chore list i need to work on.

So :) thanks, B, for getting on a plane in approximately 26 hours - i've made so many little changes to my place over the past week i almost wouldn't mind staying there for another few months. Crazy, i know.

Also, Heather and Nick had their engagement pictures done - they are adorable and very lovely and i think that we all should get a series of professional pictures taken. Not quite the cheesy high school senior pictures, but certainly ones that prove that we exist and who we are at this point in the world. I know i don't really have many pictures of me (well, over the age of like 10)... i think it's a nice idea.

... and as long as i don't have to wear my choir uniform i'm all for it.

Ok, back to working on my presentation slides. Do i have other things i could be working on? Sure. But for now i'm kindof enjoying putting this presentation together. At the very least i need it for next week; but who knows... it's always better to be prepared.

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