Happy Birthday, Mr. T !!!

I went to the hardware store with Jim Hee last week, and vaguely recall seeing a short blonde chick and rocker type guy crossing the street as Jim was hitting the ATM on 18th and Carson. Ok, a not too uncommon sight in South Side, though eh? True enough, but Jim thought that she looked a lot like Drew Barrymore, and sounded kinda like her. He thought, nahhh couldn't be. Apparently the Strokes were in town last Thursday night, and apparently that guy who drums for them (who probably dresses like a rocker?) is dating Drew Barrymore. And after the concert, they went to Dee's. I helped Danielle take down the stuff set up in Art Space 303 last night and then went out to Pipers for beers.

In other news: Just one more reason why you should never do crack . . .

Every quadreplegic should have a monkey . . . I mean that with all due respect, but I'd think the breed of monkey is most important.

I'm getting stoked about travel plans,but a little worried that being away may hurt me in the job search. Keep yer fingers crossed for me . . . !

In the mean time, don't let yer kid leave his bike by the elephants

Starbucks has created an official entertainment position. My job search at the university is plodding along, although more slowly than I'd like it...

In more important news, are girls wearing sweaters around the hips a lot (ass sweaters)? or is this a Canadian thing? I haven't noticed it, but again it's almost summery out now!

this weekend was pretty cool. got some tix booked for my two vacay trips: Gallup, NM and Punta Cana, DR (Dominican Republic). friday night, i saw neko case at the world, and she rocked the house. what a voice, what... a ... voice...! Saturday, i went ot see Gabby and Autumn do their last show (how many last shows can people do? i thought only the Crawling Low Band did every show as their last show ... ) at the Gemini Theater. Sunday softball was excellent. And I watched The Whole Nine Yards last night after getting my first chocolate malt for the season from the Page Dairy Mart.

Today is Sea Monkey Apreciation Day! and how I wish I had known that yesterday, cuz we were talking a lot about sea monkeys...

This is the story of the cat with hands . . .

Apparently Blogger has been buys over the weekend.

Everybody is glad it's spring, and some folks are feeling their sap rising, so to speak. This is fine and natural, sometimes pleasant even. What is unpleasant is when people ignore boundaries. like the guy who accosted me this morning.

I'm on my way to work, almost to my building and i see this tall middle-aged guy, combover with glasses in a suit and tie approaching the other way. He looks like someone I know from the business school, so i nod to him, ahhh but then he speaks and I know it's not the guy I know from the business school. the dialog went something like this:

Strange man: "hey how are ya?"
Me: "Hi, I'm fine thanks..." and nod.
Strange Man: "You look really nice today, very spring-like ... "
Me (somewhat befuddled): "thanks... "
Strange Man: "how'd ya come to wear that outfit?"
thinking better of saying what immediately came to mind, Oh, my mother dresses me each morning, i simply said,
"I got up and got dressed, like i do every day."
Strange Man: "well you look so nice, like you'd cheer anybody up on a dreary day like today."
Me: "hhmmm ... "
Strange Man: "Where you off to?"
Me: "Work. I work right there." (I point to my building)
Strange Man: "Where do you live? here inPittsburgh?"
Me: "Yes"
strange Man: "Did you grow up here?"
Me: "Yes."
Strange Man: "Oh, really? Wherebouts?"
ME: "South Hills"
SM: " I know the South Hills, where?"
Me (I'm becoming a bit uncomfortable): "Mt. Lebanon" (I start feeling like i've given out way too much information to a stranger)
SM: "Oh it's very nice there. Did you go to High School there?'
Me (now definitely uncomfortable): "Yes."
SM: "Well, you look like must've graduated about 10 years ago. what are you, say 28 or 30?"
Me (Now quite uncomfortable): "Sure... something like that."
SM: "Say what's that you've got in your pocket? (Indicating my left pants pocket) Your wallet? your cell phone?" (And then he reaches over and tap-tap-taps the box of cigarettes n my pocket).
Me: "Cigarettes." (this, to my great joy, seemed to disgust him)

And at this point i've become so very uncomfortable, not only with the whole conversation but even just being near said Strange Man, and tell him:
Me: "I'm going to work now. Goodbye." And walked away.
Strange Man: "It was nice to meet you." and I continue walking nod and smile and dash across the street and into my building.

Let me be clear: I do not hate people who are old, gay, or Jewish (he was wearing a Yamuka (sp?) ). But I do feel awkward, flattered or not, when another man hits on me. Especially so when he gets in my personal space, and very very awkward when he reaches to touch me anywhere near my mid-section/crotch areas. I dont have a problem with walking away from an uncomfortable situation. I did not slug him, though I had thought about it.

My advice is two-fold . . .

1. Be polite, but don't be afraid to ask someone who suddenly asks you questions, tons of 'em, why they want to know so much about you. I should've asked him that, but i think I knew the answer already.

2. if you're trying to flirt with someone or pick them up, it's better to say something about yourself in additon to your barrage of Questions, rather than to interrogate them. Interrogation tends to make people feel like they're being interrogated, and like your up to something. If you feel like your being interogaed, feel free to ask, "What are you up to?" or "What's the point of all this?" If you're trying to pick someone up, dont get in their personal space, and DO NOT touch them, especially anywhere remotely near a personal zone. You're destined for failure and perhaps a black eye, broken nose or lawsuit . . .

A Dutch website dedicated to Air Guitar . . .

Hey, I'm looking to take some time off at the end of May, something like an extendo weekend . . . any suggestions for a trip? any takers on a road trip maybe? anybody want to go with? drop me a line and let me know what you think . . . .

So apparently rules #1 and #2 have been broken, but there is a Girl's Fight Club

What is this? Starbucks is bucking up to responsibility?

"Hey, Bob, working this flight undercover again? Let's hope it's a nice flight, eh?"

Open mic night at the Rex was kinda quiet, but it was cool to hang out with Marty and Madge and Renee and some of the regulars from down there. Not sure what was up with my guitar, cuz it sounded pretty jive, and the vocals allsounded mushed, and well not be a whiner but it sucks when the sound guy does sound for a bit ... and then leaves before you come up to play.

i'm not really sure what they're saying beyond say, some city names, but it's kinda funny. I'm not even sure why. It's just Japanese, after all.

A good weekend overall.

We had sushi Friday night, some Red Hook beer, watched Ten Little Indians and some Spike and Mike's Animation.
Saturday i helped my mom and sister with some yardwork, clearing back vines and branches... and then went with Anders to see Jill Sobule. She's pretty cool as a performer, an awesome songwriter, and she really related well with her audience.

Softball was a bit of a wash: 8 of us showed, but we had a batting practive (of sorts) even though it rained and rained, and nobody had a bat, but Stu found a branch that was kinda straight, and we something like Neanderthal softball.

Here's a pretty cool article about the revamped NYPD and how their new approach to management is cracking down on crime, and spreading across the nation. It's really working in some cities, maybe not so well in small towns though. From the NYTimes.

Correction: Gypsy Cafe is by the corner of 14th and Bingham, not 14th and Sydney

I had lunch today with Bucket, Marto, Stuch, Madge and some other Printcafe folk at the Gypsy Cafe.
We're talking good food for a reasonable price, and casual comfrotable atmosphere. I had the Curry Chicken Sald Sandwich, a Spinach Orzo salad, and some minted fruit salad. Tres Bien. is that French for quite nice? very good?

Gypsy Cafe is on the 1400 block of Sydney Street in the South Side, right up from the City Theater.

Anyone care for a muffin? #4, 6, & 9 are particularly delicious.

Spatula vs. the Burger

I've decided that I like being the spatula, and not the burger. I think I prefer being the one to flip the cooking stuff, as opposed to being cooked. Does this mean I want to work in fast food? No. Does this mean I'm carrying a spatula with me now to whack people with? No, although that's a tempting idea. I'm saying that I'm trying a new approach. It may have been prompted by any number of things, but I'm feeling a strong urge to opine. I'm not trying to pick a fight, but I may step on some toes. Pardon me . . .

Some do this a lot . Some do this a little. Some do it like never, but say they always want to do it more. Some I understand but don't, but I'm glad to see them go for it (nice to have you back, I had stopped checking).

Well here's three beefs I've got:
Giant Eagle's self-checkout gig;
Anti-Abortion advertising in the sky;
Dan Brown v. Christianity

Giant Eagle's self-checkout gig: Let me begin by saying the machines are rude. "Move your Braeburn Apples . . . " Sounds like the angry woman in produce who's trying to get by you, but your too busy squeezing fruit to notice her. It's an impatient machine, with its frightfully slow process. Maybe you regular users of the self-checkout love it. I used to think it was great, until last night when my ginger ale fridge pack jettisons cans all over the aisle. Until the machine stops to demand that I wait for someone to bag my groceries (and they're not coming, but the light above the register is blinking like there's a problem at this machine) because the cargo area is full. Until it stops asking me, like an unsatisfied wife, if I'm finished yet. Until it jams up when a toothbrush passes through the belt way. Until it seems apparent that the days of the clerk and bagger are numbered.

Anti-Abortion Advertising in the Sky: Ok, the concept of an aborted fetus flying here in Oakland and presumably elsewhere. Have your beliefs, ok . . . but do you really need flying aborted fetuses?

Dan Brown v. Christianity: The fundamental tenet of Christianity is that Christ came to earth as God incarnate to die for man's sins, and then rose from the grave. It's simple: You buy it or you don't. Without delving too far into Nietzsche or Hegel or other dialogues of truth and reality, suffice to say that anyone can claim any authority for any reason. The proof or disproof is often difficult. That's why it's called a faith. Faith in your friends, family, deity, whatever . . .

"so if trees could scream, would we still cut them down? probably, if they screamed all the time for now reason . . . " obligatory deep thought and its related article

Flexitarian: a person who is usually a vegetarian, but is known to eat meat on occasion.

Jim Dietz and Mel have opened the Gypsy Cafe on the South Side. It's off 14th and Sydney. Their black bean hummous is pretty killer, as is the pesto pizza. thanks guys, fo rhaving us all out to your opening!

Jim Hee has a new blog, Caesar's Jester. You can find a link on the side, too.

Here's a cool new word: Iraqnophobia

Another word that's just funny: Poo X. It's any poodle crossbreed. The list of names is brilliant: cock-a-poo, peek-a-poo, etc.

First it was panties for men, now it's panties for dogs. people are really really strange.