tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58101537075438828062024-03-08T08:47:14.230-06:00Out Any WindowJoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-18528238104168416792013-11-05T21:39:00.001-06:002013-11-05T21:39:27.915-06:00Hello Old BlogLogged onto this blog for the first time in a long time. Perhaps should have kept up with this more, interesting to read some of these things.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-69610869461297284442010-08-31T22:33:00.001-05:002010-08-31T22:36:42.972-05:00Pretty good.This is an interesting little video. Probably good to remember. I also like that it was done by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, those guys are smart.<div><br /></div><div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8dtixs0UhkI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8dtixs0UhkI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-11374583450662951602010-06-11T22:04:00.000-05:002010-06-11T22:05:05.791-05:00David Byrne --- Talks About Music and Venue<object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/DavidByrne_2010-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/DavidByrne-2010.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=883&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=david_byrne_how_architecture_helped_music_evolve;year=2010;theme=a_taste_of_ted2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=art_unusual;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TED2010;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/DavidByrne_2010-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/DavidByrne-2010.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=883&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=david_byrne_how_architecture_helped_music_evolve;year=2010;theme=a_taste_of_ted2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=art_unusual;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TED2010;"></embed></object>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-5606744306384461442010-04-14T21:47:00.002-05:002010-04-14T21:51:29.623-05:00Swimming, harder than it looksSo around new year's a friend of mine put out a challenge to run a sprint triathlon, knowing that this is what white guys in their early 30's are supposed to do I accepted. Heck it was January, ambition was still high and there was no real commitment beyond a registration fee.<div><br /></div><div>Well its nearing the end of frigging April. Work is back to being insane, and I in classic style am cramming 6 months of training into 2 1/2. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight, got in the pool to swim laps for the first time in a long time. Needless to say the image I have of myself gliding through the water is in stark contrast to the splashing mess I make going through the pool. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did manage to swim 300 yards, but not without a lot of almost killing myself.</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-11685429235136960632010-02-15T12:17:00.002-06:002010-02-15T12:21:12.121-06:00I am procrastinatingI am procrastinating. A lack of meetings makes getting down to revisions tough.<br /><br />Saw that my last blog post was after my second guitar lesson. Well, at least guitar is making better progress than blogging. Tonight is probably marking about six months worth of lessons. Working on "She talks to Angels" and "Melissa".<br /><br />Also, moved again -- two weeks ago actually. This time to glorious Kalamazoo. So far, better than Battle Creek (a low bar).<br /><br />Had another book idea.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-29989959984285415182009-07-06T21:04:00.001-05:002009-07-06T21:06:32.288-05:00Gutiar Lesson #2Just got home from guitar lesson #2, I'm up to theoretically knowing how to play ten chords. Now if I could just get my fingers to take on a totally new shape.<div><br /></div><div>Also, may have just had the best conversation with Comcast, ever. They actually were able to solve my problem. Amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-10752251773553760862009-04-25T08:31:00.003-05:002009-04-25T08:34:23.596-05:00Beer Garden Season Officially OpenSpent last night at the <a href="http://www.bellsbeer.com/">Bell's</a> Beer Garden. Pretty much one of the best places on Earth, or at least Kalamazoo. <div><br /></div><div>Heading to Foster's soccer game in about 10 minutes, than off to the SW Side for some games of bags, and I'm sure some beer drinking. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully the rain that's planned, won't happen. Damn April showers.</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-91913951978353067572009-04-22T18:36:00.003-05:002009-04-22T18:46:01.236-05:00Back at writing...Been away from the blog for a while.... I won't get into it in detail but "distracted" and "led on" feels like enough to say about it. Either way a little pain and a little heartache always seem to fire up the creative juices. I write better angry, and drunk. I can <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">always</span> edit sober. <div><br /></div><div>Just got back from d<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">odgeball</span>, only four players from the team showed up. Won anyway. Nice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Going to start writing seriously again, now. If nothing else for sanity's sake. </div><div><br /></div><div>To start, I need to begin my <a href="http://alcaniglia.tumblr.com/post/92913265"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Murtagh</span> List</a>, i.e. a list of "shit I'm too old for" -- things like Dawn Patrols. I certainly don't see myself abiding by this list all that often... good to have as reference though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, the book is getting going. I have at the very least one year at the new job (or more specifically February 2010), and while I'm here (and since there is so little else to do in this town) I am finishing this effort. </div><div><br /></div><div>It'll be ten years soon since the Chapter 1 happened. A decade feels like a good amount of time to have passed in order to accurately take stock of a situation enough to write about it.</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-65043531573873466782009-02-23T20:59:00.002-06:002009-02-23T21:05:25.426-06:00This is to appease Jay Lackey....This goes out to appease Jay Lackey, writer of <a href="http://slackeyjay.blogspot.com/">The Slack Files</a>, aka the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bain</span> of my blogging existence....<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'm writing this blog from a new location... Battle Creek, MI. That's right I've made the move and am no longer a resident of Chicago... I took the job as Brand Manger on <a href="http://www.leggomyeggo.com/">Eggo</a> which is owned by Kellogg's, which as you may know is headquartered in Battle Creek, MI. Hence the move.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I'm writing to you from a completely empty apartment (minus one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aerobed</span>) in the <a href="http://www.battlecreektower.com/">Battle Creek Tower</a>, where I plan to reside for the foreseeable future, although as of next Monday I hope it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">will</span> no longer be empty. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, in the spirit of making Jay Lackey happy, and a resolution to use this move to write more often there it is, my first post in WAY too long.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-5067857575654747402008-11-05T12:51:00.003-06:002008-11-05T13:21:40.798-06:00Amazing Epic ExperienceYesterday was November 4th. Election Day. Historic in its own right.<br /><br />But last week I got tickets to the Barack Obama celebration rally in Grant Park. <br /><br />Needless to say I was pretty excited. I wasn't sure what to expect. But I knew that I needed to experience this moment firsthand.<br /><br />Suffice to say it was an truly epic experience, one that I'll remember for a lifetime. <br /><br />The crowd was gracious, even reverent. And it was fatefully aparent that America has come together in a way it never has before. <br /><br />We've changed perceptions of our country, and our people, around the world. I'm glad I was a part of of. I'm pasting the transcript of the acceptance speech here, its powerful and worth capturing. I'll post pictures soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_1">Blue States</span><span style="font-style: italic;">: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I just received a very gracious call from </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_2">Senator McCain</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_3">Joe Biden</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next </span><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_4">First Lady</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_5">Michelle Obama</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_6">White House</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">To my </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_7">campaign manager David Plouffe</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, my chief strategist </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_8">David Axelrod</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_9">history of politics</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_10">Des Moines</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_11">planet in peril</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_12">Iraq</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and the mountains of </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_13">Afghanistan</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_14">Wall Street</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> while </span><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_15">Main Street</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_16">Republican Party</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> to the </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_17">White House</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_18">Democratic Party</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For that is the </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_19">true genius of America</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_20">New Deal</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_21">We Shall Overcome</span><span style="font-style: italic;">." Yes we can. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1225873753_22">American Dream</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."</span>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-23696077780970432132008-11-04T09:10:00.003-06:002008-11-04T09:15:05.275-06:00Big Day, Very Big DayJust got into the office, and I typically start my day with at least 15 minutes of browsing the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span>, i.e. fantasy football, headlines, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">facebook</span>, etc.<br /><br />Anyway today is different, see after waking up today I headed down to my local polling place and cast my ballot in the 2008 Presidential election. I proudly cast my vote for Barack Obama.<br /><br />No politician has resonated as much with me as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Obama's</span> has. He truly has a vision for this country, I certainly hope that this country embraces his message and I can be a part of helping this country grow and become a better place to live.<br /><br />Heading to the election rally in Grant Park tonight, stands to be an amazing day.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-2267025632662408662008-10-25T23:19:00.003-05:002008-10-25T23:33:55.847-05:00Night at the MuseumJust spent a night at the museum. Not in the Ben Stiller/ Owen Wilson sense, more in the I work for a company that does advertising for the <a href="http://www.msichicago.org/">Museum of Science and Industry</a>, and tonight was "family night", i.e. free night. Although it was weird that at least 85% of the people attending I've never seen around the office. Well, I hope they enjoyed it.<div><br /></div><div>First Foster and I saw the <a href="http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/coal-mine/">coal mine</a>, which somehow has been an exhibit since 1934 -- wouldn't quite a few of the visitors at that time been actual coal miners... they'd probably be calling bullshit, it'd be like an astronaut visiting Space Mountain, not the same.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next we hit the Omnimax, saw a movie called <a href="http://www.dinosalive.com/">Dinosaurs Alive</a>. Pretty good, narrated by Michael Douglas. So, I guess Paleontology is "good" as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caught the <a href="http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/u-505/">U-505</a> tour. I love this thing. Foster hates it. For some reason a 65 year old Nazi sub freaks him out. He believes the dramatic actors/tour guide way too much -- guess that whole we're not really under water speech flies over his head.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saw the train, the baby chicks, the <a href="http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/toymaker/">Toy Maker 3000</a> (which became un-automated and an Asian guy had to hop inside and shake the basket to get it working, ha).</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-56504450316461252612008-10-20T23:14:00.005-05:002008-10-20T23:29:12.224-05:00Bowling begins...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The "Why Not" Bowling league has begun. For me, it was a slow start. Game 1: 98. Game 2: 83 (8 frames of 9). Game 3: 164. How's that for inconsistency? More posts to follow.... I'm in charge of all technology (not sure what that conists of) so its probably a Facebook group.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jay Lackey, verteran blogger of <a href="http://slackeyjay.blogspot.com/">The Slack Files</a>, gave me some sound advice tonight on the blog. Namely:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1.) Add a pic to the profile (Done, supplied by Jay in fact)<br /><br />2.) "You need to get an intern on the task of snazzing up the look of the blog... the Minima template is so last year!" (Going to get working on this tomorrow)<br /><br />3.) You definitely have to change the order of "Blogs I Like" -- I'm third. More specifically, I'm third behind T-rel's blog. Not cool. (Again changed, but to the order of "most recently updated").<br /><br />4.) Blog about more cool shit (Try my best, need to stay dedicated).</span></span><br /></span></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-5834879527981068782008-10-06T23:56:00.003-05:002008-10-07T00:04:56.118-05:00Sports filled weekend & sad endingsCame into the weekend with nothing to do, hit Paddy Longs on Friday night. Watched the Sox, they lost. Headed out to the SW Side on Saturday, went to the eye doctor. Walked out with contacts. Sorta surprised by that, but so far so good. In fact, a lot better than glasses.<div><br /></div><div>I then proceeded to watch more sports:</div><div><ul><li>First, ND v. Stanford (ND won)<br /></li><li>A break and beers at the BACtoberfest at the Beverly Arts Center<br /></li><li>Cubs v. Dodgers (Cubs lost, season over yet again)<br /></li><li>Woke up, Bears v. Detroit (Bears won)<br /></li><li>Followed by Sox v. Tampa Bay (Sox won)<br /></li><li>Break for work, finish EFFIE<br /></li><li>Sox v. Tampa (Sox lost, season over)<br /></li></ul></div><div>That was a lot of sports. Chicago baseball is over.<br /></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-61091178604789920632008-10-03T23:49:00.002-05:002008-10-03T23:54:17.763-05:00Facebook FridaySpent the good majority of today in a meeting with Facebook, felt like they wanted to take all of our smart ideas from us, re-package them and sell them back to us... I'd predict now, that while popular, Facebook will be just the latest fad in social networking... Give it another 12 months.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the White Sox dropped the second game in a five game series with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Not good. As of right now both the Sox and the Cubs are both starting to look less likely to advance in the playoffs. That's sad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stayed up late last night talking. Told my story to Linds. Been a long time since I've done that, feels good, and at the same time still feels massive. We'll see what this weekend brings. </div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-471346020651905352008-09-30T23:11:00.002-05:002008-09-30T23:20:21.222-05:00Sox Win, First Items Get Added to the List<div>Today I went through first round of mock judging for the Eggo EFFIE. Went fine, going to end up re-writing more than I thought I would. No big deal, still over a week to complete it.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Came home, threw on the Sox game. It was the one game playoff between us and Minnesota for the AL Central.</div><div><br /></div><div>Great game pitched by Denks, and Thome hit the only homer and the Sox took the Division 1-0. Best part were the calls with Reidy, TK and Andy afterwards. One of those few games in the season that are sort of a riot act; do or die games happen less often than you think.</div><div><br /></div><div>Adding the first two items to the list as well today. Was debating getting a bike, but that's simply a commitment to stopping in and spending money. So, looking at it in terms of value added I'm adding only the following two:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Learn to play guitar, ideally at Old Town School of Folk Music</div><div>2. Begin writing my story down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd like to have both in progress by this time next week. Heading to the Cubs 1st playoff game tomorrow night. Should be fun.</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-67742501872479348912008-09-25T22:24:00.003-05:002008-09-25T22:33:03.798-05:00Time to start getting productiveStarted my 9th year at Leo Burnett today, more or less a third of my life. And probably arguable that its about half of one would say are years in which you have the opportunity to be "productive". Mixed feelings on this one.<div><br /></div><div>I spent the good majority of the day in the office by myself because almost all of the other Kellogg's team members were out of the office at the Morning Foods marketing conference. Not a bad thing. Certainly different.<div><br /></div><div>I've been making myself lists of things to do at work for all of those nine years. And not just a little, pretty religiously. Proof is in the stack of moleskin notebooks stacked next to my desk. Thinking about it, its a good strategy, forces you to keep things top of mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Going to start making myself lists of things to accomplish that isn't work related. Going to start getting more productive. No list to generate right now, but definitely still on that list... buy a new digital camera.</div></div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-64607416515622605022008-08-20T00:22:00.001-05:002008-08-20T00:22:28.321-05:00Awesome...<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0029257905?coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending">http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0029257905?coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending</a>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-33895404529125572352008-08-19T21:40:00.004-05:002008-08-19T22:06:01.495-05:00Olympics...Wow. Maybe I've never really "watched" the Olympics before but I'm finally starting to realize how big a "mind" game most of these sports are. <br /><br />In fact, I'd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">argue</span> that most of these sports are in actuality 95% mental, i.e. fucking with other people's heads).<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />1. It could be argued that all of these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">athletes</span> are to some degree all very much equal. And if you were able to somehow measure it you'd see that the the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">athletes</span> across averages (strength, training, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flexibility</span>, etc.) are all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">basically</span> the same.<br /><br />2. While its somewhat deceiving because of the way in which its broadcast, is that "through" the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Olympic</span> process you're only in fact "watching" the best, of the best, of the best compete for the gold medal.<br /><br />For example, I've been watching the 100/200 meter sprints. In the qualifying rounds you'll see the leader <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">purposely</span> slow down, turn around and stare the other runners down <em>before</em> the race is even over. Why would you possibly have any other reason for slowing down in a race that only lasts 100 meters?<br /><br />The best part is that the commentators continue to refer to the fact that these guys are slowing down because they're "saving energy". Really? Saving "energy" for a next race that's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">happening</span> the next day? For a race that only lasts nine seconds? <br /><br />So...let me understand. These finely tuned <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Olympic</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">athletes</span> need to "save" up energy to run another 100 meters. These are women and men who have "run" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">hundreds</span> of practice runs a day in the YEARS leading up to this event. Something tells me two days in a row doesn't matter.<br /><br />NO, the fact is the guys who win the races aren't in fact the guys who are the "fastest" on any given day they're just the guys who were the best at "psyching" out the most folks in the time leading up to the event.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Certainly</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">interesting</span> to see that the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">athletes</span> who garner the most media time always winning.<br /><br />I guess that Michael Phelps should thank his Coach AND his publicist.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-75545552604994332042008-08-07T20:40:00.001-05:002008-08-07T20:41:24.402-05:00Strinking close to homeThis is a little too much like my life...<br /><br /><object width="464" height="392"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/NTQyNjQ5"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/NTQyNjQ5" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess=always width="464" height="392"></embed></object><br><font size=1><a href="http://my.break.com/content/view.aspx?ContentID=542649">Creating A Stop Sign</a> - Watch more <a href="http://www.break.com/">free videos</a></font>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-78645151479644703892008-08-06T21:57:00.000-05:002008-08-06T21:59:22.485-05:00A band worth a listenLike jam bands? Here's one worth a listen:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.madsweetpangs.com/">http://www.madsweetpangs.com/</a><br /><br />Saw them play at the Bell's Brewery in K-Zoo, and it might be the Oberon talking but it was a sweet time.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-29387388568945696042008-08-03T11:22:00.000-05:002008-08-03T11:24:53.405-05:00An end in sight?Worst move (at least in hours spent moving) is finally nearing completion.<br /><br />Right now I'm borrowing some free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wi</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fi</span> and trying to stay cool before I undertake the task of unloading the last of the five boxes staring me in the face.<br /><br />Also, its surprising how interested you are in other things without cable.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-16839419237612824242008-07-30T22:28:00.000-05:002008-07-30T22:30:14.333-05:00Forthcoming....1. An update from the annual Crivitz trip...just as soon as my digital camera drys out, or I figure out how to get some of the pre-crash kayak pictures off the memory card.<br /><br />2. The greatest web page ever, <a href="http://www.sausage-race.com/">www.sausage-race.com</a> (of which I am now the proud owner).Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-63722283198915181622008-07-15T23:11:00.000-05:002008-07-15T23:24:10.042-05:00Good game day...Today at work I participated in a pretty cool activity called the Go Game (<a href="http://www.thegogame.com/">http://www.thegogame.com</a>)<br /><br />Spent the morning running around River North playing a combination of a scavenger hunt, The Amazing Race and Scatagories. I initially dismissed it, but it was a good time. It also proved to me that while I may no longer be very athletic I am still very well suited should I ever decide to participate in a game show. Then we had some beers, talked some shop, etc.<br /><br />Now I'm in the 11th inning of the MLB All Star Game, not a bad Tuesday.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810153707543882806.post-27264247907370810712008-07-15T00:14:00.000-05:002008-07-15T00:27:42.260-05:00I just realized...That productive days seem to back into one another, and that lazy days seem to beget even lazier days.<br /><br />In fact looking back on my life I've had vast days of productivity <em>and</em> I've had even more vast periods of 'lazy' days...arguably months...probably years.<br /><br />Now that I'm blessed with this knowledge one might argue that it'd be beneficial to just consistently stay productive. On the other hand something tells me that something as stupid as sleeping through my alarm clock is just enough to throw this cycle off. So why worry about it.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578259322326695737noreply@blogger.com0