motorcade

I-675 [ uncrop, zoom out ]

President Bush was in town yesterday. Traveling between a speech about the Iraq war at the Air Force Museum and a fundraiser down the road. We crossed paths, kinda.

Somehow Dan and I managed to get on the highway at the exact point before they shut down all the exits and blocked the turnarounds in the median.

It was downright spooky: Our empty side of the highway and his procession approaching.

As we passed I can't deny a tingling sensation—likely from the notion that a v. powerful person in the world was in such proximity.

I had to respect that.

But I can't deny I felt immediately better when there was some distance between us.

I'm looking forward to some time apart as well.

Current music: The Dears "Lost In The Plot"

She almost always comes in town for the holidays

The lucky cats by the front door at Sizzling Wok

And though we talk a big game about going downtown and getting something fancy, we end up back at the chinese joint from our youth.

She's a little exhausted from trying to squeeze in visits to friends and family, but after a few rounds and some conversation, she's re-energized and we are 19 again.

Figuring out how to make the ourselves and the world better.

Previously, December 2004 (We still order from the menu, avoiding the sneeze guard on the buffet.)

Photoshop Express

It's kinda like Photoshop, but free, and without an installer disk

Got the news this morning that Photoshop Express is in beta and out publicly.

Most folks are familiar with Photoshop—so ubiquitous it's a verb. But it has traditionally been big and expensive and hard to approach. This new web version is none of those things—reducing options to simplify the interface and presenting tools as tasks.

And though we've had web applications that replicate word processing and spreadsheets, in my mind, this is the one that will begin to change how we think of applications and the internet.

It's pretty cool I think, and it's not because some of my photos are baked into the beta. Yep, thanks to the magic of fairies and good graces I have a couple dozen images scattered up there. From the home page to the sample image library you can open and play around with, you might catch some familiar images from the pages of this journal.

Go to the home page, click on the TEST DRIVE button, then click on MY PHOTOS. Select a photo and play with all the tools.

I have to grin a little, about having my images up there.

See, I love taking photos and though I want to be more serious about it, I know that many creative industries (selling music, writing professionally, and making photos) are in this big transition.

That's another story altogether, but a big part of this change is because of hobbyists—learning these crafts and finding knacks because of information that is shared online.

Golly I ramble.

The point is: I'm pretty sure the reason I was approached is because my photos don't look too professional. And I'm totally cool with this because I like the little flaws and bits of humanity that show through my work. (I even like my interface designs to have this quality.)

As more and more folks also learn the joys of making photographs, editing and organizing, the more need we have for tools that are powerful, simple and inexpensive. I know I'm a peace-loving tree hugger, but sometimes I have to think it's all interconnected, good, and moving forward.

Current music: Katy Perry "Use Your Love"

Cincinnati becomes a destination city

IKEA, OH

It seemed most everyone I know was giddy about the new IKEA going up in West Chester. Only the Cincinnati Reds could garner more opening day fanfare.

I've never owned any of this cheap flat pack furniture from Sweden (aside from bulk bags of tea lights), but as one who hopes to become a home owner in this lifetime (more on that in a moment), this megastore can only mean good things.

Don't warn me about varying levels of quality—I often lease clothing from Old Navy—I have tempered expectations.

So after everyone and my mom went (she got the 99¢ breakfast last week with my brother), I finally made it there Tuesday with my friend Wendy.

Sore calves later, I was overwhelmed and not even through a third of the joint.

Looking mighty forward to going back, and maybe I'll buy something other than tealights (again). Oh, and if you go, there's some cuteness working the cafeteria. Grab some meatballs while you're there.

In other news, the house deal fell through after inspection because it is our destiny to experience every. single. facet. of this home-buying process. The only thing we have left on the list is to actually close on a house so I think this bodes well in the scheme of things.

Back to IKEA: I took a few photos, some are colorful

Current music: Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Possess Your Heart"

The Breeders: record release party

At a Dayton V.F.W.

I've been pretty excited about this for a while and the day is finally here. The official word:

"To celebrate the imminent arrival of their new album, The Breeders would like to invite you to their official record release event. Join Kim, Kelley and the band to listen to a vinyl test pressing of the Mountain Battles album in its entirety."

So what's this have to do with me, aside from being a fan that's looking forward to the new album?

Well, I've been helping the band get their website online, taking photos over the past few months, and wielded a video-camera alongside Mando (bassist) to capture this release party.

If you've got a chunk of time to spare, you can hear the whole new album and watch it all go down.

I recommend headphones:

[ CHECK IT OUT ]

Anti-monkey butt powder

Not just for motorcycle and horse riders, but for the sendentary like myself

This weekend I attended a double birthday party where I learned:

1. Where to find delicious take-out lasagna in Dayton.

2. A product like Anti-Mokey Butt Powder exists. BUY it at Amazon*

I cannot currently give a testimonial for the latter, I'm told it works as directed.

I should mention I am gullible and also believe Head-On has magical, albeit temporary, healing properties.

Current music: R.E.M. "Living Well Is the Best Revenge" (La Blogotheque version)

* 6oz for $4.50 and I get a kickback. Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed: Inflatable Wife, Spotted Dick, and Nipple Extractor. (thanks for letting me know this latter factoid Mr. Pratt)

furry feathers

at least it wasn't raining

I don't even know what this bird was promoting, but the more I think about it... maybe this person just likes to dress up in a chicken costume and be in public situations.

Current music: Bang On A Can "Believing"

If I'm not here I might be there

Something that will deserve its own slice on this chart in the near future: Home Improvements

I like how Fish* puts ancillary links in his sidebar. I'm going to do that right here in case you ever wonder what I'm doing when I let my journal gather dust:

+ Recent activity on Twitter
+ Links on Delicious
+ Photos on Flickr
+ Images I like on ffffound
+ Videos on Vimeo
+ Random stuff on Tumblr
+ All these things wrapped up in one place at FriendFeed

Why all these sites? Each are tools that do different things, and do them relatively well. (Though I'm giving 'Delicious' the stink eye right now.) There is some overlap, but I like the compartments for now. Soon an enterprising company will bring these services all together in an extendable, online suite with questionable social hooks. You might say Tumblr already does this but I would beg for more features.

Until that day, we can try to figure out how to best present all this information in some neat visual package. I know I'm still trying to get my head wrapped these streams of content I make, and content I like. (I'll save the debate as to WHY anyone would want to share all this data for the sociologists and marketing department.)

So there I am, and there with bits of me there and there. Eventually I'll find a permanent home for these places, but until then I'll enjoy not committing anything until fully vetted.

Oh, and If you caught it on Twitter, you'd already know that the counter-offer for a house was accepted yesterday.

Yay.

* I know two men nicknamed Fish. One virtually, one I've hugged.

Current music: The Breeders "Bang On" [stream/mp3]

Op

Looks much better larger.

Joe from our favorite record store came up yesterday to use the scanner for an upcoming project. Along with a pile of artwork to digitize he brought along a few classic Ed Emberley books–none of which I'd seen before.

You might remember the name Emberley from a few mentions on this journal. Once in 2006 when I looked at the new edition of his Make a World book and my history with his drawing books, and recently when I was citing my influences in an interview.

Back to this particular book pictured, it was not about drawing—but a story laid out like a comic. Anytime this wizard cast a spell, the next spread would be filled edge to edge with an optical illusion. Good stuff, all.

In other news: We put in an offer on a house (no, not that one with the cool tub), and the counter offer was pretty abysmal. We'll counter again and keep at it and try not to get frustrated. I'm hopeful that it'll work out the way it should.

Current music: Nada Surf "See These Bones"

liberty

Tax season

I'm somewhat taken aback by all the places that have these promotional... things outside their business to attract customers. These things work, I'm sure. Likely more than those putrid neon signs that I need to accept as acceptable in the new MySpace era of design.

Not pictured: the people that are hired to wear sandwich boards–or worse–dress up in rented costumes outside these establishments and wave to passing traffic. One apartment complex by my own apartment complex has this person that wears a different costume every day: a bunny, a hippy, Uncle Sam. Always holding a plastic corrugated board that says, "#1 Apartments" or "Free Rent for the first month."

I'm not sure what disturbs me most, but perhaps it is that these things might be a reminder of the bigger issue: lack of business out there, or lack of good jobs.

Current music: Coconut Records "Its Not You Its Me"

In the land, of submarines

A peek inside a bathroom from our house hunt this afternoon

More photos

Current music: Beatles "All Together Now"

watchful

In the parking lot of the t-shirt distributor, this doggie watched my every move

Picked up more blank shirts this morning. We printed this afternoon, and sent them on their merry way before the work whistle blew. Thanks for all your orders this week, by the way—each one is super appreciated.

Along with the hum of production, there was the steady sound of rain today.

Kinda mellow, totally welcome.

hello spring

It was good to feel you today

Current music: Why? "The Vowels Pt. 2"

FIERCE

Another day

It wasn't so much the spoof on Saturday Night Live as it was an email from my friend Alex up in Columbus. She was wondering if there would be a t-shirt for Christian from Runway.

This wasn't the first request, but it hit me on a night when I needed a big diversion and Dan was out in rehearsal. What came out was so bang on we printed it up the next day in a boatload of colors, deciding bright red said it the best, "FIERCE."

Now available in men's and ladies sizes on soft, fitted American Apparel:
FIERCE the shirt or Make It Work

Current music: Goldfrapp "Some People"

it snowed

About 12 inches up in these parts [ + more photos ]

texture: grass

outside the library

Yesterday, a big deliverable shipped out the virtual door.

There's a bit of relief, but it won't last through the day. The whack-a-mole nature of things and all...

In other news, aside from the drama-free season of Project Runway coming to a close, I cooked rhubarb for the first time in my life yesterday. Nothing as extravagant as the blueberry rhubarb pie that Kevin made back in August, but tasty nonetheless. Simply boiled with a bit of water and sugar, served over pancake at much too late an hour.

Current music: Islands "The Arm"

Scientology's closed

due to thetans

You might be wondering, what is a thetan? (pronounced THAY-tan)

I was wondering the same thing when I walked to lunch this afternoon. Luckily the Wikipedia has an answer that works as well as Cliffs Notes did back in high school:

When a person dies – or, in Scientology terms, when a thetan abandons its physical body – they go to a "landing station" on the planet Venus, where the thetan is re-implanted and told lies about its past life and its next life. The Venusians take the thetan, "capsule" it, and send it back to Earth to be dumped into the ocean off the coast of California.

Wait a minute. That doesn't sound right at all. Here is how Scientology's "official site" defines it:

Man consists of three parts. The first of these is the spirit, called in Scientology the thetan (from the Greek letter theta, meaning "thought" or "spirit"), which is the individual himself.

The second of these parts is the mind. The thetan uses his mind as a communication and control system between himself and his environment.

The third of these parts is the body. The body is not the person.

The most important of the three parts of man is the thetan, which is the spirit, or you.

In other news, you might be wondering if I'm terribly upset about the results of the primary polling in Ohio yesterday.

No, not terribly.

It's like that bit in Adaptation about love in some strange way. And no, I am not in love with Obama.

But I dig hope.

I can keep that long after the results are tabulated.

In lieu of a lapel sticker

that felt really good

texture: gravel

driveway

I started making photos of things to use for textures.

Today was gravel.

Looking mighty forward to capturing spring grass.

Targeted

Left: Taking a picture of myself on security camera [ +zoom ]
Right: The beginning of swimsuit season [ +zoom ]

Dan and I ventured out yesterday for breakfast, and wandered around looking for houses, again. It's getting really old but we hope to be settled in time to put an election sign in our very own yard.

We also stopped by Target because that's what you do when you get a paycheck in these parts. Everybody was out clogging the shopping centers. Maybe it's the thrill of March and the end of glum winter.

I tried to buy some jeans, but you cannot be fat AND tall at Target. You must be one or the other, or shop online.

I did however, get a fountain drink. It was called Tava, a Pepsi product that touts itself as a zero calorie sparkling beverage. I had the Mediterranean Fiesta variety.

Website description: Black cherry hosts a festival of flavor, while the tang of tangerine and lime are the life of a spirited shindig. Tava Mediterranean Fiesta is a unique sparkling blend that leaves you with surprised taste buds and a thirst for the unknown.

Someone needs to fire their copywriter.

It tasted like diet cherry sparkling water with a splash of Mr. Pibb.

How boring, all of this.

Bring on spring.

Current music: Lyrics Born "Hott 2 Deff"

Art of Food

Hot about his product

That's John up there. You might have seen him from time to time pop up on these virtual pages. He married my friend Anne, teaches school, makes art, and can whip up a killer chocolate waffle. (He also made a favorite t-shirt I wear proudly)

Now I've seen his paintings in bits and pieces, but never been to a show of his work proper. That changed on leap day when he was part of a big show called the Art of Food down in Covington.

It opened yesterday with much fanfare (and calories).

Culinary samples from around Greater Cincinnati were set up in the main space of The Carnegie and flanked by galleries for each artist.

Everything was delicious, from art to food, but especially seeing old friends and shaking hands of new ones. Good times.

Check out John's meat and other photos from the opening

The show is running through March 28, 2008. More information at The Carnegie's site.