Sweet Home Chicago!

Just got off the road and finished unloading stuff after a brief trip up to Minneapolis - Jamey Erickson invited a bunch of graphics professionals (and me) to critique his class's final projects and, having never been invited to one of these I was honored to make the trek up to attend. The kids had a wide range of skill levels but they all handled themselves pretty well in terms of presenting and talking about their work. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be to refrain from being overly critical, which is my natural tendency.

Needless to say, it is nice to be back amongst my tools and to have my napping couch at hand. Now to reintegrate my away gear into the office and get a couple of hours of work done!

Back in Minneapolis

Back in Minneapolis. It feels weird being here now and I think I know what the difference is - all my tools are now in Chicago, whereas before they were here. Home is where the tools are. All my monitors are back in Chicago, my printer, scanner, wacom tablet, etc. I packed really light this time as I anticipate it being a short trip and I'll be bringing some big items back with me (television, appliances, chrome shelves).

It's always a good visit stopping in at Big Time Attic. Zander and Kevin are always making SOMETHING entertaining. They're definitely in my heroes list. Something funny every few days, and their normal work which is sometimes funny too. Adam's in St. Louis, Gene's back in Chicago, Shad and Vinny are at Puny tending to the New Power Generation. It's funny how this little group has fared over the years.

Ywan...

Well, it's been quite the weekend. Good ol' Wirtzy came down from Minneapolis to play the hideout with his band Cap'n Yonder so I took a bit of time to show him and one of his bandmates around the hood. Had a sandwich at the cafe/deli, went to the lake and climbed on the rocks. It just so happened that Adam was playing the hideout on the same night as the Dirty Found show, which was totally, obnoxiously packed. Funny stuff though, definitely go if it comes to your town. And in the last bit of coincidence the ever talented Mary Nisi DJ'ed afterwards, although I was so pooped out by that point I went home.

Today me and Matt and Nick went to see Spider-Man 3. I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed the other movies, other than the Kirsten Dunst scenes. She may be a fine actress but in this series she's been cardboard. She was very good in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In the Spider-Man series she's not so good.

Tomorrow I'm heading back up to Minneapolis. A bunch of folks are critiquing some of Erickson's students' final projects, one of which I helped out some on. Plus I need to get my television and some udder stuff. If you don't know, I love you. Whoever you are reading this. It is true. Oh yes. Scout's honor. Cross my fingers.

Life and How To Live It

Well, it's been a long day but an exceedingly good one. Two very good naps, a bit of work, just finished a grapefruit, tickets to see Spider-Man 3 on Sunday. I'm apparently getting a credit on His/Hers, the HOT new EP from Zelienople - cello and gasp on the last track. I've been slowly increasing my number of productive hours each day and have apportioned a bit of time in the morning to guitarifying. No sense saying I'm unretiring or that I'm still retired. Just doing what I do.

Deviant Sex Act Fabricator

The boys at Aesthetic Apparatus have posted a Deviant Sex Act Fabricator. Funny stuff! Those guys have it figured out.