Quick Photo Study in Modern Americana

I switched offices for my petitioning work, and am now in one much less intense and much friendlier than the first (no more getting stranded in downtown Youngstown during hail storms). Now I'm working in rural areas, which is generally fine, but which also means more down time. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours in Bowerston, Ohio without anything but my cell phone camera to amuse me when people were scarce. So I snapped some shots and uploaded them to Flickr. Enjoy a quick study in modern Americana.

Technorati tags: small town, Americana, ohio

A Little Something Nice

Today I could use a little something nice, just to counteract all the other crap that insists on coming up. I think this story will do - the Porter County, Indiana library has lifted their ban on lending books to people in the local homeless shelter. One of those who spoke and acted out against the ban:

11-year-old Taylor Knoblock, along with his 9-year-old brother and 6-year-old sister, pulled a wagon around their subdivision near Valparaiso, collecting books and videotapes from neighbors to donate them to Spring Valley Shelter.

"I read in the paper that the public library wouldn't let kids from the homeless shelter check out books anymore," Taylor said. "I didn't like that idea, so I started to collect books for Spring Valley to have their own library."

That's It, Promise

Okay, I can't possibly resist posting a story about Ann Coulter's love of the Grateful Dead, but I realize the constant Coulter-ism needs to end.

Technorati tags: Ann Coulter

BLOGregard Q. Kazoo

Unbeknownst to some, I do in fact watch more TV than Law and Order - I also religiously watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Since I know a certain sense of humor is almost required to be able to read my blog, I think I can safely say to readers one and all that if you haven't seen this show, you probably should. It's a very funny and creative cartoon. And if you're already a fan, check out the official blog run by the creators, BLOGregard Q. Kazoo.

Yes, that's all I have to talk about now. Cartoons. My life is less than progressive at the moment.

Technorati tags: Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Cartoon Network, cartoons

Muchness

An annoucement to everyone who may possibly try to instant message me on AIM - Elizabeth now knows how to open my phone and press buttons, and has begun to sign me on to AIM without my knowledge. So if you IM me and get no response, or receive odd, seemingly encrypted messages - it's the baby girl.

Anyway, the last few days I have been working as a petitioner for a grassroots organization, simply and only because I need some extra money right now until a job comes through. It sucks. I am exhausted and suburnt and generally just sick of people. But some new freelance design gigs are coming in, and I should be hearing about two of my top job opportunities by next week at the latest, so I won't have to do much more of it.

If nothing else, however, this job did allow me to meet a rather crazy old black man in downtown Youngstown who told me all about his good credit and also his history of severe constipation requiring hospitalization and enemas. And when I mean told me all about it, he told me all about it. I enjoy the bizarreness of people.

Be patient with my and my blog ... I'm working on a variety of new projects, and hope to have about half a dozen new sites going soon. If I'm not keeping in touch with you well, rest assured things are okay, and will be even better shortly.

Make Your Own Necronomicon!

Here's today's craft project, boys and girls: Make Your Own Necronomicon! Yes, all that ancient evil is contained in six printable pages. Who knew. Note: Bruce Campbell not included, unfortunately.

More Ann Coulter

This blog is becoming at least 34% Ann Coulter, for some reason. I guess I can't help it if I find her so amusing. Eventually I'll get around to a full-length article about my bizarre fascination with her. In the meantime, Rollins writes her a letter.

Technorati tags: Ann Coulter, Henry Rollins

One Thousand Paintings

Some more mathematical art: One Thousand Paintings. Individual paintings of the numbers from 1 to 1000. This is probably one of those things you either get or you don't, but I think it's great. Too expensive for me to buy, although the idea is good ... I'm thinking of trying this to create a couple of pieces for my new place soon. (Note: the new place is at this moment mythical, but once a job materializes, which event I am confident will take place soon, I'll be able to make more solid plans. And paintings.)

Technorati tags: One Thousand Paintings, mathematical art, art

Mariska Hargitay

Today I happened to stumble across the website of Mariska Hargitay aka Olivia Benson on Law and Order: SVU - and I was very impressed by the fact that it's such a full-featured, interactive site, with a ton of information directly from the actresss herself, including a blog, as well as an entire section devoted to links to charities and helpful orgs. She also founded her own org, Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps survivors of sexual assault. When it often seems to me that some celebrities connect themselves with one or two pet charities almost exclusively for the press points, I appreciate finding one who seems to be very personally involved in her chosen causes, not to mention extremely aware of her role as a model for many types of girls and women. So I suggest visiting the site and checking out her resources - they're pretty thorough.

I also discovered that Mariska is the daughter of Jayne Mansfield, which is cool, and that a large portion of the site visitors think Benson and Stabler should date, which is insanity.

Technorati tags: Mariska Hargitay, Law and Order: SVU, activism

Grab Bag

I'm back. With a grab bag of articles and other assorted items of interest I've been reading and/or experiencing lately:

1. Steve Buscemi's Golden Rules of Filmmaking. I'm interested to see him go further in directing, he seems to be very knowledgable and passionate about it. And he points to the Golden Rules to end all Golden Rules, those of Jim Jarmusch, who, among many things, has always been proof to me that something awesome can come out of northeastern Ohio.

2. Popurls.com. Has become essential.

3. The only mention I'm going to make about the whole immigration situation is Marginal Revolution's Open Letter. Sums it all up, and has the expertise to back it up.

4. Roller-Derby Psuedonymns for Literature Majors. This, by the way, has become a new interest of mine - those in the area should also check out the Burning River Roller Girls, a new roller derby league getting started in Cleveland. They're having some cool concert fundraisers.

5. Ann Coulter throws down with Hilary Clinton. This is so fantastic. I love Coulter catfights, but with Hilary? It's this individualist feminista's entertainment dream.

6. Had an interview yesterday for my ideal job ... went well, I believe, but think lucky thoughts for me anyway. I can always use some more.