Return of The Silver Zephyr

Nightmare Playgrounds

2008-04-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

This is the type of thing my Mom thinks is funny. I agree. Funny-disturbing. Funny-sad. And maybe Funny-disturbing once again. Check out these playground sculptures. I'm scared and

I'm an adult!

What I've Been Looking At Online This Week...

2008-04-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

1) I've reading been enjoying Edward Keenan's Act Like A Man (found via Jezebel, another favorite). Check out his well-conceived essay (and don't forget to read the intelligent commentary at the end) on Man V. Guy for a discussion I haven't heard expressed much in media, though I and my lady friends talk these issues every single day...sometimes more than once.

Keenan writes: "The innovation of guyliness as a standard way of living is that it takes the boyhood shunning of responsibility and consequences and makes them permanent, celebrates them as values and mocks the self-importance and antiquity of anyone who thinks that’s a problem...Is the same true of women? Not that I can see, really, or at least not to the same extent. There is no great epidemic of women abandoning their children to just flake out with their friends. Women are afraid of growing old in many ways, but they aren’t so afraid of growing up...I know women who are flaky and screwed up, but they aren’t that way on purpose—they don’t reject the very idea of adulthood as a tool of oppression trying to padlock their individuality."

2) Poppytalk Handmade Blog is the blog portion of the indie artist storefront. I've found many wonderful new artists through this site, which generally points you towards an individual seller's etsy page. I find etsy very hard to navigate (there's just too much!) on it's own, and this helps narrow the field. The theme this month is a Mothers Day and Kid's Market...and there are, of course, too many adorable, creative items to mention here. Check out a few in the picture.

3) The Ephemeral Mailbox Museum is my friend Niku's wonderful, whimsical etsy shop. Her stuff sells out quickly, so if you see something you like go for it. I really dig her handmade buttons and her plushies.

The Promise Of The Future

2008-04-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

I love these.

“The kitchen of tomorrow is calling me!”

“Kitchen of the Future” from Czechoslovakia (1957). They got the induction oven and internet shopping right. Not so much with the punch cards.

A Frigidaire Promo (1956) seems to feature the same kitchen from the above video but with way snazzier production. Also included is the Monsanto House Of The Future (1957). With “Plastic dishes of course!”

Ah, the miracle of plastics!

Make The Logo BIGGER...

2008-03-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

I've been a bit neglectful because I'm doing alot of posting over at the new Bitch Blog! Particulars are in the previous post. But I just had a laugh until I cried moment just now listening to "Make The Logo Bigger" via How About Orange. For anyone that does anything involving graphics, it rings all too true...

New Bitch Blog Is Live!

2008-02-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

The new Bitch Magazine Blog section is live! Please read it! And not just because I'm posting to it (The Love It/Shove It Blog). You can also read founder Andi Zeisler's personal blog. Stay tuned for more stuff to come as the site slowly becomes a media center for cultural and feminist issues. Don't worry - the print edition will still go on. There's still no substitute for holding actual paper in your hands.

Jason 4 Austin

2008-02-20T12:10:00.001-08:00

Austinites! Jason Meeker is running against Lee Leftingwell for Place 1 on Austin City Council. Jason does wonderful PR work for Responsible Growth For Northcross and has been an integral part of the organization opposing the ill-fated Wal-Mart on Anderson Lane. I know the guy personally and I like him. His heart is in it and he is pro-neighborhood and smart development. I don't know if you're ever spoken to or emailed Lee Leftingwell, but the guy is gruff and standoff-ish, not to mention swayed by forces that do not have Austin citizen's well-being in mind. He doesn't stand up to developers and is a pretty weak future mayoral candidate. I'd like to see a fresh face on City Council personally. Here's Jason's website and here's some info from him you might find interesting:

"Guess who wrote a check for $600 and gave it to Lee Leffingwell? J. Bruce Scrafford. (Who's that, you ask?) He's the lead attorney for Lincoln Property -- the company that's trying to force a two-story Big Box store into the Northcross area against the wishes of no less than five neighborhood associations, and thousands of Austin citizens. As you may have heard, we battled him in court recently. J. Bruce Scrafford wrote his check, because he knows what kind of city government he wants. And that's just one of the insiders backing Lee Leffingwell."

I had personally emailed Leftingwell regarding the proposed Wal-Mart development and received a very nasty reply, so he's hardly my favorite city official.

Edible Googley Eyes!

2008-01-31T10:42:00.001-08:00

Great tutorial on making edible googley eyes. I mean, isn't that pretty much the best idea you've read about this week, nay this year so far? From The Evil Mad Scientist's Blog, where you can find many other enterprising projects (check out these "Lego Abominations").

Product Report: ZuZu and Burt's Bees

2008-01-08T09:46:00.001-08:00

Burt's Bees is no longer making concealer or powder. But they have a new Super Shiny lip gloss that is really nice & light. I found it at Target.

I've also been using ZuZu Luxe as a base and concealer. I'm really impressed by how "clean" (few ingredients) the products are. It's a tiny bit "dry" for me because it's oil free - that's my only complaint (most people will find that benficial I am sure). I bought it at Whole Foods. The eyeshadow is excellent: it's not a loose powder (that often drives me crazy because it gets all over the place) and shimmery rather than glittery. All of it is reasonable priced (for that kind of thing).

Sad...

2008-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

A judge decided for The City of Wal-Mart, I mean, Austin...an honest to God little slip up there...in the lawsuit that Responsible Growth For Northcross brought against the city citing that they improperly accepted an illegal site plan for the new development. Construction is sure to begin soon as the Sports Authority, which sits on top of the soon-to-be Wal-Mart was cleared out and closed. We look forward to our neighborhood becoming increasingly shittier. Yay. With a recent upswing in crime including many robberies, an assault or two and petty theft (someone siphoned the gas out of our car last week), I fear our little area of North Austin, though not always the most beautiful or cleanest, may be headed downward rather than upwards...only time will tell, I suppose. But it ain't looking good.

Anyhow, there is an RG4N meeting to discuss the court decision and where to go next on January 11th. Info here.

Old News: The US Could Give A Shit About Its Citizens (esp. kids)*

2007-11-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

*Unless they are fetuses. But once you're born, you're screwed!

This story I heard on NPR the other day is a MUST LISTEN. It is an interview with Mark Schapiro who wrote Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products. It will piss you off if you have kids. It will piss you off if you don’t have kids. This shit has been on my mind for many years particularly as of late. And it makes me beyond angry. I’m angry that Frankie used plastic teething rings. I’m angry that he had a toy that had been recalled (and yes, he chewed on it). I'm angry that no one is looking out for our safety. I’ve been hearing about pthalates more & more lately (the substance that makes plastics pliable). So, they are banned in Europe because they can cause damage to children’s endocrine system (particularly from ages one to three). The thing that gets me the most? Toys can be produced without this chemical! And it doesn’t affect the cost. The same toys – made in China -- are produced and sent to Europe without pthalates often in the same factories as those produced with pthalates. Schapiro talks about how the industries have been “bluffing” for years that increased regulations will cause their businesses to fail, but what’s happening in the EU has proven otherwise. Schapiro reasons that the EU’s different way of thinking has a lot to do with a universal healthcare policy. Countries who provide healthcare for its citizens are looking to the future – if these products cause cancer or other problems, they will be taking care of it twenty or thirty years from now. God, I am so ready to move, aren’t you?

*Oh, btw, no one regulates cosmetics in the US. You’ve all heard me on my soapbox about products. But there’s lead in a lot of lipsticks, ok? This website is great for product evaluations and I use it plenty: Environental Working Group's Skin Deep.

I’ve done a lot of looking around for non-awful products and have settled upon this paraben-free regimen. If anyone has any additional suggestions, let me know! The hardest product to find is base/concealer (if you're not into usingn the mineral base).

*Burt’s Bees Translucent Power
*Lavera Mascara
*Jason Esther C or Dessert Essences Face Wash
*Baking soda mixed with above for “scrub”
*MyShelle Sunscreen & Moisturizer (great stuff, but pricey)
*Kiss My Face Shaving Lotion
*Better Botanicals Dandelion Moisturizer
*Burt’s Bee’s Lip Sheers
*Burt’s Bees Chapstick
*Afterglow Cosmetics and Larenim Cosmetics Eyeshadows (mineral)
*Afterglow Cosmetics Winter Warmth (mineral)
*Kiss My Face Eye Repair Crème
*Jason Naturals Vitamin E Cream (night)
*Essential oils for fragrance
*Lotion-365 Body Lotion (Whole Foods)
*Soap-365 Soap (Whole Foods) or Method Bloq
*Tom’s toothpaste and mouthwash
*Burt’s Bee Baby Shampoo/Lotion for Frankie; Jason Vitamin E Cream
*7th Generation/Mrs. Meyers/WF and some Method cleaning products; Bon Ami; EO (made for WF) soap for floor

Evo Launched Today

2007-11-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

Evo is a new consumer website that rates products on how "green" they are...kind of a shopping guide for us armchair environmentalists. I'm so busy getting freaked out about toxins in personal products, I have a lot less time to get freaked out about everything else these days. The idea is a good one and I was particularly interested in the toy section. Founder Dan Seigel claims (via Treehugger), "...our toy boutique offers 5,000 unique, earth friendly toys from more than 50 vendors. Every toy on evo.com has been prescreened and hand selected to be lead free and nontoxic, so parents can minimize the fears caused by all the recent toy recalls.” Also, if you create a profile, they'll apparently plant a tree.

Support A Fair Farm Bill!

2007-11-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

Call to action!

Just take a moment (seriously, five minutes is all) and call your local senator to let them know how strongly you feel about the "Grassley-Dorgan" amendment to the Farm Bill.

From Environmental Working Group (one of my favorite groups of people...I use their Skin Deep database to research any beauty/personal care products I buy before purchasing):

"The "Grassley-Dorgan" payment limit amendment will: -Support local farmers markets and community-supported agriculture -Assist farmers converting to organic -Prevent mega-farms from getting millions of your tax dollars by capping payments at $250,000 per farm -Put more healthy, U.S.-grown organic food on your family's table"

The Farm Bill has been getting alot of attention this year partly because of increased interest and demand for organic products and a better understand of how harmful pesticides are. It's a good thing because I think we've all learned quite a bit about how screwed up agriculture subsidies have become (and are just one of the many reasons for obesity and poor nutrition in this country). From New Farm Legislation Is A Lesson in Power Politics by Daniel Weintraub (The Sacramento Bee): "The ill effects of farm subsidies are well documented. In Florida, subsidized sugar farming is blamed for the destruction of a wide swath of the Everglades, while sugar-price supports have prompted some candy companies to move their plants and jobs to other countries where they can buy sugar more cheaply. On the other side of the health ledger, nutritionists say that subsidized corn – converted to corn syrup and other sweeteners – is a major reason that packaged and fast foods are cheaper than fresh, promoting obesity."

We're all familiar with the high prices associated with organics and trying to work with the small, picked over fruit and vegetable sections at more affordable grocery stores like HEB, as opposed to Whole Foods and Central Market. If we can allow subsidies to go to farmers who are actually making food that is good for us as opposed to, say, SUGAR, everyone benefits.

(What I find really interesting/confusing about the amendment is that one of the sponsors Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has actually received a ton of farm subsidies himself. According the the USA Today story "Farm Payments Benefitted Legislators" - big surprise there - he received $878,854. "The payments went to Grassley and his son, who has a separate farming operation in addition to a partnership with his father.")

Fiesty Fest - Sun. Nov 11th

2007-11-07T11:58:00.001-08:00

bbic baked goods jpg, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Calling all Austinites! Make way to RG4N's Fiesty Fest this Sunday, November 11th at the Triangle Park to suppor their lawsuit against Wal-Mart (court date - next week!). Featuring live music from: Wendy Colonna, American Graveyard, Shane Bartell, Slim Richey's Jitterbug Vipers, porterdavis and Jim Hightower will speak! In addition, supportive Austin vendors will also be there including members of the Austin Farmers' Market. Admission is free.

There will be a bake sale that will feature fine items from Bawk Bawk Ice Cream Industries (yours truly)...so stop on by and have a bite or two against Wal-Mart's nasty, processed, chemical laden food and their neighborhood hatin', pollutin', bullyin', women-unpromotin', non-health care payin' asses!

Catalog Choice

2007-11-07T05:38:00.001-08:00

You may have noticed the influx of unsolicited Christmas catalogs making their way into your mailbox and wondered how can I get rid of these damn things? I read about Catalog Choice via Angry Chicken. Everytime I get a catalog I put them in a pile; eventually, I carry the pile to my computer, log on, enter them into my account on the site and indicate I would like them cancelled. Then, I dump them in the recyling bin. Since I have just started this process and the site is fairly new, I have yet to see results. But I have high hopes and I think Catalog Choice deserves recognition for providing a valuable service. Negatives: I have encountered some problems navigating the site, but I think that is the Websense software on my work computer clogging things up. Also, though they have a large selection, they do not have every single catalog in their database. You can request that it be added. Positives: Duh. Less waste. No more stoopid catalogs you don't want to look at in your mailbox. And hell, if you're like me and you enjoy Design Within Reach, but don't like to be depressed that everything costs $1,000 ("within reach" my ass), cancel that shit so you don't have to look at it!

Ummm...so is it weird to be in love with dish towels?

2007-10-25T09:14:00.001-07:00

tree dish towel, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

But they're soooo cute. Doesn't that make it okay? I wish I could buy fabric by the yard with some of PataPri's designs.

Cheerleading for Girls!

2007-10-17T12:13:00.001-07:00

personalcreations, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

For some reason, we get many ridiculous catalogs, particularly around Christmas. We received one from "Personal Creations" the other day that was particularly terrible. Almost all the personalizable items featuring a human character allowed a choice of "blonde or brunette" (but not the, you know, race of the human or anything like that). And then there was this little gem, which states this item is available for "Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, Football, Running and Golf for Boys. Cheerleading for girls." I mean, c'mon, not even Softball? This made Dave and I both laugh and cry.

Seriously, I Need To Stop Looking At Design Sites

2007-10-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Yeah, thanks a lot Design* for making me want beautiful things I can't have! I can't help but share this amazing flip clock by japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara.

There are 84 original drawings that appear by each hour and minute. Has anyone seen or made a flip clock DIY project? I wonder if you can buy the mechanism and create your own?

Three Potato Four

2007-10-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

I love this new online store Three Potato Four filled with wonderful new and vintage items with great design. I've been in love with these vases from for J. Mendicino since I first saw them.

And this bag is cute, sophisticated and makes me pine for a midwestern autumn. Sigh.

Now if only I had any cash.

Obsessed

2007-10-05T12:05:00.001-07:00

gocco, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I've been kind of obsessed with Gocco Kits and prints in the past couple of weeks. It looks like so much fun! I love the artwork that I've been seeing on etsy and it seems incredibly versatile. My understanding is that at one point the company that created these back in the 70's was going to stop making them but there was such interest from the craft community they are still being manufactured. Anyway, check out some of the swank art below. All of the artists have stores on etsy.

From Loaded Hips Press

It's only a matter of time before I get on of these from apak

I ordered a print from ink designer and it was super cute and well done.

Eight Random Things

2007-09-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Stuck Up Girl tagged me to share eight random things about myself and pass along the task to others.

Here’s how this is supposed to work:
1. Post these rules before you give your facts
2. List 8 random facts about yourself
3. At the end of your post, choose (tag) 8 people and list their names, linking to them
4. Leave a comment on their blog, letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Here goes!

1. I still really like stickers
2. I’ve played a show in Antwerp Prison twice with two different bands and had every enjoyable dinners with some of the inmates (in the opening bands)each time. When I went with The Bad Apples, the opening band named themselves The Crazy Bananas (or something like that) in homage to us.
3. When I was 15, I spent a summer in Greece with a family that did not speak English in a small town called Larisa.
4. Though I am anti-animal breeding, I secretly want a Scottish Fold or Bengal kitty (no offense, Angus and Malcolm)
5. I once drove across the country with rockabilly icon/weirdo Hasil Adkins.
6. My Mom is a very talented artist who can blow glass, make jewelry, take great photos, make prints...
7. That one half of my family is Italian and the other half is Polish, but my great-grandfather grew up in France and remembered the war, poverty and starvation from his youth so clearly, he’d often cry at the end of our meals together because there was so much food
8. The first seven inch record I bought was “We Are The World”.

Wow…I’m sure everyone found that riveting! I don’t know eight people to tag. Doh! I’ll have to work on it.

"You're only gonna be famous for another eight minutes..."

2007-09-26T06:16:00.001-07:00

The other day, a friend at work read me a very amusing, bitter letter from The Austin Chronicle. We both appreciated how the author made his salient points over and over again, as well as the frequent profanity. If all Letters To The Editor were as good as this one, I'd read them every day. Here is the link to the webpage. And here is the letter, from the Sept 7 - 13th issue.

Date Received: Wed., Sep. 12, 5:02PM
EXHAUSTION? REALLY?

Dear Editor,
I laugh heartily at the various cancellations for this years Austin City Limits Music Festival. "Exhaustion"? Are you fucking kidding? I have played music for 20 years and find the exhaustion excuse foolish and irresponsible. I am an Austin musician. Like most Austin musicians, I have a day job. My day job happens to be a cook. So, in my 13 years here, I have worked 12- to 18-hour shifts, loaded my drums, brought them to the club, played them, broke them down, unloaded them at home, than returned to my job several hours later. For no money. That's the going rate in this town to play, by the way. Nothing. These White Stripe/Winehouses we are currently dealing with are beyond comprehension. These assholes do not set up their gear. They do not transport their gear. All they have to do is exit their air-conditioned hotel room, pick up their perfectly tuned instrument, and wank for 45 minutes (as I feel the Stripes do). That Winehouse flash in the pan only has to poorly lip-sync to a silly record she put out. Now listen, as I said, I have played music for a number of years in this town and other towns across the U.S. Yes, you party. Yes, you feel exhausted. Cocaine, alcohol, and a host of other intoxicants will bring about a feeling of exhaustion. Who fucking cares? Play, bitch! Your responsibility is to strap on your instrument and play for 45 minutes in front of adoring fans, exit the stage, and collect a staggering check. If you cannot meet these silly requirements, then fuck you! I work 12 hours a day, lug my gear down to the Hole in the Wall, wait around for two hours with no drink comps, play a smoldering show, and get nothing. These assholes are turning down six figures cause they are "exhausted.” Wanna see exhausted? Try my life. Try any Austin musician's life. We're exhausted, you asshole. Giving interviews between margaritas and rails might be exhausting, then you have to get in your limo to the show, where all your gear is set up, and you just have to plunk out your derivative foolish shit for 45 minutes. Then return to your hotel while someone far more talented than you breaks down your gear. Have some gratitude for the fortunate, unearned life that has been dropped into your lap, and play the show. Besides, you're only gonna be famous for another eight minutes. Look some people in the eye that got suckered into buying your trash, and rock them. You can't play 45 minutes because you're too "exhausted"? Gimme a fucking break. -Justin Andrews

Rockabilly Singer Janice Martin Dies At 67

2007-09-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

Rockabilly musician Janice Martin died Sept. 3rd from terminal cancer. Her first single was released when she was just 15 years old (though she had been performing long before that). She returned to show business in the late seventies and has been rockin' ever since. At the time of her death, she had several shows booked.

"Beat a woman? Play on. Beat a dog? You're gone."

2007-08-22T05:35:00.000-07:00

Loved Sandra Kobin's insightful take on the NFL's punishment of Michael Vick.

"Might it be that domestic violence and spousal abuse is so pervasive in sports that it's simply too costly for leagues to suspend so many men? What would happen after all if those poor dear teams couldn't fill their rosters?"

Read the article here on Women's ENews, a site I link to all the time.

Patricia Waller

2007-08-14T06:38:00.001-07:00

waller unicorn, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I like her stuff. Check it out.

Favorite Artists Of The Week

2007-08-02T06:44:00.001-07:00

I read alot of design blogs during the day and envision all the possibilities and diy projects that I never have time for. I keep a folder of ideas for "my next house". I love the wide range of art and new artists that I'm exposed to while doing all this, uh, research. Like Jaime Zollars. Her work is whimsical without being overly cutesy. I particularly like this piece below called "Homecoming".

I also discovered Julie Knoblock today. Her Etsy store is called Tummyache. Though I'm not quite as impressed by the execution, her work really appeals to the my sense of humor. I thought about getting this one for Frankie, but then wondered if it was too twisted for a two year old's room.

And finally, check out Matte Stephens and his 60's/70's-rrific pop art.

The "A" Word

2007-06-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

Women's ENews has an article on popular movie Knocked Up's pro-life message.

"Judd Apatow's "Knocked Up," a raunchy comedy in a cinema near you, turned abortion into the "A" word, in league with the "N" word and other epithets so taboo as to be bracketed off from regular speech.

This is a particularly pointed attack on choice given the central drama of the movie. This is not a movie called "Let's Have a Baby" or the "Blessed Event."

This is a movie called "Knocked Up," which means it's a head-on encounter with an unwanted, unplanned pregnancy where a termination would at least be given some consideration. But instead abortion is treated as unmentionable."

Read the article here.

Glass Beach

2007-06-12T08:39:00.001-07:00

glass beach 2, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Tucked away behind chemical storage tanks in Port Allen, Kauai, is this unusual beach. It looks dingy from far away, and there was a creppy abandoned car with it's windsheild smashed in at the entrance...but on close inspection, the entire stretch is littered with beautiful pieces of sea glass and worn bottle caps. This phenomenon came about because it's the site of a former dump. Gross as that sounds, it was really neat and wins the award for the most surprising cool thing to see on Kauai.

Details

2007-06-12T08:35:00.001-07:00

IMG_3907, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Again, from the church in Kapa'a. I like the idea of bulls as angels. It looks like he's delivering an important envelope!

Graveyard at Church in Kapa'a, Kauai

2007-06-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

IMG_3904, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I'm not sure what the name of the church was.

View From Hanakapi'ai Beach in Kauai

2007-06-12T08:25:00.001-07:00

IMG_3925, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

We just returned for a two week stay in Kauai, Hawaii on Sunday. While there, Dave, my Mom and I hiked four miles of the Kalalau trail up the Na'Pali coast. We intended on hiking eight miles, but had to cut it short due to the muddy and dangerous conditions. This beach is two miles in and was our turn-around point. We didn't go in the water due to poor swimming conditions, but the non-sand portion is covered with gigantic pebbles that remind me of dinosaur eggs and give the whole area a pre-historic vibe.

Limitations

2007-05-23T11:31:00.001-07:00

limitations, originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Image care of LOL President!

Protest At Wal-Mart - Saturday May 19th @ Noon

2007-05-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you in Austin without napping babies, please attend the protest at the Norcross Wal-Mart on Saturday May 19th at Noon. For those of you who may not know, Wal-Mart threatened everyone opposed to them coming into the Northcross location (including city council members) with lawsuits and basically said if neighborhoods didn’t go along with their plans, they would “take away” all the (really SMALL) concessions they made. So basically, let me translate this for you. Wal-Mart said “f*ck you” to concerns from Austin citizens living in the neighborhoods directly impacted by their store’s affect on traffic & crime (after sending out these cheery announcements to everyone in the zip code claiming they “worked with neighbors”…guess that didn’t work!) Yeah, they’re pretty cool that way.
Here is some annotated information from Responsible Growth For Northcross:

We are organizing a one-hour protest at the Norwood Wal-Mart Supercenter this Saturday afternoon from noon to 1:00 pm to keep the pressure on Wal-Mart. Please come help us send a clear message to Wal-Mart that it cannot threaten Austin and its neighborhoods. The neighborhoods of Northcross have rejected Wal-Mart¹s plans for Northcross Mall. Wal-Mart should either work with us to truly address concerns or abandon altogether its plan to locate at Northcross.

So bring your family, friends and neighbors this Saturday, May 19th, to the Norwood Wal-Mart at 183 & I-35 (1030 Norwood Park Blvd.) at noon. We will protest on the sidewalks along Norwood Park Blvd, not on Wal-Mart property. We will obey protesting rules:

* Stay on the public sidewalk or within the first 10 feet directly adjacent to public street if there is no sidewalk.
* Do not block driveways or access.
* Stay out of the street.
* Ignore any counter-protesters or rude passersby.

We will have signs and water (but it¹s always good to bring your own). Wear red. Help us make this protest so loud it¹s heard all the way to Bentonville.

Read more about it here.

Boo Hoo

2007-05-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

A big ole sarcastic cry of pity for Joe Francis who is "having such a rough time in a Florida jail that he recently told a psychiatrist that suicide was a possibility if his imprisonment was prolonged."

"The porn impresario, who this week finishes a 45-day sentence for criminal contempt, also told Dr. Ronald Markman that he was being housed with "all murderers" in his section of the Bay County lockup. "I started freaking out and screaming, I couldn't breathe," said Francis. "I don't think I can handle this on a long-term thing--I'm not a criminal."

Actually, yeah, you are. So shut the f*ck up you big baby.

Read his psychiatric evaluation and the rest of the article over at Smoking Gun.

It's Not Quite What You Think...

2007-05-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Library sets up sex line to raise cash

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 -- This isn't the typical whispering you might expect to hear at a library. A library in Vienna is setting up a sex phone line to raise cash.
Vienna's City Hall has launched a 'sex hotline"' to raise money for the capital's main public library, officials announced yesterday. It's unusual, but it's not particularly raunchy: Callers pay 39 euro cents (25p) a minute to listen to an actress read breathless passages from erotica dating to the Victorian era.
City Hall set up the hotline earlier this month to help the library raise cash for planned remodeling and expansion, Austrian media reported.

More

I Find This Humorous

2007-05-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

"The National League is abuzz over the early performance of the 22-10 Milwaukee Brewers. Apparently, they’re not satisfied to kick ass, they want to be elbow deep in it. The Crew is offering free rectal exams at Miller Park on Tuesday..."
More

Rodney

2007-04-27T12:39:00.001-07:00

baby squirrel 2
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

That's what I've named the baby squirrel that lives in the tree next to my building. I took these pictures from my office -- he tends to hang out and eat stuff in the afternoon right outside my windows. He's so adorablez I can barely stand it!!!

Hello Come Uppance

2007-04-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I have good days. When I read articles like these.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Blowing his nose and wiping away tears, the multimillionaire founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" video empire pleaded guilty to contempt of court Monday and was sentenced to 35 days in jail. Continue reading...

All I can say is...35 days isn't enough. But I'll still enjoy it.

Cases of Forced Abortions Surface in China

2007-04-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

Morning Edition, April 23, 2007 -- Dozens of women in southwest China have recently been forced into abortions, some late in their pregnancies. It's not the first time a local government has been accused of such an action, but it's surprising because China has relaxed its law that limits each family to one child.

This is a difficult piece to listen to but I'm glad NPR ran it. I cried all the way to work. It's the only time I've heard Steve Inskeep issue a warning before playing a story.

Listen here.

NIH Will Review Contractor's Work On Chemical's Risk

2007-04-19T09:17:00.001-07:00

From The Washington Post:

“The National Institutes of Health says it will review the work done on a chemical called bisphenol A by a contractor hired to assess its health risks. The agency fired the company because it was also doing work for the chemical industry.”

“Herman Gibb, the president of Sciences International, called the firing "unfair." He said his company's work for BASF predated its federal work on bisphenol A, and he described an 11-employee firm where workers assigned to federal jobs were unaware that other employees were working for industry. None of the science was compromised by the firm's business ties, he said.”

Right. I’m sure in a workplace with *eleven* employees, they don’t know what’s going on with every single person!

“Gibb acknowledged that his company was working for three chemical trade associations at the same time it was performing federal reviews of two chemicals linked to those groups.”

I know this sort of thing occurs frequently and it’s nothing new. But I can’t help but be continually shocked that our government is willing to let people suffer (and die) at the hands of the chemical industry. It’s so disheartening in my battle to try and control chemicals in my food and home. I’m not a purist. I don’t have the time and energy to research and control every substance. And even if I did, things that are deemed ok may not be. Also, due to the expense of buying all organic products, I'm just not able to all the time. I try to buy organic or local if price permits. It’s such a frustrating exersize, I almost want to say what the hell, I’ll just eat all the pesticides. What does it f*cking matter?

I'm In Ur...

2007-04-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

evolved thumbs
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

These continue to crack my ass up. Seriously. I don't care how played out it is. Here's more of the same (kindly sent from friend Chris R). This one reminds me of Angus!

Why Does Being A Musical Genius Also Mean You're Bat Shit Crazy?

2007-04-13T07:53:00.001-07:00

phil 2
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I mean, if you're on trail for murder, you might not want to look the part.

Spring Roses

2007-04-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

pink roses before 3
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I've got a rose bush in the backyard with 30-40 buds just waiting to pop open. Any day now...

"Little Joseph" Candle Holder

2007-04-02T07:39:00.001-07:00

little joseph candle holder
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I just love this creepy candle holder. The eyes...so dead...so alive...so going to come to life in the middle of the night and stab you. I must have one!

Who Needs The Pawn Shop?

2007-03-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

You can just sell your baby to the state of Texas! The stunningly brilliant Texas Senator Dan Patrick is sponsoring S.B. 1567, a bill that was referred to the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. It calls for the health department to "develop a program to encourage pregnant women to place their children for adoption rather than have an abortion... The program must include a $500 payment to each woman who is a resident of this state and a citizen of the United States who places a child for adoption rather than have an abortion." Obviously it's ridiculous and just another thing to make getting an abortion even harder than it already is. But I suppose it's creative!

More Brit Brit

2007-02-26T07:19:00.000-08:00

I very much liked Heather Thompson's take on Britney:

"You wouldn’t have ever found me out at night flashing my bare vagina, but so what? I did things that were far worse, a lot of yelling, a lot of walking away, a lot of wishing I had never had a child. But I forgive myself for all of that because I was sick. I am not that person anymore. I wasn’t that person before my breakdown, and I’m doing everything I can to not ever become her again."

Read the entry here.

Though I can't imagine the magnitude of either Britney or Heather's depression, after I had Frankie I suffered from depression as well. Even with the support of friends and family, I felt shitty about Frankie being sick (he was in the NICU for a month & a half), about my life being turned upside down, about not sleeping. And I felt like my body had failed me in producing a sick baby, too. What would be crazy is having a baby and reacting with an "Everything's Great" smiley happy face when your body and life are so totally out of whack. I don't think most people understand how common a problem this is for most women.

The Shins V. Pernice Brothers

2007-02-22T10:07:00.001-08:00

The Shins vs pernice brothers
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Anyone as disappointed with The Shins' Wincing The Night Away as I am? After the first four songs, which are rather nice, I feel…honk-shooooo, honk-shooooo…soooo sleepy. What annoys me too is that the quite similar and overall better Pernice Brother’s album, Live A Little, which came out last winter, never got the sort of media attention or promo opportunities The Shins are now receiving. Why? Because the Pernice Brothers ain’t pretty. The Shins are relatively cute. Having seen them live (and they were great btw) I can tell you this is even a really flattering picture of the Pernice Brothers. Their new bass player has a mullet and looks like he may have been in Toto (as Dave so astutely pointed out). Yeah, I know this focus on appearance is nothing new, but I think we forget it affects dudes too.

Kittehs

2007-02-16T05:43:00.001-08:00

scottish fold
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I'm sort of obsessed with Scottish Folds.

Blondes Have More Fun

2007-02-14T10:35:00.001-08:00

I veer between feeling sorry for Britney Spears (people take advantage of her!) and being very angry at her (she has kids!). Here I go being all puritan, but when you have kids you really shouldn’t be out every night exposing your lady garden (as Amy Poehler so elegantly put it) or in a state of half dress. You have a responsibility to not be photographed in your underwear out at a club. And really, is that so hard a goal to accomplish? Does she have people watching her kids at night? Sure she does. And I’m sure they are confident and capable. But it’s also important to be there for them at night, when they wake up and are scared. I’m no stranger to celebrity gossip - I like to read about ugly dresses and ridiculous break ups and get togethers as much as the next person. But this is not just a girl in an ugly dress. I'm starting to feel guilty and concerned. It’s not at all entertaining to see someone’s breakdown being broadcast for public consumption. And yet, it’s hard to look away.

I actually feel a lot more sorry for Anna Nicole Smith, a Marilyn Monroe wannabe who stopped going to school after 8th grade. Though it’s embarrassing to admit that I just read 5 or 6 pages of a court document on Smoking Gun outlining her relationship with J. Howard this morning, doing so led me to conclude she was certainly entitled to some cash after his death -- and to have the relationship acknowledged. Apparently they had a relationship for three or four years (he was even planning on adopting her son) before they were married and it was pretty clear to both parties what the terms were all along. Anna Nicole wasn’t smart enough to survive on her own, but was smart enough to find someone who could help her and it does seem as though she had genuine regard for her protector. All in all, she seems to have turned out more like Jayne Mansfield than Marilyn, though all met with curious deaths. Perhaps Britney will be next?

This sorta makes me want to stop reading celebrity gossip. Sorta. Can I be reformed?

Wal-Mart Protest @ Northcross

2007-02-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Frankie, Dave, Dave's Mom Judy and I went up to the "Arms Around Northcross" protest at Northcross Mall. I was surprised to see so many people on a cold Saturday morning. It was actually very inspiring. They did indeed have people around the entire mall -- in total, around 2,500 people. And yet the TV news coverage I saw via the internets was really shoddy and liked to focus on the fact that ther weren't MORE people. 2,500 isn't enough??? Gosh, I wonder if Wal-Mart happens to advertise on these stations. They focused on either teenagers that were there (?) or the radical contingency who are all "No Corporations!". Sadly, that was a tiny percentage of the people there - most were families who don't want to see their neighborhood deteriorate. Geez, what a bunch of crazies, right? The Statesman again gave poor coverage of the event and story in general (an article in the business section after they were announced as a tenant practically crawled right up Wal-Mart's ass & their understanding of events is pretty poor), not a surprise for the conservative rag.

Why, God, Why?

2007-02-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

So, Molly Ivins has to die instead of Karl Rove? "Why doesn't Karl Rove get cancer?" I asked my friend, Dirty Weekender. "Yeah, he should have cancer of the soul" she answered.

Molly remembered here.

I'm A Big Quittin' Pants

2007-01-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

Ok, as some of you know, I was on the steering committee and BOD for RG4N (see previous entries on anti-Wal-Mart activities) and, well, I decided to stop. Yes, I am a quitter. I was really happy to be a part of it and the cause is a noble one, but it was becoming too time-consuming. I hated being that person at the meeting who fell silent when tasks were delegated. I was adamant about not biting off more that I could chew, but I started to feel guilty about it. And then there were the emails that I couldn’t keep up with combined with my increasingly crazy work load. Meetings went on for hours every Sunday night. If I were single, this wouldn’t have been a big deal. But it involved giving up time with Frankie, who I barely see during the week these days, and with Dave. I think, were this organization more like Ladyfest (i.e. more drinking and fun) I may have stuck it out. I understand that while this is serious business (and not a music festival) that requires serious effort for me, personally, to become really involved with something, I need to feel like I have a connection with the other people outside of the cause. That when I see them, they’ll say, “Hey, How’s Frankie” and I’ll ask them how their day at work was. It’s not that people were unfriendly, just, focused…really, really, really focused. I need more of a balance. I need more….silliness. At least for once in my life during meeting, I felt like I may have been the most laid back person in the entire room!

Too Many God Damned Hippies

2007-01-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

I found myself getting somewhat excited by the Coachella line-up even though it’s the sort of thing I would never in a million years attend. I mean, geez, Interpol, Sonic youth, Brazilian Girls, Peaches, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Blonde Redhead….aye aye aye! But of course reality sets in and I remember why I hate outdoor festivals of any kind:

1. Too many hippies: You could be going to a punk rock festival and still, like moths to the flame, there would be a hippie infestation and more often that not, a drum circle.
2. Bathroom situation: Look, I’d rather make use of the inhuman conditions in the Emo’s women’s bathroom than a portapotty that 1000 hippies have already been in.
3. The Sound Sucks. Seriously, the sound travels out of the amp, out of the speakers and up, up and away, into the sky. Bands sound good surrounded by walls. That’s why they record in studios, not open fields.
4. The six dollar beer. And dammit, it's always Bud Light.
5. Again, too many hippies: I can’t emphasize this one enough, people.

San Diego to ban Wal-Mart Supercenters

2006-12-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

Yay for San Diego!

SAN DIEGO - The City Council here voted late Tuesday to ban certain giant retail stores, dealing a blow to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s potential to expand in the nation's eighth-largest city.

The measure, approved on a 5-3 vote, prohibits stores of more than 90,000 square feet that use 10 percent of space to sell groceries and other merchandise that is not subject to sales tax. It takes aim at Wal-Mart Supercenter stores, which average 185,000 square feet and sell groceries.

Full article here.

No Wal-Mart at Northcross Meeting!

2006-11-29T05:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, it’s been a while and I’ve been busy! I’m now part of the group Responsible Growth For Northcross and we’re mobilizing against the Wal-Mart anchored development. There is a Community Forum Meeting at 7pm at Grace Church of the Nazarene tomorrow (located at 1006 W. Koenig) for all who want to help and discuss the situation! Please visit the website: www.responsiblegrowthfornorthcross.org for more details. We need everyone in the community’s input and help to stop this independent business-eating, environmentally disastrous, union-busting, minority-hating, crap peddler!

The Evil Empire Rears Its Ugly Head...

2006-11-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

And the crazy thing is that I'm not even talking about Republicans!

I just found out last week that Northcross Mall, an old, dying mall down the street from me is getting a new tenant. Wal-Mart. For those of you who do not know, I live in a fairly dense, urban area in the north part of Austin with a good deal of traffic and many thriving local businesses. Obviously, this news made my stomach hurt. This is not what our community needs for many reasons – poor labor practices, traffic problems, destroying local merchants, environmental hazards, not to mention there is a Wal-Mart about ten minutes away. Just imagine the joy local residents will feel at hearing refrigeration trucks unloading goods at 3am!

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of anger and organization. No neighborhood associations in the area were informed (Wal-Mart claimed they had done so). The Austin City Council, bless their corrupt little hearts, kept it hush-hush until it was announced suddenly as a “done deal” in an Austin American Statesman piece that read like a Wal-Mart press release. Sure, there had been rumors. But to go from rumor to reality without anyone being made away of a site plan – that’s a problem. And the residents of Wooten (including me), Allandale, North Shoal Creek, Brentwood and Crestview agree.

Here’s a tidbit of information about the Austin City Council’s involvement. There has been a proposed “big box ordinance” kicking around for the past year or so. This would give citizens a voice in influencing developments which affect them. It was apparently “good to go” with a hearing phase on June 12, having gained the required written approval of all city department heads. Yet despite pleas to move it, the proposed ordinance sat in limbo for over two months, finally being posted back to Planning Commission's Codes & Ordinances Subcommittee on August 15, six days after Northcross site plan was approved. Another two months went by before the proposed ordinance could be heard by the full Planning Commission on October 24; then, before the proposed ordinance had even been posted for its City Council hearing,
Lincoln Properties announced that it had inked the deal with Wal-Mart. Coincidence?

I wrote the each City Councilperson with my opinion on the way this went down. Here is my response from Lee Leftingwell. Think I’ll be encouraging anyone to vote for him in the near future?

From: Leffingwell, Lee [mailto:Lee.Leffingwell@ci.austin.tx.us]
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2006 1:49 PM
To: Anna XXXXXXX
Subject: RE: Council Member Lee Leffingwell - Walmart Development at Northcross

The tentative plan for a WalMart in Norcross mall was published in the Austin American Statesman about 6 months ago. Lengthy article. As far as I know, there is nothing more than that - a tentative plan. So your suggestion that City Council members withheld information is misinformed. To my knowledge, no application has been filed with the city, nor has a proposed site plan.
Thanks for your comments.
LL

I don’t think he really meant the part where he thanked me, do you? I was quite tempered in my response, considering the guy is a complete liar. The approved site plan for the Wal-Mart at Northcross (SP-06-0041C) was originally filed on 2/10/06 and the applicant requested an extension on 7/20/06; the site plan was approved and released on 8/9/06. I guess the fact that I didn’t happen to read the Statesman that day means I’m a stupid, out of it loser!

If you are a resident of the areas in the vicinity or just a concerned citizen of Austin who thinks this is bullshit, I would encourage you to help us out. We are organizing several subcommittees to battle this development. Updates to follow!

I'm In Your PC...Stealing Your Internets

2006-11-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

sammich
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I'm not sure why I think this is so hilarious. But I do. Does this this mean there's something wrong with me?

Vintage Crafts!

2006-10-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

I love weird vintage crafts, don't you? Check out this Flickr Group for great ideas like the one pictured here!

Republicans Eff Up

2006-10-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

You’ve all heard the news: Mark Foley, a now former representative from Florida, was busted for emailing and texting sexually explicit messages to a White house page, who was 16 at the time. Apparently Speaker Dennis Hastert was made aware of the situation last year and the only reprimand Foley received was that he was told to stop messaging the boy. Foley is believed to have hit on more than one page in the past, and continued to do so after being warned. The most disturbing part of the story: Foley was the chairman for the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children. This morning, NPR played an eerie clip from four years back: an interview they’d recorded with Foley in which he explains how the internet is a dangerous tool that predators use to pick up children. I guess he knew more about that subject than anyone suspected!

ABC News article here.

ABC News reported Friday that Foley also engaged in a series of sexually explicit instant messages with current and former pages, all male. In one message, ABC said, Foley wrote to one page, "Do I make you a little horny?"

In another message, Foley wrote, "You in your boxers, too? … Well, strip down and get relaxed."

It really says a lot about our political system that the safety of children is a lower priority than one man maintaining his power (in a close race, of course). This from a party than (unsuccessfully) tried to convince us that every child is sacred, from the moment s/he is conceived! I’m a little surprised that Republicans didn’t see a serious problem with future political consequences. That could have been avoided while, hey! protecting kids *at the same time*. Would Democrats do the same thing? I’d say that’s a guess. On one hand, I think they’re more aware of the potential problems with scandals like this one and the fact that they actually fund some children’s programs might indicate they’re slightly more concerned about their welfare. On the other hand, they’re politicians like the rest of ‘em. Man, I’m freaking sick of those Republican moralists…bible thumping to all of us, then cheating on their wives, stealing money and hitting on kids. And they had the nerve to complain about a blow job?

You know, I can't even derive any joy out of Republican losing their seat this way. It's just awful and sad and disturbing.

You Know Where You Can Stick Your Freedom Tower?

2006-09-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Building a gi-normous tower (plus four smaller ones) on the site of the World Trade Center is just plain gross. Rather than build a park, install a sculpture or some piece of public artwork than might induce quiet reflection and reverence for the innocent people who died, we must construct a bigger, grander, brighter monument to capitalism? Because if we don’t, the “terrorists have won”, right? I’m no commie, but this place is a gravesite for thousands not “prime real estate”. The federal and NY State governments have recently agreed to occupy about half the space. Not surprisingly, many employees have said oh hell no!

From the NY Times article Employees Say No to Freedom Tower:

“I will not be able to work there,” said Ely Yulman, a tax auditor for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, which lost 40 employees in the World Trade Center. Mr. Yulman said he survived the attack only because he was out of his office in the south tower on the morning of Sept. 11.

“I have strong feelings of personal sorrow,” Mr. Yulman said. “The people who were there on Sept. 11, 100 percent they will oppose this idea.”

The Positions

2006-09-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

Yay…a fun new pop band. I’m a sucka for a honey sweet female voice and a kicky beat. The Positions are reminiscent of bands like Beulah (they have a prominent horn section), and the Ronettes (the rhythms and arrangements are soooo fifties) and I’m convinced that they are made of cotton candy. Here are two tracks from their new album bliss!

Back To Me
Bliss

I Love A Good Pop Song

2006-09-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

brigitte b
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling quite yé-yé today. If you’re not, these will bring out your inner Frenchie. And perhaps go-go dance.

Brigitte Bardot – L’Appareil A Sous

Francois Hardy – Pourtant Tu Aimes (I Still Love Him)

Christine Pilzer - Ah Hem Ho Uh Err

(Until I figure out a better way to host mp3 files, I'm using filelodge.com)

More Cute Crap To Buy

2006-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with Modish, a site focusing on indie goods. It’s the reason why as soon as money comes into my PayPal account, it goes right back out again. I’ve discovered some beautiful/cute/pretty jewelry, stationary and t shirts as a result of Jena’s posts on her fab finds.

Letters To Christopher Walken

2006-08-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

tapdanceforever
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Friend Chris R. gets my award for craziest internet sites found. Seriously, most of the great shit I'm sent comes from him, including this one. Check out these "Christmas letters" to Mr. Walken.

Cat Herdin'

2006-08-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

EDS commercial on cat herding that I discovered via That's So Sophie, one cat's blog.

Threadless

2006-08-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

a jerks
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

My friend Niku introduced me to a brand new way to waste time. I thought I knew all the angles, but I can’t imagine a better way to blow the afternoon than rating t shirt designs. I ordered this one for Frankie.

The Crane Wife

2006-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

So I just got the new Decemberists CD in the mail: their major label debut *The Crane Wife* which will see release October 3rd on Capitol. I was late in coming to this band as I often am due to the sheer volume of music out there the fact that initial listens left me cold. Too theatrical and disingenuous I thought. But after listening to their third full-length *Picaresque*, the literary nerd inside of me eventually won out. *Crane Wife* is a rock opera of sorts, drawing from a Japanese folk tale for inspiration. There are several variations of the story, but the basic premise is that a man who lives by the sea finds a sick crane on his doorstep and returns the creature to health before releasing it. The next day, he then finds a young woman on his doorstep, falls in love with her and they marry. She sets about making a sail and asks him not to ever visit her while she is weaving. He does not obey her wishes and discovers that she is actually the crane. Because he violates the promise, she flies away. The Decemberists’ Colin Meloy re-imagines this tale on a grander scale, adding, as he is wont to do, some murder into the mix. The album sees the band move from “quirky” to ambitious. The theatrics are there, but broader, grander and classier. I doubt you’ll find the band in costume on their upcoming tour (dates listed below). The songs are epic and beautiful, the language simpler and less florid than that on previous releases. The music has never sounded better – it’s a whirlwind of baroque pop with more seventies rock flourishes than one might expect.

08-23 Seattle, WA - Woodland Park Zoo
08-26 Salem, OR - Oregon State Fair
10-17 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
10-18 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
10-19 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theater
10-21 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
10-22 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
10-24 Austin, TX - Stubb's10-25 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Ballroom
10-26 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
10-27 Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
10-29 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
10-30 Washington, DC - 9:30
Club10-31 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theater
11-01 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
11-03 New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
11-04 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theater
11-05 Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis
11-06 Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
11-07 Pontiac, MI - Clutch Cargo
11-09 Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater
11-10 Columbus, OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
11-11 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater
11-12 Minneapolis, MI - First Avenue
11-14 Denver, CO - Paramount Theater
11-16 Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater
11-17 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater
11-18 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom

Ken Lay Is Alive And Well

2006-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Nice.

Lay's Timely Escape

2006-07-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

So, that asshole Ken Lay had to go and die before serving his prison sentence, didn’t he? I’m sure he willed himself that heart attack to get off easy. The bitch of it is that because he died before sentancing, his likely criminal conviction will be “vacated”. This will make it very difficult for the government to get their hands on his money.

"You can't have a criminal case without the criminal, and the criminal's gone," says Sam Buell, a former Enron Task Force prosecutor who now teaches law at George Washington University. "That means there's no more criminal forfeiture" of assets, he says. (from USA Today)

However, this could mean it’s easier for the victims to get a chunk through civil law suits.

Houston lawyer Thomas Ajamie says that for plaintiffs' lawyers, "It's a little easier to get at that money now that he's deceased, because the government's not going to go after it." (From USA Today)

Either way, I hate him for having the f*cking nerve to die.

"Our Hearts Fucking Leap With Joy"

2006-07-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

deadwood1
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Sometimes, I don’t always catch what’s said on Deadwood…the dialogue goes by so fast. Thank God someone out there takes the time to transcribe the episodes and put them in word documents. Hallelujah!

Blog Roll - Class of 2006

2006-06-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

I remember, years ago, reading blogs that that listed their own blog rolls and thinking they were impossibly long. How could one person read so many in one day? And then, I became one of those people. Once I thought about all the blogs I looked at for about 1-2 minutes per day, I had quite a list. And, yes, I do know that I have a problem with celebrity gossip.

Everyday (not weekends):
The Superficial
Best Week Ever
Cute Overload
I Blame The Patriarchy
Decor8
Modish
Perez Hilton
Page Six
Dooce
I Watch Stuff

Sometimes:
Fabulist
Defamer
I’m Just Shy
Swamp Things
All Cupcakes, All The Time
Treehugger
Daddy Types
The Panopticist

Websites:
Domino
Martha Stewart Living
Girlshop

The Pop Universe Continues To Expand

2006-06-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Headlights (Champaign, IL)
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I’ve been feeling very positive about the quality of releases from new (and old) pop bands I’ve heard lately. I mean, it is SUMMER, the perfect time for basil mojitos, swimmin’, mowin’, meat eatin’ and pop listenin’. Here’s what I’ve been lending an ear too:

*The Headlights - “Kill Them With Kindness” (PolyVinyl) – Got this one in the mail and hadn’t heard anything about them. I stuck it in the player was instantly impressed. I get at least one or two CDs a day and 90% of them suck, so imagine my joy. They’re from the Midwest (Champaign, IL) and remind me of Of Montreal and Broken Social Scene a bit with their melodious approach to gorgeous, orchestral pop. Super catchy!
*Camera Obscura – “Let’s Get Out Of This Country” (Merge) – Glasgow’s Camera Obscura has hit their peak. I’m sure they hated those Belle & Sebastian comparisons in the past but they’ll like this one: Let’s is about 8 billion times better than anything B & S have done in a long time. The 1950’s sensibilities and snarky lyrics make it one of the best records of the year so far.
*1900s- “Plume Delivery” (Parasol) – The 1900s are an “it band” with seven members and lotsa buzz from Chicago. About half this EP is right-on with dazzling harmonies and a baroque folk/pop bent. However, when they let their psych tendencies intrude, things get a little hinky. Still, a nice first run and a band worth keeping your eye on.
*Grizzly Bear – “Yellow House” (Warp) - Beautiful, atmospheric pop that floats like the fluffiest white clouds in the sky.
*Psapp – “The Only Thing I Ever Wanted” (Domino) – Like Solex, Psapp combines an array of electronic noises, samples and beats with female vocals for a jumpy, funky, completely irresistible outcome.
*Hidden Cameras – “Awoo” (Arts & Crafts) – Folky & infectious pop from a Toronto collective of musicians

Did I mention ice cream man chasin’? Chocolate Taco, here I come!

Nut And Bee

2006-06-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

nutandbee
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I spend a lot of time visiting “crafty” sites because, well, I’m at work for eight hours a day in front of a computer and I haven’t reached the end of the internet yet. Plus, I love ordering from independent artist-type folks. One of my most recent finds is the wonderfully adorable stationary and artwork of Annette Lauder at Nut and Bee (in New Zealand). I almost didn’t want to share it with anyone and hog it for myself. I ordered the monkey and octopus stationary and a “sleepy sloth” print for my son’s room. Everything is very reasonably priced and the shipping ain’t bad either, believe it or not.

In Defense of The Superficial

2006-06-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of the website The Superficial (and other celebrity gossip blogs like I Watch Stuff and Best Week Ever). It skewers celebrities in a fashion that is mean-spirited yet self-deprecating. I wasn't really surprised to see that Bitch Magazine (which I write music reviews for as well as the occasional piece with friend Dirty Weekender) dissed my daily read in their recent Style & Substance issue in the article "Web Spite". Author Judy Berman writes "Countless sites-among them A Socialite's Life, Perez Hilton and The Superficial post candid pictures of famous, invariably female folks and then subject them to merciless critique. Although it could be argued that these sites help put American culture's worship of celebrity in perspective...that tends to be a byproduct of their real mission: to reduce female stars' worth to their physical appearance and fashion choices."

By poking fun at Ashley Olsen's get-ups and Paris Hilton's nipple slips, I disagree with the assessment that The Superficial makes a statement about women's worth based on their appearance. It skewers the inherent ridiculousness of celebrity culture, including their outfits and obsession with their appearance. Furthermore, to leave out from the discussion the point of view from which the site is written is negligent. Part of the site's appeal is the author's persona as loser and voyeur. He often portrays himself as a pathetic, Jessica Alba-worshiping, Kirsten-Dunst hating loser who has delusions of grandeur about his masculinity. I understand that Berman might argue that the author's criticisms are not intentional but still harmful, but it's not difficult for intelligent readers to ascertain that calling attention to inappropriate outfits only reminds us of just how out of whack the system of celebrity worship/disdain is. Enjoying the Superficial does not make me anti-feminist; it means I have a sense of humor.

Marc Boutavant

2006-06-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

Marc Boutavant
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

I've been very much enjoying the artwork of French illustrator and comic artist Marc Boutavant. I tend to like whimsical art and animal drawings, so it's no surprise that I find his illustrations so delightful. See more here.

Deadwood returns...cocksuckers!

2006-06-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

You watched the season premier of “Deadwood” last night, didn’t you?
I’ve only been waiting for a freakin’ year and a half to see Hearst meet with Al Swearengen, the particulars of Alma and Ellsworth’s marriage arrangement and to listen to Calamity Jane’s drunken witticisms. “Big Love” bumped Deadwood four months forward and it’s been an impossibly long wait, particularly since the aforementioned multi-wived show smells like cat turds. I’m continually impressed by the Shakespearean dialogue, which makes the violence seem downright poetic. It’s on Sunday nights at 8pm, as if you didn’t already know.

I'm In Love With The Modern World

2006-06-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Modern Furniture Set
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Hey...how come my dollhouse furniture was never *this* cool? Start the kiddos on this stuff and they'll spend a lifetime coveting Eames.

New Anti-Abortion Pill...

2006-05-11T05:23:00.000-07:00

This is one of the funniest Onion articles I've ever read. And so sadly on the mark!
"New Anti Abortion Pill Kills Mother, Leaves Fetus Alive".
Well done, Onion, well done.

Wait…I AM a Hollaback Girl!

2006-05-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

Women’s ENews (a fabulous website for lady-centered news) featured an article about women taking pictures of their harassers with cell phones and cameras then posting them on blogs to out the leering jackasses they encounter daily. This gives women a sense of power in the situation: they take charge by turning around and taking the picture, thus confronting their aggressor (to see this in action, read a recent entry from Twisty on I Blame The Patriarchy). Men don’t understand how even a single comment supports the entire aura of fear that constantly surrounds us. Hopefully, becoming the object might give some men pause before they decide to do it again. In general, I like this concept, though I think extreme caution should be exercised, particularly, as the article notes, when women are alone or in a potentially dangerous areas…which, in turn, kind of makes the whole idea a lot less powerful. You can fight back, but only if there are a lot of other people around, thus reminding you of your very powerlessness. Women have to make the choice between taking a stance and getting raped, it seems. Great. I was momentarily uplifted, but am sad once again.

So Where Am I Supposed To Buy Tiolet Paper?

2006-05-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

I was reading this article today on Alternet about Target being no better than Walmart when it comes to union-busting activities, refusing to pay a living wage and using part-time so that they don’t have to pay for healthcare. I always suspected this was true but sometimes I like to put my hand over my ears and say over and over, “I’m not listening I’m not listening I’m not listening.” I’ve done that quite a bit in general lately because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be alive. There is interesting commentary at the end of the article, much of it expressing frustration with the greater system that makes stores like Target possible. Big box retailers are just a part of a greater problem – consumer culture. It goes beyond the ridiculous circle of we have to go to Target because that’s what we can afford and then we’re just supporting the very system that underpays us in the first place argument. It’s our unquenchable need for *stuff* to define and placate ourselves – myself included. What’s worse is that while being conscious of my own consumerism, I still engage in it. Because my family is about to cut back to one income for a few months, I’ve been thinking of all the things we purchase that we don’t need and I’m hoping that living on a very fixed salary with absolutely no room for anything extraneous will be a good lesson in What Not To Buy.

Yet Another Reason to move to Canada

2006-03-23T05:47:00.000-08:00

The National Mitten Registry! Reuniting the bare-handed with their lost mittens! Note: The National is even a "conservative" Canadian paper. Even Canadian conservatives love their mittens. Cheney would never wear mittens. He wears leather gloves so that no evidence is left after strangulation. Don't want the folks from CSI tracking fibers and what not.

If Dave Really Loved Me

2006-03-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

Then he'd get a tattoo of me in a bra on his arm, like Tori Spelling's new husband did. The tattoo actually looks better than Tori Spelling in person.

Separated at Birth

2006-03-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Holy Crap! Conan O'Brien DOES look like Finland President Tarja Halonen!

Claymates Beware

2006-03-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

So, apparently, you can be sued for being gay? Or even if people just *think* your gay? In an insane turn of events, rumors of American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's sexual preference has induced homophobic fans to file a class action lawsuit. "A spokesman for the group said, "As consumers, we feel ripped off. It is obvious now that the private Clay is very different from the manufactured, packaged public Clay who was marketed to us." What? Celebrities might be portrayed as different than they really are? Holy Crap.

Cat...In Sink

2006-03-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

Malcolm In Sink
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Dave claimed that Malcolm slept in the sink all the time. I denied this, having never witnessed the act. And then he presented me with photographic evidence. So, apparently, Malcolm has a secret life while I am at work.

You Don't Know Dick!

2006-02-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

NEW! Dick Cheney action figure -- "Dressed in jeans or Urban Camo pants, Shotgun, T-shirt and Retractable kick spike shoes"!

Ms. Film Festival Starts!

2006-02-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Y'all. The Ms. Films Festival has begun! If you're in the area, please check out some of the events, and read my interview/article with the head honcho Niku Arbabi "The Ultimate DIY Gal" for Venus online here.

This Just In!

2006-02-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

The Chinese have just banned content depicting human actors with animated characters. CGI and 2-D characters alongside human actors jeopardize "the broadcast order of homemade animation and mislead their development," according to a report from the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

"Chinese regulatory authorities are notoriously skittish regarding broadcast and film themes that include the supernatural or fantasy, including talking animals. "Babe" was banned on the basis that animals can't talk and some viewers would be confused."

Chewbacca's Blog!

2006-02-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

Another good link from dirtyweekender: Chewbacca's Blog

Cats!!!

2006-02-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

My new Favorite Blog: Cats In Sinks. That's right. Cats...In Sinks (basins too!)

I Blame The Patriarchy

2006-02-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

I've already recommended this blog to most of you...and I know I'm Just Shy already is a fan...but it's one of the best written blogs out there so I'm going to risk repetition and show the link yet again for I Blame The Patriarchy. It's full of Patriarchy Hatin' Goodness and about 90% of the time I feel like Twisty is stating exactly how I feel but, like, 200 times more eloquently than I ever could. Plus, she knows a good sandwich (and lives in Austin).

Where I've Been...

2006-02-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

I've been off running a conference for work (a user's group for our customers), as I do every year, which explains my recent absence from all things computer (and, uh, fun). This year's was particularly horrid as the hotel we held it int treated us quite poorly. I -- and my boss - ended up having to get ugly to get things turned around. My boss was quite a bit more imposing myself as he is much taller. Contrary to popular belief, I don't enjoy having to be "nasty" and sadly, in this case, the result was ass-kissing. I didn't want THAT - I just wanted them to do things right in the first place. Anyway, the upshot is I'm back! Hoo-hah! I'm happy to put the stress behind me and move on. I have no idea what happened last week, but I hear Dick Cheney shot a man. Unfortunately, that man was not George Bush.

Swimming + Tent = FUN

2006-01-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

Dirtyweekender sent me this link for “WholesomeWear” swimsuits a while ago and I’ve always intended on posting it. As she so succinctly put it, “If I ever make it to Hawaii...I'm ordering some wholesomewear. This is like, the burka of swimsuits.”

Laugh or Cry?

2006-01-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

From the “only in Waco, TX” files, comes this gem: “Hooters to receive blessing – from priest”.

“God's image is in all of these folks,” Rozycki said.

Dooood...I totally saw God between that gal's boobies...

Newest Pet Peeve

2006-01-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

People who still wear their sorority/fraternity stupid event t-shirts…even to work out in. If you’re over thirty, you should no longer be sporting your Signa Alpha Phi Naked Rake Fighting t-shirt. Seriously. You shouldn’t have worn it then either.

Heartwarming News!

2006-01-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Just when you’re about to fall into the depths of despair, you hear a news story that warms the cockles of your heart. And we have Abramoff and the unending corruption of the Republicans to thank! Actually, I don’t know whether to be happy they were caught or depressed that they are capable of such misuse of power. Yes, that wonderful organization that pays lip service to “values” -- it turns out that they are (gasp!) greedy sumbitches. Shocking! First DeLay, then Ney. Will this influence election results? Sadly, since lots of American are still terrified that gay people might be able to get married and that teenagers are having abortions, it won’t make a damned bit of difference.

World's Ugliest Band?

2006-01-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

38s
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Yesterday, I saw footage of an old 38 Special concert which prompted me to thought. Have you ever *seen* those guys? Dude, they are so UGLY. I had no idea. I reasoned that they may, actually, be the world's ugliest band. But that's a title that should not be given without some degree of research. Surely, there may be other band of equally frightening countenance? The Scorpions weren't pretty...neither were BTO...I dunno - you be the judge!

Bush on Global Warming

2006-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

I do love Will Ferrell's take on Bush. Here's his most recent Bush parody commercial on global warming shot, of course, on location at the ranch.

Ms. Films Festival Coming Soon!

2006-01-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

orangebanner
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

If you are anywhere around the Raleigh/Durham area, please support Ms. Film’s annual festival February 23 - 26th. The festival features films and workshops by/about/for women and is run by the lovely and talented Niku Arbabi. For a schedule, maps and more information visit the website. New info isn't up yet but will be soon! Stay tuned.

Tuna Helpers In Venus Online

2006-01-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

Well, the two people who read this already know BUT just in case there's a third person out there, I wrote something about my favorite local band ever -- The Tuna Helpers -- for Venus online. Check it: http://www.venuszine.com/stories/music_interviews/1510

Upcoming stories on The Witnesses and Ms. Films!

Harold, the Friendly Stingray

2006-01-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

Stingray 1
Originally uploaded by silverzephyr.

Stingrays feel very rubbery.