So True

Who wants to go for a ride?

The Pedalpub is an actual business coming to the Twin Cities.

Jealous

...and confused.

If the EP-J high school marching band is anything like it was when I was a member, they have no business performing at the Liberty Bowl. However, I am jealous the band was never offered an opportunity like this when I was a member.

Speaking of home improvements...

I heart this paint color, Lagoon by Behr. I would love to add it to my house somewhere. The obvious first choice is my fireplace, I just need to wrangle up the ambition to start the project.

If you like it, let me know. If you want to do the painting for me, definitely let me know.

New house shit Thanksgiving weekend

My whole family came for Thanksgiving at my house, so I took full advantage of having my electronically and constructionally (it's a word because I say so) adept family at my house. I bought a new entertainment center from Crate and Barrel:

...and a new TV to put on it:

It's a 27" Samsung Slimfit. It's not really a "skinny" TV, as I call them, it just looks that way from the front, which is good enough for me.

I also now have the table my dad made, my pictures got hung, and we turned my coat closet into a shoe closet. I'll post some pictures once I return home from San Diego.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bowl schmowl...

We may or may not go to a bowl game now, but we finally beat Iowa...and that's much more satisfying.

Compared to my evening with Amy Sedaris, I was much better prepared for last night's outing, a trip to see the MN Orchestra's Casual Classics: The Birth of Broadway with my friend Sarah. Notice how the website tells you exactly what you're in for, song by song. The type A/anal side of me loves that!
The evening was a guaranteed hit because it was the Orchestra and better yet, the Orchestra playing showtunes....but it got better. There was singing, which we hadn't anticipated, and the conductor, David Alan Miller, was very entertaining and informative. I had developed a raging nerd crush on him by the end of the evening.

*heart* *heart*

There are two more concerts in the New York, NY Concert Series and I would highly recommend the "Casual Classics" experience. Don't all jump at once to get tickets!

New house shit Friday

I finally pulled the trigger and purchased some FLOR, which will go under my dining room table...and by dining room table I mean the patio table my dad made me that's going to stay inside and serve as my real table until Spring. It's hard to tell from this picture, but I've purchased the Line Up pattern in blue/blue/gray/brown. I hope my first FLOR experience is a good one - I have high expectations.

All in the (Sedaris) family

Since I went to see David Sedaris when he was in town, it was only fair to go see Amy when she was in the Cities, despite the incredibly vague description of what I was paying to go see:

"89.3 The Current presents The Current Fakebook with Amy Sedaris at The Fitzgerald Theater on Wednesday, November 15th at 8:00 pm. The Current Fakebook will bring together writers, be they novelists, screenwriters, bloggers or critics, and some of their favorite musicians for an evening of music and insights that spring from the written word. Current on-air host Mary Lucia, a writer and humorist in her own right, will interview guests and give them time and space to express themselves in a casual, creative and innovative format."

Yeah.

Basically what this means is a band (The Bound Stems in this case) plays a few songs, Mary Lucia interviews Amy Sedaris, there's an intermission, the band plays again, and lastly, Mary and Amy chat some more and make some crafts from Amy's new book.

Oh, and did I mention there was a Q&A session after that? Despite the randomness of the evening, including general admission seating at the Fitzgerald Theater, it was a damn good time.

Hubble's Wacky Window

If you've ever wondered why pictures from the Hubble telescope are shaped like a staircase in one corner, wonder no more - here's the explanation.

Thanks again to coworker Carrie for sharing this. Keep sending fun stuff - this blog is practically writing itself.

New shoe Monday

It's been a while since I've celebrated new shoe day, so I don't feel too guilty about the shoe buying binge I went on at Naples' Loehmann's tonight.

All I want for Christmas...

A Frank Lloyd Wright house in Madison is for sale.

Update: There's a whole website showing FLW properties for sale - Wright on the Market.

Wild Wedding

Kerry and Jeff's wedding announcement made the NY Times. I can safely say this is the first wedding I've attended that has made the Sunday Style section.

Practically Perfect in Every Way

I'm not a huge fan of Disney movies, with one exception - Mary Poppins. So I was pretty excited to learn the Dayton's/Marshall Fields's/Macy's holiday display this year will be Up, Up & Away! The Magic of Mary Poppins. This could be the best display since Harry Potter!

New house shit Wednesday

Today coworker Kristin introduced me to the George Foreman outdoor grill and I had to have one. Isn't it the cutest little thing ever? I wanted to buy an electric grill since fire code says no propane on balconies and charcoal gets messy - and you can use it inside to boot.

I bought mine on Amazon, where it received fabulous reviews, for only $60 (half the retail price). Who's ready to grill up some black bean burgers?

Exciting news!

Bravo is launching a Project Runway type show for interior designers called Top Design. Todd Oldham will be the host and Jonathan Adler will be a judge. All signs point to this being a fantastic show. I'm thinking kickoff party at my house (it won't be the same as the PR kickoff party I was hoping to have, but it's a close enough second).

Read this!

My first impression of MN drivers, one that I still hold today, is that they don't merge correctly. After dealing with the 35W South / 94 West interchange for years, I consider myself an expert on the subject. So do me a favor, and please read this article from WCCO:

Good Question: Can Minnesotans Merge?

I think most of my friends are smart enough to know the answer.

I'm still tired...

This weekend was exhausting. I'm talking Lindsay Lohan exhausting....without the coke habit, that is. Good news is I leave for a long weekend in Naples on Friday, where I'll see Miss Kerry Keyes get married and get some Florida sunshine.

I'm back

I took the last couple days off work to move and get settled in my new condo. Until last night, I had no TV or internet...only my iPod to keep me company. I felt majorly out of the loop. I'll throw some pictures up on Flickr soon - the joint is far from being fully furnished/decorated, but you'll get the idea. Here's a picture of my living room to hold you over.