Day 317 - Mighty Movers!!

August 20, 2011

We're all adults here.  I don't mind helping you move.  I'm doing you a favor.  It's like a workout without going to the gym.  I get on my gym shorts and a sweatband and it's GO TIME.  I do work.  

Do me a favor too.  Don't pretend that my sweat can be bought with pizza and beer.  I'm not doing this for pizza and beer, I'm doing it because you're my friend.  If you were stuck in Lake Stevens and needed a ride, I'd be out there too.  But not because you promised to buy me ice cream on the way home.  I'm a Grown Ass Man (GAM), I can buy my own ice cream, pizza and beer.  

So don't cheapen this by suggesting that an economic incentive is the only reason I'm donating my time and muscle.  I'm doing it because you're my friend.

And one day, I'll want you to help me move too.

Before:

After:

Nick, you had three crates of VERY HEAVY BOOKS.

It's called a kindle.  

Invest in one.

I pushed him all the way down to the truck on that thing.

Yes it was awesome.

Everything made it in the door of the new place.  

I have fulfilled my obligations. 

Now you may shower me with beer and pizza if you feel so obligated.

And an additional, completely unrelated issue:

They usually play music during our indoor soccer games.  Typically, the music gets me jacked up.  Tonight, during an athletic contest, they were playing Jack Johnson.  Nothing against that dude, but he's so mellow, I almost fell asleep while a soccer ball was being kicked at my face. 

Arena Sports, invest in some Kanye.

Day 316 - I'll Give You A Ride, But You Have To Admit I'm A Good Brother.

August 19, 2011

My brother needed a ride to Northgate.  There's a whole thing about a wedding on San Juan Island.  Note to self, never have the hassle of a destination wedding within driving distance of my house.  Seriously, if I ever have a destination wedding, it better be in Paris, Sydney or something ridiculously exotic.  Otherwise, we're just picking a place with ample parking.  Because I'm sure that my decision on all wedding matters will be final.  

Right.

Benefits of Northgate:

Five Guys

Actually, that picture doesn't look good at all.  

But you know it tasted awesome.

Silver Platters

I don't understand why mom and pop record stores are having trouble they buy TONS of records and then nobody comes in their store to buy them.  

Nevermind, I get it.

This is a double edged sword.  Having this kind of volume in stock helped me discover Bitches Brew. I've always wanted this album because "Kind Of Blue" is pretty awesome.  But it's cheaper on Amazon.   So, it makes sense for me to buy it there.  

Hey, Amazon is a local company too!

And I earned TWO BADGES!!

The next time you see me.  

Give me a double high five.  

Insist on a DOUBLE high five.  

Don't tell me why.  

My reaction when I figure it out will be priceless.

I know me.

Drums are fun.

Day 315 - It Looks More "Impressive" When It's All In One Place

August 18, 2011

Two questions:

How did I get this much stuff?

Why did I keep this in the first place?

Some things are necessities, like the Hunger Games Trilogy, or my Seahawks and Seminole mini-helmets.

But why did I keep a deflated volleyball?

Or a ripped up basketball net?

Wait, there's a tv show about this situation.  I know I've seen it at my folks house on a Sunday afternoon.  
Sale, Salvage, or Junk?  


Nothing here would fetch a good price, so it's either "Garbage or Goodwill"
 (WHOA!  That's good!  TRADEMARK!!).  
Though the more appropriate model is probably Heartifacts.  That is, check the Meaningfulness, Uniqueness and Familiarity of the item.  If it doesn't meet all three, it's got to go.


Linkage:

Task Rabbit Article from Wired

This is exactly the kind of task I might do for someone else once TaskRabbit gets going in Seattle.

Day 314 - So, I Guess I'm Moved Out

August 17, 2011

My old room looks spotless. 

I had nothing to do with it.

I had been moving out boxes in bunches, due to the carrying capacity of my moderately-priced, compact car.  I had left some posters on the wall and some books packed in the cabinets.  Tonight's trip was about cleaning out the rest.  I had planned to be there for a few hours.  But the new resident had already cleaned me out.  

Don't get me wrong.  Everything was nicely packed with care and placed in a neat stack on the counter.  I couldn't help but feel like a jerk somehow.  Was I supposed to do this quicker?  Do we even have a timetable for this?  I feel bad that the new tenant had to clean up my crap (though she felt free to commandeer my bookshelf.  Why don't you make yourself at home?).

At least it's done.

Completely unrelated:

This was at Bridle Trails Park today.

It's now $10 to use the park that's in the middle of a residential area. 

You know how many cars were in the lot?

Three.

Because everyone else was parking on the street.

Linkage:

Getting Scooped On Facebook: Is That Cool?

So this kind of happened to me regarding the classroom move.  I’m not even sure if I have feelings about this issue. I don't really use bookface for announcements, though I get why people do that.

Day 313 - Kindle: You're Doing It Wrong!

August 16, 2011

I really enjoy my kindle.  It's lightweight, easy to read, and kindle editions are typically cheaper than hardcover for new releases. 

So, why is all this paper building up on my bookshelf?

A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan

It won a Pulitzer Prize.  I want credit for reading something classy.  How will you know how sophisticated I am unless I have the physical book?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian - Sherman Alexie

Sherman is a "friendo" of TBTL, so I had to support the book.  It was also one of the centerpieces of the "YA fiction being too dark" debate.  And the paperback was $6.00 with no kindle edition available.

In Fifty Years, We'll All Be Chicks - Adam Carolla

It has pictures and diagrams.  Also, since I hope it will be funny, it seems like the kind of book I might want to share.  That's tougher to do with a kindle.

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Costco.

My Booky Wook - Russell Brand

Again, no kindle addition.  You couldn't even buy this book for a long time because it was out of print.  And yes, Brand is kind of one note, but I really like that note.

(What!  They added a kindle edition?!?!  Damn it!!  uh... it has pictures too.  That's my new justification.)

Playing for Keeps - David Halberstam
I stole that from my dad.  So, if you hear he's looking for it, let him know it's safe.

Again, this is not a knock on the kindle.  
But our society has not gone paperless yet.


Linkage:

Slate Audio Book Club
A Visit From the Goon Squad

One day, I'll get to it.

Day 312 - G-G-G-G-G-G... G-SERIES!!!

August 15, 2011

I was led to believe that this stuff would make me superhuman.  And would let me sweat in color.  

Neither of the above are true.  

Instead, it turned my tongue an odd shade of puce, and tasted like liquified cotton candy.

I feel lied to.

Linkage:

Keep It Classy

Calm Down, Don’t Be Stupid, and Try Not To Suck

(I'm talking to you Gatorade)

Day 311 - Like A Ninja Turtle

August 14, 2011

Flying Squirrel Pizza Co.

It takes my family some time to build up momentum towards new things.  The original suggestion was to go to Claim Jumper.  There's nothing wrong with that, we go places like that all the time.  Living on the Eastside, the choices are limited to chain stores like Red Robin and...  well, it's usually Red Robin.  We live right next door to TONS of awesome food.  Surely, we can make a more adventurous choice?

Although it's located in a suburban neighborhood by Seward Park, we had to swing through downtown due to some... miscommunication.  When we finally got here, I was worried it might not live up to the hype.  We had been (unnecessarily) driving for a while.

Sometimes, we can be a tough family to please.

Thank goodness they liked it.  There's Salumi and Zoe's Ham on there.

Don't forget dessert.  My mother also brought over a chocolate torte.  I haven't even started on it yet.  I don't have the heart to tell her.

Linkage:

PBR in China

And, just because it still makes me laugh:

"Now I think I'll lie down here!  Now I think I'll lie down here!!

Oh my god, it's a piece of paper!!!"

Day 310 - King's Court

August 13, 2011

The rare Seattle Sports Doubleheader

Sounders 0 - Chivas 0

Bottom line.  We need to make penalty kicks.  We at least have to put the shot on frame and force the keeper to make a save.  No room to complain about penalties not given.  We had our chance.

Pike Place Market

You want to eat well?  Hit up Mee Sum Pastry for BBQ Pork Hombows.  Then rock the Beef and Cheese at Piroshky Piroshky.  Anthony Bourdain recommends it.  He would tell you if it sucked.  (And most episodes of "No Reservations" are on Netflix Streaming.  Dopeness.)

Red Sox 4 

Mariners 5

National Anthem performed by Anne Akiko Meyers on a Stradivarius Violin.

Wow.

The King's Court is normally down by the left field foul pole.  But because the Red Sox were in town, all the Boston fans come out of the woodwork.  Several fans mentioned how much they love the section, but missed us on the lower deck.  They said the whole stadium feeds off our energy.  Also, these seats were $15, which included the seats, shirts, and "K" signs.

You see how "Felix" is written in the crown?

And we were lead by this guy.  

Felix only struck out two, but we won a close one.

Day 309 - Paradox - Charlie Burger

August 12, 2011

Supporting local businesses is important.   It's what insulates us from Walmart.  By patronizing local establishments, we ensure greater variety for ourselves and higher quality options in our community.

 If we don't do it, who will?

So I should love Charlie's Burgers, a new joint that moved in on Lake Washington Boulevard.  It's just a block from my house.  I cannot articulate why I am weary of this burger shack.  There is no logical explanation.

Though contempt without investigation is fun, I had to try it.

It's not bad, but it's not good.  It's like Red Robin, but worse.  Red Robin should be the big corporation I hate, and Charlie's is the plucky local underdog I should want to overthrow the big city, fat cats.  But in this case, I grew up with Red Robin.  Charlie's is a weird new thing.

I clearly have some new issues to sort out.

Linkage:

"Who Nose?"

(30 Rock reruns are still funny)

Profile of Louis C.K.

"We all have this festering id full of devils and weirdness," Maron said, "and when we access it, voluntarily or involuntarily, it can be a frightening place, and it might make us feel ashamed of ourselves." Or it can be something else, a kind of liberation. That's the role that C.K. plays, Maron said. The service he provides is that he knows how to guide us into and then back out of darkness. "Louis just goes right in there and says, 'Don't worry, I got this. I got a flashlight. I know these people.' "

Most of this interview is from his special "Hilarious", which is, as the name implies, very funny.

Day 308 - Winning Is Winning

August 11, 2011

Hello, Football.

It's been a while.

Football games last three hours.

We only get eleven minutes of action.

But these games feel more like a family reunion.

"Oh, you're on the team now?  Remind me, who are you again?  And how did you end up on this team?  Oh yeah!  That misguided trade with San Diego.  That's right.  So what have you been up to this summer?  What's that?  Due to the lockout, you didn't improve at all?  That's too bad.  Well, you're on the team now, so we're stuck cheering for you, like it or not."

Linkage:

Longform.org Guide to Quarterbacks

Including profiles of Todd Marinovich (groomed from birth for the NFL, he became a junkie and set an Arena League record after pooping his pants in warmups), Jake Plummer (quit football to move to Idaho and focus on handball), and Timothy Richard Tebow (who is probably the nicest guy who I irrationally hate because of where he went to school)

Day 307 - Frolf 'Nation

August 10, 2011

Frolf is the sport of kings.

(Or hippies?  It's either kings of hippies.)

Frolf has a surprisingly high cost of entry.  You are supposed to buy several different discs and have a dedicated sack to carry said discs.  

We were easily identified as newbs with our, 
"Washington Mutual, 85th Anniversary" frisbees.

One lady even commented, 

"Are you guys rocking one lid?  Wow.  Whatever works for you!"

Thanks for your support.

Linkage:

Matt Damon on Education

“Why would you take a shitty-salary and really long hours unless you loved teaching?”

Better video with Matt Damon.

Day 306 - There Will Be Two Boxes. Three? Four? MORE?!?!

August 9, 2011

My car is not known for being super spacious.  

If I wasn't 5'5", the backseat would be unusable.  

The trunk is full of all manner of sporting goods.  

XFL football?  Got it.  

Bowling shoes? Check. 

Deflated Irish rugby ball?  You bet.

So all the boxes go on the backseat for now.  

This trip barely made a dent.

This will take many trips.

LINKAGE:

Chemistry Cat

Please let this go viral.

Electron Microscope Photos

Microfractures in steel.  

This makes me feel less safe.

Chemistry Day at Scientific American Blog Network

I recommend the article on phase changes (using the Terminator) and the video on Ferrofluids

Thread of most important, iconic or beautiful scientific images

How could you sum up science with one picture?

Taxidermied Koopa Paratroopa

Not real... yet.

Day 305 - Watch The Throne

August 8, 2011

If you ask me, "What is the one musician you would want to see in concert?"  I would say Billy Joel.  Done that.  Next, I might choose the band that puts on the biggest spectacle.  U2.  Done that.  What current musical act would I most want to see live?  It might be Kanye West, or Jay -Z.  

It would be tough to choose.

WATCH THE THRONE, FOOLS!

Tickets went on sale at 10:00am this morning.  So, I woke up earlier than usual (summer is awesome), and tried to get tickets.  The cheapest available tickets were $60 but they were unavailable.  The next price point was $110!  That's steep, but these guys are legends.  I kept resubmitting the forms to get better seats. When I finally got good seats and the total cost came up, I hesitated.  It started to bother me, "Why couldn't I get those cheaper seats?"  I tried them again and BAM!!  Jason and I will be watching the throne from the very back of the Tacoma Dome (from the cheap seats).  

Jason said there are really only two types of seats at a show: Inside the building.  Or outside the building.

And when I thought about the cost breakdown, I would pay $30 to see either of these guys.  Plus, they threw-in a download of the album with each ticket purchased.  

LINKAGE:

Buyers guide to Watch The Throne

GQ links to all of the high-end, luxury items mentioned on the album.  No one lives on this level.


Grantland reviews the album
The general consensus is that this album is solid, but "My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy" was better.  Kanye blew my mind four times on that album.

And in case this album just isn't for you:

Childish Gambino – Community Music Video

Donald Glover (Troy on Community) spits FIRE!!

He raps as Childish Gambino and it is not a joke.

Feist’s New Single – “How Come You Never Go There?”

In case you aren't a fan of rap at all.  

This is from the other end of the spectrum.


Best Coast video for "Our Deal"
Directed by Drew Barrymore with Donald Glover and Maybe Bluth