For Reference (#2)

Standard, straight-through wiring for ethernet cable
* These are not necessary

Compulsivity

Let freedom bling

I don't really have any good reason to update my journal. Things are, well... they're busy.

Busy enough that those extra few moments at the end of the day to write something out just aren't there.

It's summer, I think that's a good enough excuse.

PS: This lady at Wendys was nice enough to let me take her photo.

obey

Spotted at the radio station today

I've been keeping a notebook handy of late. More-so than usual.

I thought of a great graphic the other day, where Bush would be like Andre the Giant from that OBEY thingy. So pleased I was, with the unoriginal thought I figured no one had done yet.

Turns out, I was wrong.

Proletarian Threads: Gear for Everyday Insurrections

I like my sugar with coffee and cream

Brunch at Cracker Barrel on the way home from Columbus reminded me of this story

Driving across the country a few years back, I pulled into a Cracker Barrel extremely exhausted. I got the Chicken Tenderloin Dinner like I always do (unless it's breakfast.) I'm simple that way.

By dinner's end I got the check and headed to the bathroom, taking my own sweet time in a stall there, reviewing my bill, the handwriting of the waitress and whatnot.

I stopped by the sink on the way out to wash my hands and noticed a thing of hand lotion on the counter.

"How sweet," I thought, "...What a great way to sucker folks to the crap in their country store." The scent was a bit curious though. Not very manly at all.

Then a lady walked out of the stall next to me and I turned a few shades of red and excused myself with a hat tip.

My Anus is bleeding

Found this message on a telephone pole next to the parade route.

I went up north to Columbus to catch the Pride festivities in Columbus (somebody stop me from repeating myself). It was the biggest thing like that I've ever been to—and the folks, for the most part, looked so... .... ...normal. It was nice walking amidst tens of thousands and not knowing, or caring, what someone preferred in their bedroom. Lots of families. Some exposed boobies. And water was only a dollar a bottle. Which might seem stiff, but usually at big events I expect lots of markup.

The only thing that seemed oppressive on this day was the heat.

Whirlygig

Captiony

10 second exposure of a plastic toy with LED lights that spins on a propeller way up in the air.

Great fun when you're sitting around a campfire drinking cheap beer.

Camp Buckwood

4 Seasons Lodge

Just back from two days out at Camp Buckwood in Indiana. A friend suggested the last minute affair, noting the fine weather and summer solstice. Good enough reasons for celebration.

Although the campgrounds were relatively empty, it offered a good way to get to know the facilities. An outdoor pool, hot tub, really well constructed bathrooms and showers, hiking trails and a lake.

A quick tour of the lodge revealed a large dining area, living room, nice suites and a bunkhouse.

More than a few times, I thought we were in California, but with greener grass.

Some highlights included:

Slow cooked garlic marinated ribs with Montgomery Inn Barbeque sauce (those Reynolds® Hot Bags will henceforth be a camping staple)

Watching Sordid Lives projected on the building next to the pool, laughing so hard I could not contain my Chrissy from Three's Company snortle.

Few insects. I'm told to thank the bullfrogs in the nearby lake.

I could go on about the cool nights, full moon, colorful conversations, free firewood from the neighbors, and taking a nap in the shade for hours. It all added up to one of the most stress-free and relaxing pair of days I've had in a good piece.

But now it's back to the world of the internet and cell phone coverage, e-mails and projects.

I'm leaving the chairs and bedroll in my trunk—ready for the next time.

Harvest Jubilee

tumble for ya

I drove up with a friend to Fort Recovery for their 100th annual Harvest Jubilee on Sunday. The highlight being the Fireman's parade.

Veterans, flags, firetrucks, shriners, clowns, classic cars, the high school band, lots of candy being thrown, tumblers, and tractors—LOTS of tractors, from the oldest to hulking 8 wheeled monsters. To see these shiny beasts go down the road was a testament not only to their engineering and beauty, but to the business of agriculture that grounds this community.

I will admit that 42" tilling deck I've recently used pales in comparison, and there was some envy. But I had a lawnchair with an excellent view and a cold beer, so it I was happy. Afterward, it was off to the Jubilee for a rock cover band and elephant ears.

Wedding Party

A stolen moment

So I'm eating my soft serve and whatnot after a trip to Best Buy wondering, okay -- does my computer like DVD+R's or DVD-R's? Turns out, my Mac is quite picky and hates both of this particular variety. I guess I have to buy Apple branded media. (insert grumble)

Anyways, this hoooooooge stretch Ford Excursion with "Just Married" pulls up the front of the dairy bar and out pops a wedding party jamming to some Missy Elliot song or something.

The owner comes out and asks for a photo and I immediately take the cue to hop in the car and pull around the building. I mean, how often do you see this?

There I am, stopped with my window down behind the owner of this joint and I frame up the photo while one of the groomsmen yells, "Thanks." with a tone.

I hope their wedding was as good as my bar-b-que sandwich, 'cause it was pretty good.

(Full photo)

Gorillaz

In the words of Mike the DJ, "They're much smaller in real life"

“Live” in the lounge.
S'more photos...

More inside

Dalton Avenue (on the way home from downtown)

A sprawling day that really started to take shape after the work whistle blew and I found myself walking around the neighborhood for no particular reason other than the (incredibly) nice weather.

I wandered into the record store to look for some props in the truest definition of the word. Shake It has lots of good things besides music lining their walls. After some hedging I walked out with a lighter wallet and across the street for dinner. Potluck's combined patio with the neighboring tavern was packed.

Vibrant mood. Hip folks with tattoos and coifed hair in that messy I don't want you to think I care kinda way. I got my cuban sandwich boxed and headed up to the video store to find they had two selections I'd been hoping to catch. I spoke briefly with the man behind the counter there as he questioned the contents of a box I was carrying. That turned into a bit of a soapbox about technology, the distribution of media, and ultimately, how important people still are to the equation.

Back home through alleys, hands heavy with boxes, bags and vittles, I passed some kids smoking out back of an unknown establishment and they looked taken aback by my trespass. They seemed harmless though, and I avoided some puddles looking down.

In all, it seems boring to relay, but I can't contain the optimism that this part of town has under it's rough exterior.

Cachorro (Bear Cub)

Late to the game, but didn't miss the party

This might not be the best movie to plop in the DVD player with grandma hanging about, depending of course how she takes to hairy men getting downright passionate with their naked selves. But after the veneer of gay is peeled away, dag—nice flick.

There was concern at first, as the subtitles started blinking by at breakneck speeds. Concentrating on text when there's so much beautiful stuff on the screen is hard.

Well rounded characters (not a pun) pulled the movie along, unfolding issues that got progressively heavier.

Lots to chew on (also not a pun.) My entertainment dollar, well spent—I'd like to see more movies made like this. And when they do make them, it'd be nice if I could actually go to a theater in Cincinnati to see them.

Truckin

Random links for the day

Pick up wall art - This wall art above now adorns my entryway. You can buy it at Urban Outfitters. It's actually hand painted and you can almost smell the sweat shop.

Worst Ringtone Ever - Please stop using this. (MP3)

The new chastity belt - With hot technology for the millennium (thanks champ)

Veer Shuttleboard - A great way to composite type, image and other tidbits. The first thing I've seen where the web could become an application for design.

Ajax on Rails - New technology is easy.

Neko Case - live in the woxy lounge late this afternoon, and Gorillaz + de novo dahl tomorrow...

Nice watch - I'll stick with my mobile phone though... (via Nixlog)

Manual focus

Depth of field

I (always) forget how major a variable weather can be on mood. The oppressive heat is gone for now, and in its place were big fluffy clouds and a fine breeze—bordering on gusts.

I went up north to haul some lumber and turn it into a sliding door. While waiting for my friend to show up for duty, I walked to the edge of a hayfield and just watched it moving in the wind.

I don't think I've ever written about the replacement camera from when I lost the Sony. Somewhere in the middle of February I picked up a Canon 20D with standard lens.

It's changed the way I've taken photos a little. Foremost, it's more conspicuous. Which usually is not beneficial, but in some cases, folks assume you are doing it for a purpose and seem less bothered.

I'm just now getting comfortable with it—using manual settings more than the standard "P" (automatic) mode.

So as I sat there surrounded by hay, squinting in the viewfinder through the lens, it felt pretty good. Maybe the breeze lifted some of the heaviness that's been stickin' round. Of course, if it's humid as all get-out tomorrow, all bets are off.

Livening up the place

Fresh flowers

Been in a wee bit of a funk of late—worrying about friends both real and virtual, family, work and whatnot.

Bored or overwhelmed with the internet, the television, the current crop of movies in theaters that don't seem to be much of an escape.

The unsettling political climate.

Uncertainty.

Pervasive struggle.

Nothing unusual, really. I'll get past this.

A good start was buying some flowers on Sunday. Another good step was to begin the process of moving stuff from the studio that's been sitting around to proper storage. Throwing out boxes I really don't need. Dusting the tops of tall things. Making food. Eating it.

Cincinnati Pride Parade

The day, yesterday

Chris: We're pushed for time, can you sum it up in a word?
Spartacus Mills: No.
Chris: A sound?
Spartacus: Woouueerrrr.
Chris: Spartacus, thank you.

Taqueria

On State Avenue

Hours Apart

Cincinnati skyline

It rained yesterday. The good kind of steady rain complete with lighting and thunder. Not a good day for swimming.

Same view, a bit later

The smoke drifting off in this photo is from "PyroMusical Night" — the post-game fireworks show with soundtrack that happens at the end of (some) Reds games.

We lost to Baltimore.

Architecture in Helsinki

Architecture in Helsinki : Indie Pop :: Katamari Darmacy : Videogames
Southgate House - Newport, KY

A gig.
A whole gig.
Of photos.
Most of which are blurry, or dark, or blurry AND dark. There's about 500, I'll sort through those later.

Anywho, the show (and the lounge act earlier in the day) was superfun. It was a bit sad to see such a small crowd out, but I suppose they have a niche audience or the area kids have gone home from college.

The 8 members swapped instruments on most songs, with a "we enjoying ourselves" vibe.

Oh, and they're vandals.

Live music, punk clothes, blog cycles and more

Architecture in Helsinki this afternoon, live in the woxy lounge.

AT-AT Boombox : Rock with the dark side.

Dave Devries Monster Engine : Transforming kids art into, um, different art.

Little Punk : Cute clothing for kids that costs too much. (another funny one)

Stéphane Bucco : Super cool design style (via Coudal)

Game Skins : Arcadey t-shirts (for adults this time)

The Lifecycle of Bloggers : Time to take that sabbatical...

David Shrigley : is genius and funny

Dinner Club: Kate's House

Photo by Ben

It's June already. First Tuesday of the month, time to hook up with friends and chow.

*blink*

Since last month was such as success, we did the potluck/grillout thing again. This time at lil (sex toys) Kate's place.

The stormy weather parted, but left the humidity along with some nice evening light. Both recent mom's were in attendance with newborns in tow. I'm sure there's a special term for kids that are a little over two months old. It's not toddler. Maybe it's nipple-junkies.

And for the other two perspectives from the shot above...

Accepting change

The evolution of Fast Food logos

I bitched about the new White Castle logo a couple years ago. Today I was driving home, saw an old Taco Bell sign and was transported back to a happier time—when evolution wasn't so far out there.

How I miss the crisp gridded balance of yore. The warm tones are fading. Browns replaced by blues. Type now looking like it would be at home amidst fluorescent splatter from the 80’s.

*big inhale* Okay, fine. I can deal with all this change. I am resilient. I am hopeful.

The A square is the same color as B

Optical illusion by Edward H. Adelson

Really. They're the same. Here's the proof. (via waxy links)

Doug Henning would have enjoyed this.

Pride begins

WOOF!

Pride begins in Cincinnati with Drag Races. I've never gone before so I didn't know what to expect. I stepped outside right before meeting up with Mark and realized I wore the wrong shirt. It was a hairdryer outside. My flopsweat created blotches resembling Australia and surrounding islands.

Anywho, the drag races sucked. Seems that everyone was at the bars though, so that was the upshot—with mini-pitchers of Long Islands and cheap beer.

Ran into Bob, Derek and lots of other friendly familiar faces too wise to keep a livejournal.

Totally a good time.

More photos that make Cincinnati look mighty handsome

Putz's

Putz’s Creamy Whip

No obligations on a lazy Saturday. I woke up early and made myself a big breakfast, going back to sleep during the hottest part of the day. Bored with that, I needed to drive around and charge my phone because I left my wall-charger at the construction site.

Aimless, I gravitated toward a dairy bar Kate told me to try. Putz's lived up to the expectation she set—real bananas in their shakes, none of that yellow artificial squirt stuff.

Afterward I started to drive up around Mt. Airy forest to find a lake she also mentioned. No luck, but I did manage to take a small hike down to a creek and escape the din of urban life.

Lounge Acts

The Wrens

The Wrens came through the studio yesterday and put on an excellent set. An amicable bunch, they made the whole photo-taking process very easy. I did promise to photoshop Brad Pitt's body on them, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

I spent a good part of the evening going through photos from May to get caught up on all the woxy.com outstanding shoots, including: Brendan Benson, Psychodots, Cartel, and more of The Wrens...

I don't get down to snap every band that comes through, but it's always nice when I do. Good bunch of folks and always good music. Lots of upcoming acts coming up. I'll try to give some ample warning before they happen.

headlights

Now functioning again

You'd be surprised how well you can get around with just fog lights or high beams. I know, I've been doing it for months.

Most of the streets are lit well enough in town, but trips outside the city required careful timing to ensure I was only on the road never beyond twilight.

Well, I got them fixed last week, simply new bulbs required—remiss, I didn't examine them myself.

I spent today putting drywall up for a lightproof room (where screens will be made.)

Driving home as dusk became night, I felt the fleeting weight of gypsum sheets leave warmth on muscles rarely used. Windows down, I blared mellow tunes and reflected on the fun weekend away, the feeling of accomplishment with a cordless drill, and how nice it was to see the road.