Sunday September 30 movin' on up

MEtRoday: none

I'm out of here. Saying goodbye. It's over for me. I hope you've had fun, too.

Today (actually, tomorrow) when I turn in my rent check there will be a little note attached that says something along the lines of "October 31 will be my last day of residency at Jump Street. Baah."

Funny, (not really to me) but this move to my new apartment is driven by money, as was my move to Jump Street. In my former joint, where I lived for about five years, a new owner jacked up the rent to the legal maximum. This place didn't even have a washer/dryer in the building and the new rent price was redonk. Luckily, I was able to find Jump Street literally a block away, and I can still remember viewing it, and being absolutely thrilled with its layout and the fact that the kitchen was its own room.

But now it's become a cosy prison and it's time to go. Since I've moved in, the rent has jumped 43%. Has your income increased 43% in the last seven years? Maybe I should be doing what you're doing, then. Mine hasn't. The really sad part is that I've checked around and Jump is still a bargain for everything else that's being offered in my 'hood. Is it time to move to the 'burbs, 20 miles away, just to find affordable rent? Perish the thought.

Luckily, an opportunity came around to rent the basement apartment of the J/T's new house at 1526. They have porch parties. And a basement apartment that's at ground level. With hardwood floors. And a washer/dryer. And lots of closet space.

And then there's the hard part: leaving Jump which still has many memories for me, memories of the Twins™ when they were still two, before Hum died. Memories of their 10th birthday dinner and of them sitting together in the window are still vivid memories in my mind. This move will be the first place Rattle has lived by herself without any presence of Hum and this is what makes me sad, to be turning a page in Hum's story. Of course, her cremains will be coming with us and I'll find a nice place to put them.

Friday September 28 what's new

MEtRoday: 5023 3101, 1153

On a crowded, non air-conditioned Metro car this morning, I observe people operating way outside their social/personal space.

The man next to me is holding his full-size WaPo at full spread, oblivious to the fact that the crease of his newspaper's fold is constantly jabbing my ribs at every shake and shudder of the rail car, which is pretty frequently. Occasionally I'll intentionally propel myself into his newspaper, crushing it, to hopefully make him aware that maybe he should fold his paper and only view the article he's reading. I am not successful in my attempts. His newspaper isn't his only faux pas, of course. His luggage is spread out as if he's been standing in an airport terminal for a few hours, waiting for his connecting flight. The PA announcement in my head: "Please arrive at your gate on time so you can leave my city, thank you. I hope you have a middle seat and screaming babies on either side of you. Have a nice flight."

To my left, there is a gaggle of boisterous teenagers, with backpacks-a-plenty. Hint: When on a crowded train, one should remove one's back or shoulder bag and hold it in one's hand. This gives the carrier of said bag more control of its direction and its being thrust into others personal space. Teenagers (and tourists) do not understand this rule. I do.

Those who drive to work are not subjected to this "get in public" environment first thing in the morning, without any coffee. They're also able to regulate (and sequester) themselves into their shiny little boxes and therefore arrive to work in an attitude of their own creation. I am not of this subset. This is the main reason I own an iPod.

So this gets me thinking about the first cars made, and how they liberated those early drivers from having to ride the trolley or the bus to work, and how the independence they felt must have been liberating like nothing ever felt before. And then I thought about what kind of revolutionary objects that are being introduced today that might warrant this same feeling when first experienced. Here's my bulleted list:

• Internet—cliché, I know, but it's still amazing that I can communite and send images to people anywhere on Earth;

and that's about it. Boring I know. But seriously, nothing else has been so revolutionary in the last 30 years.

Thursday September 27 one more duran post (but this is a big one, honest)

MEtRoday: 1030, 2044, 3110, 3121

From the press release:

Duran Duran’s ‘RED CARPET MASSACRE’ Set to Take Broadway by Storm

Band make history with two week Broadway run at New York’s Barrymore Theatre on 47th Street November 1–12, 2007.

In an unprecedented move, British superstars, Duran Duran, have today confirmed that they will play nine shows on Broadway over a two week period in celebration of the launch of their upcoming album, ‘RED CARPET MASSACRE’, which will be released November 13 on Epic Records.

Marking the first time that any band has undertaken such an extended run on a Big Apple stage, Duran Duran are developing a unique show that will see them performing not only their innumerable hits from the past 29 years but also the whole of their new record and a special electro set that promises to delight their loyal army of fans.

Performing for over two hours a night on November 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 at the Barrymore Theatre on 47th Street and Broadway, band members Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor will take audiences in this historic thousand-capacity venue on a musical journey, presenting their new record in its entirety, as well as classics such as ‘Rio’, ‘Save A Prayer’, Hungry Like The Wolf’ and ‘Ordinary World’, with magnificent production values and a completely new stage show. These concerts will be the band’s first dates in support of their exciting new release, which they have worked on over the past year with Justin Timberlake and top producers Timbaland and Nate ‘Danja’ Hills.

Duran Duran’s ‘RED CARPET MASSACRE’ marks an all time creative high in the band’s illustrious career. As Nylon Magazine described it in their most recent issue “it’s like a stroke of lightning captured on record… it’s a triumph, a marvel, and a hell of a lot of fun. Duran Duran have got their sexy back.”

Remarking on their upcoming New York shows, singer Simon LeBon said “We have made an album that we are all really proud of and we wanted to present it in a very unique way. Staging a run on Broadway is something that we’ve often talked about over the years—but the time has never seemed right until now. We started work on ‘RED CARPET MASSACRE’ in New York—in September of last year—so it feels fitting to be launching it here—just down the road from the studio where we did those first sessions with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. “

Bassist John Taylor added: “We agreed we would try to open on Broadway while we were still making the record and have been planning how we’re going to stage it for the past few months. Nick and I have been particularly engaged in this and are really excited about the production. Broadway just feels like the perfect place to launch this album.”

“The theatre we have found is really beautiful inside, which in itself will make this special,” added keyboard player Nick Rhodes. “I don’t believe there is another artist out there who has done a two week run on Broadway—and knowing that our fans travel to see our shows from all over the world we wanted to start out with something really spectacular.”

Rehearsals for these concerts will start in London at the beginning of October, and as drummer Roger Taylor noted: “We are rehearsing for the whole of October because we are adding so much in the way of new material to the set. I can’t wait to play the new songs live.”

Tickets and VIP packages go on sale for fan club members tomorrow, September 28:
11am: VIP for Nov. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
12pm: VIP for Nov. 8, 9, 10, 12
1pm: Presale for Nov. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
2pm: Presale for Nov. 8, 9, 10, 12

Tickets for Citi members go on sale Monday October 1, 9am. Tickets for the general public go on sale Saturday, October 6. Full details can be found at Duranduran.com.

ALSO

The first single, Falling Down, will not be issued as a physical CD in America, although it will be available in Europe as a physical single on October 29th (Europe) and November 5th (UK). It also can be downloaded from iTunes worldwide.

Wednesday September 26 the second time around

MEtRoday: Tuesday: 5059, 5026, 6022, 3010, 5142, 1049; Wednesday: 2049, 6049, 3123, 6093, 3173

Let's try this again. After last week's disappointing should-have-been-the-first-hour-of-a-two-hour-premiere episode, we're finally ready to start some eliminations. Did you find any favorites while watching last week? Meet some new enemies? Make a friend? Then by all means, be ruthless in your choices so that your fave model becomes America's Next Top Model.

Since none of the finalists were eliminated last week, this is the same placemat you might have downloaded a week ago, but here it is again just in case. Have fun, and be sure to let me know the results of your game in the Comments.

Recaps from last week can be found at Television Without Pity and fourfour.

Monday September 24 name who wrote and typeset this

MEtRoday: 5028, 5007, 3112, 1285

Sunday September 23 pda

MEtRoday: none

Liverpool-based Ladytron is launching a mini-tour, with stops in NY, Chi, and the west coast. The interesting show they'll play in Los Angeles on Thursday is named "Public Displays of Affection", with admission being a receipt or transfer from public transit. Isn't that a great idea? Even in the sleepy town of DC people feel the need to drive four blocks instead of walking. I can imagine it's even worse than that in L.A.

More info is here. The fine print: Your incoming subway or bus ticket cannot originate from the Hollywood & Highland station and only tickets purchased on September 27, 2007 are valid.

Saturday September 22 2–15/4–10

MEtRoday: none

Today I fulfilled my bridal attendant duties, co-hosting Katie's bridal shower with Arathi and Eddy. I think it went pretty well. This afternoon Eddy and I ran around getting gift bag gifts and party supplies. Arathi had taken care of much of the food, so by the time I arrived it was simply setup and wait for guests to arrive. We played typical bridal shower games, ate lots of good food, and made I don't know how many bowls of punch.

As the evening was starting to wind down, I was feeling pretty exhausted from the heat and everything I had consumed, but the bride-to-be wanted to hit the bars, and so that's what we did. We went downto H St, which at midnight was jumping. We decided to go to The Red & The Black, where we had multiple Red Bull + vodkas to perk everyone up. We also practiced our ANTM runway walk, which we hope to have mastered by the time of the wedding (three weeks).

Songs we danced/catwalked to: Iggy Pop, Lust for Life; Joy Divison, She's Lost Control; Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Relax; Depeche Mode, Never Let Me Down Again.

Friday September 21 good news

MEtRoday: 1145, 6103, 3119

The Twin™ is taking well to her meds. It's something that brings me joy, but it's also sometihng that makes me feel slightly guilty. I'm thinking that Hum {RIP} possibly went down the same road with the same illness, and I'm only able to notice it through Rattle's weight loss; Hum was always pretty skinny trim and maybe I didn't catch it.

Dr. Murphy said the medications that Rattle is taking might make her lethargic, and I'm noticing that. Being a 16 year old, I realize she's not going to be frisky as a kitten, but I've noticed more sleeping and less interaction with me. I guess this is the price to pay to keep her healthy? She only occasionally comes and sleeps with me now, instead preferring to curl up in the living room or near the bathroom. And that's fine if that's where she wants to be. She still comes to me for scratchies though.

Her recent diagnoses: massive reductions (to almost normal) of thyroid and liver enzyme levels. She's being reduced in her methimazole intake by 1/2. She's still on the originally prescribed liver enzyme level, although the doc said this might be removed after the next blood test (three weeks) if all her levels have stabilized. She will continue to take the methimazole for the rest of her life.

Her blood test results 091807:

Blood Prof./UA/Biop. REVIEW/NOTES—Monitoring Profile
T4 low @ 0.2 (previously 14.1)
ALT now 145 (prior > 500) (previously 520)
Alk Phos now 130 (previously 226)
BUN high 47 (previously 41)
A: latrogenic Hypothyroidism
P. reduce to 2.5 mg Methimazole BID
recheck 3 weeks 4–6 hours post pill

Thursday September 20 tracklist

MEtRoday: 2033, 6022, 3204, 5011

I've hunted down the tracklist for Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre. It's on Record Runner's site, an import specialist in NYC. I stumbled upon their tiny location on Jones Street about 10 years ago and in the years since I've found them an invaluable resource for getting German & Australian singles, as well as Japanese rarities. When placing an order over the phone, I can say "Hey John, it's Ivan from DC..." and he knows me. The last time I was in the store, I rang the bell and John came up and said they weren't open yet, and I said "Hey John, it's Ivan from DC..." and he let me in and locked the door behind me, leaving me to fish through the racks while he rummaged around in the back. He also played some tracks I wanted to hear before buying over the store's sound system. Now that's customer service. (Record Runner is now taking pre-orders for RCM.)

Red Carpet Massacre 2007 Epic USA 707362:

1. The Valley (4:57)
2. Red Carpet Massacre (3:16)
3. Nite Runner (3:56)
4. Falling Down (5:39)
5. Box Full O' Honey (3:09)
6. Skin Divers (4:23)
7. Tempted (4:22)
8. Tricked Out (2:46)
9. Zoom In (3:25)
10. She's Too Much (5:30)
11. Dirty Great Monster (3:41)
12. Last Man Standing (4:00)

UPDATE: The band's website has a press release with song-by-song analysis by SLB, NR, JT, RT & Timbaland. The individual page is here.

Wednesday September 19 time for a metroday

MEtRoday: 5051, 3183, 3104, 5041

Tuesday September 18 best spam subject title ever

MEtRoday: 1037, 2033, 3089, 1241

Subject: ..+]-((+ :[: )+)(((!.[* * -[) )([ ]:.

UPDATE: Except for maybe this one:

Subject: (...+] ]]*:.[:[]]*: **)+

or this one:

Subject: ] :!.((([] )[)(. * - -!.

UPDATE 091907: or any one of these:

Subject: :((+:.!+)[) ]-+-(.+-[]]
Subject: -!. - :. * :+-[)(([*]
Subject: ])[)(! *:![)+]]) ]:.+-( -( :[
Subject: -( -(-[[ [ ().:( *-(] :[[ .-
Subject: . :!* -[[.:( *]
Subject: ++[ +. ] *)!*:()[.-.: !*:+(* -

UPDATE 092007: but wait, there's more:

Subject: *)!*]* :. ]-(
Subject: !:(*:. - +.
Subject: ).*])()[! -(-!* )(*]:.*) + (*]-.*)

UPDATE 092107: and still more:

Subject: +]*]*:(+). *:(+ * )!.+ : :[]:.
Subject: -+.:!-!] *- +[ [+!
Subject: ])+-![:+)(.[]:+* ]***)[). :!.. : ]

UPDATE 092207: and some from the Saturday:

Subject: ! )! ]- + [[+!] )+[ !-(-(-[[(
Subject: :! *)!-!-.:[(- [[[! *-!).*:!]-.)
Subject: -!** ]]]-[+ !: [(]*
Subject: ]- [+(]*-!-[ (-.:!-! -. ]* **)++ .-++

UPDATE 092307: and let's round out the weekend:

Subject: ]- [+(]*-!-[ (-.:!-! -. ]* **)++ .-++

UPDATE 092407: this is absolutely the last day:

Subject: -+: )( -+- ]-!+:!+ )((([] ]]*]]

Monday September 17 let's play!

MEtRoday: 5003, 3080, 2045, 2027

America's Next Top Model's new season starts in two days, so continuing the model-elimination game I created for last season, here is your game placemat to download and have fun with. I've tried to adjust the rules a little bit to make it more fun, like adding more points to assign to the models. (I found that I'd always end up with a five-way tie or something.) So there's more points to initially assign and I think this number will fluctuate weekly depending on how many models are left. Please send in any recommendations for gameplay.

The placemat is best played when printed on 11 x 17 in color. It will work in 8.5 x 11 and in black/white though.

Here are this season's rules of play:

A win is obtained by correctly determining which model will be eliminated. This can be achieved in two ways: 1) by correctly marking which model will be eliminated; 2) the model with the lowest Rating Bar score on your card at the end of the show is eliminated by the Panel.

Before the show (drinking rules in red)
1. Choose who you think will win the Challenge by marking the “C” box for your candidate. If your chosen model wins the Challenge, you have three extra points to immediately assign to any model.
2. Choose who you think will be Eliminated by marking the “E” box for your candidate. If your chosen model is Eliminated, you win!
3. Choose if the model opening Tyra Mail will get one positive or one negative point by marking the appropriate box of the Tyra Mail bar. Whomever is holding the Tyra Mail card and reading it receives one point, positive or negative, according to which you’ve marked. Everytime Tyra Mail is read, drink.
4. You have ten points to assign to available models, by filling in a white box in the Rating Bar (the yellow bar represents neutral, or zero). These points can be positive or negative. Pick your favorites to make it to next week’s show or try to bring down the ones you H8.

During the show
5. After photos from photoshoot have been shown during Panel (approx 45 mins into the show), there will be a commercial break. During this break, you have three extra points to assign as you see fit. (This is your last chance to spare or send someone down.)
6. If Panel references and shows a clip of a previous Cycle model while discussing a current Cycle model, the current Cycle model is awarded a positive or negative point, depending on how favorable/not favorable the reference is.
7. If a model cries about hair or makeup, or cries about missing a family member/significant other, she gets one negative point & drink.
8. If Tyra addresses a model as “Girl”, “Girlfriend”, “Sister” or “Miss Thing”, she gets one positive point & drink.
9. If Tyra talks about her booty, all models positive one point & drink.
10. If model gets sent to the hospital, she gets negative one point.
11. If model misses photoshoot, she gets negative one point.
12. If model gets a high-five, hug or any form of physical affection from Miss J, she gets positive two points.
13. Anytime anyone says any derivitive of the word “fierce”, drink.

During Panel elimination
Total your points to see how closely your choices (and a bit of luck) are in line with the Panel’s decisions. Did they eliminate who you picked in Rule #2? Or, was the person with your lowest total point scored eliminated? If so, you win!

Sunday September 16 kelly v. 3

MEtRoday: none

Tomorrow Kelly releases her third music video, something about wanting to wear a friend's sweater. I'm sure it will be all over YouTube in about a nanosecond, but the official release is on the artist's website.

In the meantime, you can watch Kelly's meeting with Hollywood executives who are eager to sign her. It does not go well.

Kelly: Shoes

Kelly: Txt Msg Brkup

UPDATE: Here's the direct link to the new video, "Let Me Borrow That Top."

Friday September 14 just recently

MEtRoday: 1257, 6126, 1286, 1036

These are some images that were emailed to me in the last 24 hours.

1. Sent in by Mr. Hope, whose better half snapped this full-length mirror in a München shoe store. You know you want to stand there and try on shoes. Shoes.

2. Sent in by Mrs. Zipperino Thalhammer, who resides in München. (Zip, have you seen Mr. Hope's better half walking around in stiletto heels dishing out a lot of attitude?) The pic is of the newly born Moritz Thalhammer, who weighs 3700 grams and is 53 centimeters in length. Hmn.

3. Sent by Todd F., the biggest Duran Duran fan EVER. Proof: He owns the Duran Duran board game. The pic is the just-released cover art of the new album, Red Carpet Massacre. 60 days to go.

4. Sent by Cleo Sorenson <joran.davie@lassnig.net> whom I've never met, but who wanted to share with me some info about discounted pharmaceuticals, should I be in the market for them. Thanks for the tip, C.

Thursday September 13 shoot it up

MEtRoday: 5056, 6068, 3039, 1291

OMG! Even NASA can't wait for next Wednesday's premiere of America's Next Top Model!! Here they are dangling Tyra's makeup case from the Space Shuttle!!!

!!!!

Wednesday September 12 invasion of the college students

MEtRoday: none

Series 9 of America's Next Top Model begins next Wednesday. Get ready to play.

Tuesday September 11 that other tuesday

MEtRoday: 5006, 2009, 3113, 3119

It was Stephanie's first day of work. She was starting at 9 West at Union Station. She and her husband Luis had been staying with me for about six weeks. They were set to move into their own apartment the next day.

The three of us were up, going through our morning routine, the TV was on watching the morning news (their choice). I was always the first to be in the shower and start my morning routine. As Stephanie is finishing with breakfast and Luis is in the shower, I leave the house, making my way to the Metro.

I ran into Eric's dad, Bill, at the Citibank. He talked about going to La Lomita for lunch and I said I wished I could join him. I looked at the Citibank clock, remembering that it said 8:46. It had begun.

Monday September 10 work: the good and bad, part ii

MEtRoday: 3161, 1180, 3148, 3285

Today my new promotion was announced. I am now the Director of Production Services. Sounds official and important, doesn't it? It involves managing projects as they work their way through the studio, getting in early-on involvement with clients, determining the process, assigning the workflow, being a point-of-contact. It is the direction I've wanted to move into for a while now. The opportunity presented itself and though I'll need some guidance, I think the time is ripe to step up to the plate. It's also the culmination of seven-and-a-half years with this company: the first stint (1997–2000) was spent establishing myself and struggling with an ineffective supervisor; the second stint (2003–present) has been spent securing independence and gaining management experience.

Salary negotiations should be worked out by the end of this week, just in time to start a new billing cycle. Every bit helps but I've got a number in mind and then I have my fantasy number. We're also hiring (at least three) more people and are shuffling our offices around. I'm moving two doors down, where they're laughin' and drinkin' havin' a party.

So the next couple of months is going to be a lot of change-a-happenin'. Oh, I'm also moving from Jump Street at the end of October so throw that in the mix as well. Let's hope it all—or at least most of it—goes smoothly.

Saturday September 08 the postcard club

MEtRoday: none

In a nod to the 10-days-away premiere (September 19) of my guilty pleasure, America's Next Top Model, I want to talk for a second about Elyse Sewell, and 2nd runner-up on Series 1 of ANTM.

She, like so many others, has a blog. She's spending a lot of time modeling in Hong Kong and so her entries are usually pretty fun and unique, with great photos of Chinese consumer products, Hong Kong streetlife and the occasional fashion shoot outtake.

Right now she's chillin' with her man, Marty from Fall Out Boy, self-described as a "pop punk/emo-rock band from Chicago". But Elyse and Marty are in Portland, just chillin' like I said.

In her most recent journal entry she says:

Dear readers, I have decided to spice up my down time in Portland by having a postcard exchange! Render your soul in postcard form, mail it to me, and if I receive it before the month of September is over, I'll send one back to you. Don't have a postcard or US$.30 to buy one? Make one, fool. Marty and I made these masterpieces with nothing but a cardboard saltine box and a pen (Marty did the drawing, I did the cutting).

Here's my address:
Elyse Sewell
1526 NE Alberta St #106
Portland, OR 97211 USA

(By the way, I've rented a temporary mailbox; that's not my home address. So if you've been planning to stalk'n'kill me, be sure to budget some extra time for the stalking.)

So wouldn't it be nice if we all sent Elyse a postcard, just to see if she stays true to her word?

Friday September 07 work: the good and bad, part i

MEtRoday: 3220, 2009, 5038

At work I have a production meeting every morning at 8:30, which is the time our business day starts. This meeting is held with one if not two VPs of Account Services. During this meeting we will review every employee's daily worklist to determine if anyone is slammed and might need assistance, or if anyone is too light and we redistribute the workload to accommodate.

The fourth leg of my morning commute, the bus (which I disaffectionately call the trolley), departs Brad-Ro in the morning every ten minutes: 8:00, 8:10, 8:20, etc. Since the trolley ride takes about 12 minutes to get to my office, I try to catch the 8:10. This gives me time to check a little email, maybe use the bathroom or get some coffee before my hour-long meeting starts.

Most of the times though, due to Metro's crappy service or some system-wide crippling delay at a station 20 miles away, I end up catching the 8:20. This gets me into work around 8:32 or 8:33, and on these days I grab my empty coffee cup and a pen and head straight into the lunchroom, where our meetings are held. Sometimes I'm there first, but not often.

In order to catch the 8:20 trolley, my last chance to get to work "on time" the last train I can catch at E. Mark is the 7:49, and that's only if there are no delays. After catching the Yellow Line Train at L'Enfant this gets me to Brad-Ro about 8:18, just in time.

This is what transpired today as I'm sitting down at the meeting table. I am playing the character of ME. The VP of Account Services is playing the character of RH:

ME: Good morning.
RH: Good morning. I'm going to be a jerk.
ME: Um, okay...
RH: I want this meeting to start at 8:30.

I look at RH's watch. It's 8:33.

ME: Okay.

This means that the 8:20 is now out of the question, due to it's 8:32 stop outside of the building. And instead of the 8:10 being my on-time ride it has to become my back-up, meaning the 8:00 has to be my on-time ride.

In order to catch the 8:00 trolley, I will now have to be at E. Mark at 7:24 to catch the Blue Line Train, transfer and pick up the Yellow Line Train at 7:39, to be at Brad-Ro at 7:56. This leaves a four-minute buffer before the 8:00 leaves so I doubt I'll be catching that one very often due to the above mentioned Metro incompetence. But that will still leave me the 8:10. Or I'll just end up walking from the Metro to work in order to save time. That'll be fun in 100 degree weather.

So a three-minute tardiness is now costing me a 25-minute earlier wake-up call.

This is the bad part of my worklife. Tune in Monday (evening) for the good part.

Thursday September 06 nick rhodes on red carpet massacre...

MEtRoday: o3033, 6037, 3016, 3017, 5110

From the fan community site:

"I am so happy we finally made a follow up to RIO. Took a while but I think we finally got there.... I think albums always feel more complete when they are written in a shorter period of time, although it is several years since the release of ASTRONAUT, these songs were all completed in short bursts of energy over the last 12 months and they feel like a set.

I know what I think but I'm never sure what you will think. So I look forward to your comments on a postcard. NR"

Pretty ballsy there, Nick, to compare the new album to your most seminal work. Time will tell. Red Carpet Massacre drops November 12 in Europe and November 13 in the U.S. Reserve you copy now.

Duran Duran will also be performing at Entertainment Tonight's Emmy party on Sunday, September 16, if you're interested.

UPDATE 09/07/07: The first single Falling Down releases to radio in the U.S. on September 25.

Wednesday September 05 every good boy deserves fudge

MEtRoday: 3040, 1017, 1016, 1157, 1156, 3277, 4014, 3179

Today Apple totally kicked their iPod line into high gear, with a media event hosted by Steve Jobs. The specs of the entire line is revamped, except for the shuffle, which is now available in new colors.

iPod nano: now shorter and squatter with full screen and video capabilities, and shares a similar horrible color palette as the shuffle. Did Jonathan Ive, Apple's design guru, pick these out? If so, he needs to come out of the lab for some fresh air. (although I do think the shuffle-only purple is kinda cool.)

iPod classic: this is the big iPod everyone's familar with, but now available in a whopping 160-gig hard drive and rebranded as "classic".

Ipod touch: this is the one everyone was waiting for. Almost identical in form factor of the iPhone, but it's an iPod with the rotating touchscreen of the iphone. Only avail in 8- and 16-gig though. But it has wireless internet and Wi-Fi, but no texting or email functions, although if you get email through a browser I guess it would work that way. Basically it's an iPhone without the phone.

Then the bomb dropped: reduced pricing on the iPhone. The 4-gigger went bye-bye and the 8-gigger is now $399, $200 less than it was when it first went on sale earlier this summer. And they're announcing an over-the-airwaves iTunes store, where you can download songs instantly to my your new iPod touch or iPhone, which will sync with your computer once plugged back in, copying the songs into your iTunes library. <drool>

Dear Santa, I've tried to be good this year as best I could. I think I've done pretty well. I'm very proud of myself at resisting the iPhonomenon. I thought I would have to wait until my 20-gig grayscale iPod died and my phone accidentally ended up in the river to even consider selling a kidney for an iPhone. Now I may not have to, if you check your list not once but twice. And even though I can barely pay my rent and don't need such extravagances, I would deeply appreciate a nicely-wrapped box with an Apple on it under the tree this year.

P.S. Do you like milk with your cookies? Or Kahlúa and vodka?

Tuesday September 04 goodbye summer, hello world

MEtRoday: 5044, 6053, 6081, 4004

Thanks for tuning into my ramblings. As of Monday I've started monitoring traffic to fuju here and I have to say I'm a little surprised. I figured I'd get hit by the usual suspects, those that leave comments and those who I kow read but don't leave comments. It's all good. Dowhuchoolike.

In the not-even 48 hours I've been tracking, I've had hits from Canada, Mexico, England, France and India. And then 116 others in the U.S. About 20 of those were mine, either uploading or proofing or checking the resolution on my computer at work.

The way I'm building this site, it's all manual. There's no template supplied with automatic backtracking and linking and grouping. I'm doing this all myself in Dreamweaver. So I've noticed that when people find a page through google, they're usually loading one of my archive pages like this. Which means they're not getting the topnav, just the bottom content. Yes, I'm using frames, I know it's so 1998 but it works for now.

So I've needed to add something that, if someone should search and load one of these bottom pages, there is a way to access the entire site with full navigation. You may have noticed a little "futurejunkie" logo down there by the comments section, and if you click on that it will launch the full site. It may be a stopgap solution for now, but it works. Go ahead, click on it! It's fun for about 3.8 seconds. Plus I was pretty impressed with myself using find/replace in the code of the pages to install it instead of having to add it to every entry. Anyone want to offer suggestions of a better way?

Saturday September 01 two trips

MEtRoday: 1060, 5167

My father calls me at work the other day (a rarity) and tells me he's received notice that my mother's headstone has been installed. I was going to Arlington this weekend anyway, to lay some flowers, so I'll be the first to see it. We're experiencing some tolerable late-summer weather so I end up riding my bike the entire way there, and back.

Now this may sound a little melodramatic, but as I'm sitting there at my mother's grave, there is no one else in sight and the white of the marble tombstones surrounding me is really blinding in the afternoon sun.

The method of organization in Arlington, at least in Section 64, has it so that in the summer, flowers placed on my mother's grave will be shaded by her tombstone. Maybe this will make them last a little longer in the summer sun.

By the time I arrive home, it's a rush to get showered and out the door to FogBot where Ateya's African dance company, KanKouran, is performing. The show represented the Lebou, Serere and Walo Walo tribes of Senegal.

About 50 dancers and 15 drummers participated but I was able to spot Ateya by her pelvic movements. Isn't that great, how you can pick someone out because you're familiar with the intricacies of their dancing?

Needless to say, KanKouran turnt. It. Out. <snap>