That is the PA Turnpike to you and me. On the long drive to Ohio this Thanksgiving weekend I stared out the window for much of the time. There isn't alot to see, but these are the hilights littering the side of the pike. All this for only paying 4 dollars round trip! God Bless Union Strikes!

Windmills in Somerset PA. Read the facts about them. We need some more!

Mail Pouch Tobacco signs on the sides of the barns. Some body made it a hobby to find them! This site has a photo library of signs on barns in Ohio. Here is a sign musuem online...

Out of place steps from the eastbound lane leading to St John the Baptist Church

There is a documentary on the history of the tunrpike and the stops all along the way. But I can't seem to find it online. It airs on WHYY occasionally. Keep yer eyes peeled for it.

For having friends, family...
For seeing Grenada before the hurricanes hit...
For my basement not flooding...
For good food...
For going to Vegas with Eric...
For being able to ride my bike to work...
For having food to eat...
For living in a country where we can choose our leader (even though it didn't work out in my favor)
For being able to blog freely without persecution!

Happy Thanksgiving. Now go hug yer mom.

I love my Kiln Enamel necklace. I bought it last year on sale at this trendy gift boutique in Wayne. If you haven't seen thier stuff, then you are a loser. Deal!

Since this is my first house I need to get a Christmas tree that is all my own. But as most of you know, my house is lacking in extra room where one can plop a large tree. I don't have room for a big old "cut down with an axe" tree, and I don't wan't a fake one.

But I was reading about how you can use a Norfolk Island Pine tree as your Xmas tree, then keep it around as a houseplant! Genius!

I also want to make some ornaments this year. Here are the ones I'm going to attempt! Thanks Martha.

Dot Garland
Beaded Stars
Tinsel Stars
Button Wreaths

And of course I will be spending hours making pop-corn garland. Ow.

Whilst enjoying a fine fall evening at the home of Miss Sue and Miss Michelle, we played a special little game called Headbandz that they acquired at a local Thrifte Shoppe. I searched endlessly on the inter-web for said game, but alas - my search was in vain. This site from my motherland, England, was the only one that featured a photograph of the game.

It was jolly good fun! Thank you ladies for a special evening.

Check out some cute pics of my favorite people.

I love sick, insane comic strips

I dont know who is dumber - the person that is selling this or the people that are bidding???

Last week I watched clips from Afghanistan:Uneveiled at WHYY. It really broke my heart, made me angry and feel helpless at the same time, but also made me grateful for what I have. I have been thinking about donating money to charities this year, and I think after seeing the film last nite I will most likely give to Women for Afghan Women or a similiar organization,

Sadly today Margaret Hassan, a charity worker in Iraq, was killed. She was one of many people in the middle east working with the people there to better thier surroundings. She worked for CARE International...

My baby is away in Chicago. So, I'm going to take a mental vacation there. I'm dying to see Millennium Park in person.

And I wonder if there is a tour of things that were in Ferris Bueller's Day Off?

I am not going to bother getting all whiney about the election. Everyone else has done that for me, more eloquently that I ever will. I'm sure everything will be ok. Plus look at it this way - we have 4 more years of jokes.

Bush getting re-elected is funny !

So back to reality...Ewan MacGregor, My Future Husband After Eric Dies, is in this great new show on Bravo. Check it out. It reminds me of my times in Europe, minus the crotch-rockets and friendly Europeans.


BTW - Eric totally looks like Neil Patrick Harris.


Saw The Incredibles Friday night. Downside, saw it at The Bridge in West Philly on a Friday night. On the plus side, it was AMAZING. Go see it. Now. Go.

Is it wrong that I have a crush on the dad?

I was just on the BBC radio website because I was in the mood for some good tunes and John Peel always delivered. As I was listening to the show from Tuesday, there was some other guy on talking about how they were going to miss him. Alas - John died last Monday. Read his obit here. Instead of his usual shows three times a week, they played some of the music from old Peel Sessions.

As I was trying to console myself I listened to this cool 4 part-series about BritPop called "Don't Look Back In Anger".

I watched America's Ugliest Bathroom last nite. They were bad/gross/horrible/unliveable. People need to get a grip.

Now they are having one for kitchens. If you win, you get a new one. Duh. Hell my kitchen ain't ugly but yours might be. So sign up.

Eric and I hit up Vegas this past weekend for our friends', John and Sam, wedding at Paris. We had a blast! Saw all the big hotels on the strip, I hung out with the ladies (and the boys went out separately, to the library I'm sure) and Eric and I had some quality time together.

Our favorite place was the Bellagio hands down. From the food, the interior and the fountain show, it was the classiest place there. And how can I forget...The botanical gardens had huge pumpkins and fountains and a cool glass sculpture ceiling by Chihuly in the reception area.

The gals witnessed the Thunder from Down Under Friday night at the Excalibur. There was much abuse of tear away velcro pants. And did you know that it will cost you 15 dollars to get a Polaroid with you and a greasy beefcaked Aussie?

Saturday we did more walking and just relaxed saturday night. And watched the Red Sox game. And cuddled.

Sunday was Eric's bday and the day of the wedding. It was a short, sweet and all around great ceremony and reception. I got to know some of Eric's old friends, and we made new friends as well.

Monday we rented a car and drove to the Valley of Fire State Park and to the Hoover Dam. Definitely two must-see for anyone going out to Vegas. Although I am deathly afraid of heights, the dam was impressive and had some cool art deco area signs and sculptures as well. The valley was majestic and every turn had great photographic opportunities.

That nite we drove back to LV for one more night. After driving to Mandalay Bay and finding out that the restaurant that we wanted to dine at was closed for a party, we settled on going to the Pink Taco at the Hard Rock Hotel. Ahem. There were kids eating there! And old people! And no one seemed to care the place was named after a vagina! Despite this, the food was excellent and the girls working there had cute outfits to boot.

After dinner we roamed around and looked at the memorobilia on the walls around the casino floor. I got to see Britney's outfit from "Hit Me Baby One More Time" video and even a flannel belonging to Kurt Cobain.

The only dissapointing part of the trip was not seeing any celebs. Monday night was the NBC Radio Awards. A friend said that she saw Leo Dicaprio at the Bellagio (while we were there at the same time!). I would've settled for seeing Chingy.

Despite the lack of gawking, all the walking, the crazy drunks roaming the sidewalk and all the weddings going on all over the place - we had an awesome weekend. I reccomend for everyone to go at least once. Make sure you have some quarters to blow on the slot machines! Our favorites were the Kenny Rogers "The Gambler", and the one that I won on, the new Monopoly slots.

And be sure to walk all the way down to the Frontier. In the lobby there are really cool old slot machines and even a Family Feud one all the way in the back near Gilley's. Speaking of which, I wish we weren't so tired Saturday night, because they have Bikini Bullriding!


The other thing I didn't get to do was to walk around the old cheesy part of town on Freemont, and re-inact the "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" Video.


Like I said to Eric on our last night there, holding hands, walking around the Mexicans that hand out flyers for strippers: "Vegas makes everyone feel like they are a big shot no matter who you are!"

Let's have Pinhole Camera Day! Learn how to make one here.

If you rasterbate too much you will get hairy knuckles.

Haven't you heard the Grey Album yet??? Jeeze.

The new U2 song is out! Their tour kicks off next June in Dublin. Hmmm.

Not the band silly. The time of year. And all the good stuff about it. Like not sweating your bum off while making dinner.

New Handsome Boy Modeling School album (and some others)

Halloween Idea Maker Thingie

Carving Pumpkins and other seasonal stuff the Saxton Freymann way


Hot Apple Cider

Looking at people's dogs. Speaking of which - I love the new mural on the Morris Animal Refuge!

This should be an Olympic Sport. Thanks for the link Michelle!

I spent way to much time downloading last nite. I need help. Write to these people and tell them to stop! They all begin with the letter "S", just like SATAN!

Scenstars
Stereogum
Senses Working Overtime
Said the Gramophone
*6ize

And the Lord sayeth they were good. So yeah. If you are cranked and hungry go to Ikea. Two hot dogs and a soda AND a huge bag of chips for like 3 bucks. All in all a fun afternoon.

Mr. PicassoHead is a fun way to waste away the day at work. Here is one I did to reflect my mood today. I don't even own a black turtleneck, but I'm thinking of getting one now.

I have had animals on the brain lately. I watch way too much animal planet. I cry when I see handicapped people being aided by dogs that are their best friends...Then I cry when I see a dog or cat getting rescued from a neglegent owner. Sigh.

Eric and I are thinking about getting a dog next year. He has his heart set on an Irish Terrier like he had when he was wittle.



I even had a dream where I had a dog and a cat and the dog would pick up the phone in his mouth when it rang and brought it to me.



I love to look at Petfinder and read all the sob stories. Like the one about Mr. Chips, a dog with one eye.

This is a good directory of animal rescues in the U.S.
Philly based pet-to-person partnership program

So ya..I'm lazy. But Michelle Poole has gotten off her butt and blogged!

Oh the joys of buying a home. And the agony of getting contractors to call you back! Angie's List might be a solution.

I want to re-make my solarium out of this stuff. And then get a hot tub put in there. And wet bar.

I think I'm spending too much on my cell phone with Verizon. It's expensive! But I compared plans here. I think I might go with AT&T.

Get me this. Please. I'm a Lomo Geek. I think if I get a cat I will name him Lomo. Or Beulah. I love that name. Or Zetta.

I can't decide where I want to eat with Adrienne and Caroline for my belated BDay dinner. PhillyLunchBox to the rescue!

The Best Week Ever has a blog.

Who else had one of these when they were little?


Or one of these?



I had both. Korey survived but I think The animator is long gone.

Welcome to the world Rachel - You are lucky to have Eric as an uncle!

Philadelphia Restaurant Week is Sept 26-Oct 1. Pig out for Cheap.

My friend recomended this case for the iPaulina.



Let the games begin. This time around I haven't really heard much hype at all about the games. I forgot they were coming up and didn't see one commercial about it. Anyhoo. I love the opening ceremonies - but I know that I probably won't catch it tonite. Someone TiVo that shite.

I think Monica needs a car. I should just do the car share! Who else is in?

This pas year, Adrienne and I have made it a point to walk around Olde City and really notice and visit historical sights in the area. All us non-tourists that live here take what's around us for granted most if not all of the time. I think this is next on my list to visit - the Poe house.

This site claims that Philly is America's most haunted city. I admit it does get scary at times.

Catsitting. Kai and I have bonded. I have cleaned up his poop. I have let him lick me even though his breath smells of belly button. I will miss the fuzzbucket. So when and if Kai-ser Solze ever leaves this earth I will get Adrienne this.



Playing with the iPod. Still no cover for the damn thing. And it scratches so easily. It scares me and Martin makes fun of me as I gently put it down and nicely put it away. Anyhoo. I dont like Mac OSX and iPods as much as this person. Ahem. These are utterly hilarious. God bless the Japanese.

More iPod laffs. Because its so expensive you have to lafff.
And old skool iPods. So-to-speak.

Not keeping up with politics. That's Eric's job. But this is hysterical. And I have a crush on Will Ferrel only when he plays George W. Is that wrong?

Seeing Movies. Like Maria Full of Grace. And The Village. Also really enjoying the 2nd season of The Office.

Wasting time. This site makes me feel bad about myself. Listening to the Dismemberment Plan. On their site, you can stream whole albums. That's cool.

...an iPod! Thanks Eric. Its pretty. And I want one of these bc they are so gay they are cute.



More iPod cozy craziness

Rejected iPod engravings

Look at these geeks posing with their iPods. Maybe there is one with someone over their other pod. Gross. Oh wait - here is one.

This is HOTT. From drbott.com

Michelle granted my birthday wish to almost kiss Jude Law ala photoshop!


My other wish to have a musical written about me came true! Oh wait...wrong Monica. Although I do think Lincoln is ugly-hott.


Other 7-27 Babies-What a motely crüe we are.
Actor Jerry Van Dyke ("Coach") is 73.
Bassist Karl Mueller of Soul Asylum is 41.
Singer Juliana Hatfield is 37.
Comedian Maya Rudolph ("Saturday Night Live") is 32.
Singer Pete Yorn is 30

Linda Ronstadt was booed off stage in Vegas for praising Michael Moore. WTF???

And, And...I was in Borders the other day and was perusing this book. WTF???

Actually, now that I look on-line there is alot of criticism out there on him. But - why is it ok to criticize him and not the leaders of our country?

Since my last bike got nicked (may it rest in peace-and may the bastard that stole it rot in hell) I am taking charge this time and keeping my new ride indoors. I am also going to register it with KryptoLok and the Philadelphia Police. Buy maybe there is a basement in the Alamo and my bike is there, safe and happy.

I also took it out for a stroll this past weekend, inspired by the Tour de France. Eric and I did the loop around the river and it was nice to enjoy the finer parts of Philadelphia. Lately I really haven't been in love with the City of Brotherly Hate, so it was a cathartic ride. We ended our ride in Rittenhouse square with wobbly legs and me with a sweaty bum, but I was thinking that this isn't such a bad place after all. Then the people next to us started smoking cigars...

And when I can afford a second bike I'm going to get it from Momovelo.

Thanks to Michelle Poole, I now have a G-Mail account. Email me so I can live the magic.

Every where I look there are men with white beards all over the place! Last nite I saw a man with red suspenders, a long furry beard and some missing teeth. And plastic knee pads. What were the pads for? This morning - I saw two more men with white beards and it's unknown if there were missing teeth. Maybe white beards are the faux-hawks of Summer '04?

Was looking in my "in-box" and found this link from last year. Michelle Poole took some cute pics of me, Kelly, Sue, and herself. Adorable-ness!Check em.

So, yah I haven't blogged for a while. I don't know why. Do people even read this damned thing? Just been lazy and haven't felt über inspired lately.

Bike got stolen from in front of my house last week. That totally stunk. But on the good side, I can now get a cool new bike. Thinking of getting a Giant. And sometimes I dream of living in a Fishtown thats not so ghetto. Blah. I have no link for this. But thinking about Turbo in the movie "Breakin" makes me happy. FYI - The guy who plays turbo, Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers, produced the movie "Kids". Hmm.


Let's see. This weekend we all took Adrienne out for her bacherlorette party, or BP as me and Caroline liked to call it. Was a blast and unfortunately there are ugly pics out there now on the web of me with chins. Not good. But anyhow they exist and I feel the need to post them here. AND here.

So after seeing Fahrenheit 9/11 I am now all political and what not. Monica mad! This makes it all look like a joke though.

I'm kinda obsessed now with some of the Jantzen ads from the 50's on this site . But there are plenty of things here for everyone.


Like I was saying to Kelly, cute toast things are the cows for the 00's. Remeber when everything was about cows? And Spuds Mackenzie? Well. We think that burnt bread is the new thing.
Old toasters
Toast Doll

Was reading the Inky today and came across an article onPhillyFreeCycle, where peeps can get together and give away their junk to those who need it. Pretty Cool. There are also sites for the burbs and counties in the area.

On the same note is Please Take Materials Exchange in Philly.


When is Re-Store going to get an online shop going? Argh.

But the Architectural Antiques Exchange does...

Completed another music DVD here at work for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Just brings back alot of college memories, especially being in Larry's VW and singing along to the soundtrack from Swingers. You're so money.

This is creepie. What exactly can a monkey do for you?

I want this guy to paint dogs in my bathroom....going to the bathroom. Is that wrong? It might be cute.

Make your own
personal anime icon. We are all doing it. So should you.

Good links to crafty stuff and what not from this girl in Fishtown. Some really cool stuff out there!

Some cool happenings in my favorite town:


This weekend is the Italian Market Festival. Or 9th Street for those in the know.


Michelle B. posted some pics of K and D's wedding and other sorted events. Check out the photos from Katie's Bacherlorette party. You will see pics of Patrick, our plastic little friend. We had a good ol time at Bally's in AC. We rocked out at the lounge old school style.
Anyhoo I'm glad she posted the pics and is a blogger freak too, kinda. Her blog site is luxurious. She has some nice photos. I'm jealous that I cant post pics more often b/c I'm using a Mac and the photo-poster-thing only works on PC's. Dannggitt!


More cool Philly photos from the past that feature old ads


Neat-o art thing at the Mütter that I wont get to bc I have a job:
Friday June 4, 1pm
A thematic tour on "nothing" of the artists' works and the collection by Gretchen Worden, Director of the Mütter Museum, and ICA's Tanya Leighton.


These are all the galleries that are participating in "The Big Nothing" ICA Gallery thingie. I love the ICA, but I don't ever get up there. First Friday rolls around and I'm usually sleepie.

RadioHead gone cuntry! Gotta hear it if you are a RadioHead-head.

Philly Old School Style Some awesome comparisons of Philly then, and now.

Jez, my new four legged friend! We had a blast with her this weekend at Steve's BBQ. Her mommy Kelly brought her along and we ate foods and watched DVDs!

Jerry and Superman are a cute couple - not that there is anything wrong with that


This thing is just plain scary

Polydactyl Cats!
Gotta hand it to them! Ha.


Ummmm. A kalaidescope of people parts

Yo Kiddies - Check out my buddies' thang at Transit -

NiteCamp.com

Transitnightclub.com


Get ready for Philly's hottest new party!!!
NITECAMP Friday, June 4th Nitecamp Launch Party@Transit
(9:00p.m-3:30a.m)
DJ Jonathan-Club mixes, DJ Paris-Electro, 80 hip hop,
retro mixes,Nitecamp Scouts, SNATCH Models Fashion Show
and lots more


18+ party 21 to drink proper ID

OI! The Streets' new video is all that and a bag of fish-n-chips.


Buy the Jeffrey Gaines Live DVD/CD. I did the menus and we authored the disc here at Cubist

Baby Eric on the DC Metro 

Well I'm coming down from a crazy weekend of wedding tears, rehearsals, drinks, dancing (alot) and birthday parties with kiddies and sweat. Katie and Dan's wedding was a BLAST - although the weather was hot we all hung in there. Was a short but amazingly sweet ceremony and we all had tears in our eyes as Dan started to give his vows.

The reception was fun! We all tore up the small dance floor and the bridesmaids, esp Michelle "Slutty-eri", were soaking their dresses with sweat and spilled cosmos. Things got a little nutty when Nirvana came on. I think my toes got stepped on alot. And, today my calves hurt. But it was an amazing night and we all made alot of memories. We took silly pics and were generally ridiculous.

Today I left the goodbye bfast for K and D and then went to my niecs, Hannah's third bday. There was a carnival theme and I was the face painter. The moonbouce was amazingly tiring but exciting. All the kids went in the pool and I sat in the shade like an old lady.

So hence another weekend gone...But here are some fun web reads for the day-

More fun with Courtney Love

All these people and thier motivation to craft!

Amazing chocolates that Katie gave to all her bridesmaids

Me and the E-man in DC with some huge phallus... 

Right now I'm enjoying every American's right - Not working. I'm at the boy's house while he is at work bc I have to be at the wedding rehearsal at 2 oclock. Joy. So the inner-net is my new friend.

Some cool stuff:

Cheap-ass mags!!! Now I can be well informed and have more clutter - for cheaper.

I've rejoined up with the GetCrafty/Glitter crown at SuperNaturale.com

Steve's LiveJournal is a trip into the deep recesses of his mind.

My first post! Im drinking a G and T, so...not much is going to get done.

Happenings this week...

Eric and I posted our pictures of our vaction to Grenada

Saw my man Bono at the rally for The One Campaign. His speech was pretty amazing!

Katie and Dan are finally tying the knot this weekend! Congrats, kids.