Chicago: Become Familiar with its Distinctive Neighborhoods

Oh, or course. Well, most newer TVs have a VGA port. Mine does not, so I am going to use a VGA to RCA cable and hook it up that way.

Also, if your computer has an S-Video outlet you could use that.

So far besides that first hour, 2008 has been pretty okay. Sorry for being a NYE Debbie Downer!

i had forgotten about that album

I guess you've been avoiding reviews of Vampire Weekend then?

-- jaymc, Wednesday, January 2, 2008 3:45 AM (9 hours ago) Bookmark Link

i saw that they often get some afropop comparisons, but i don't really hear it. they sound like the strokes with fancier guitar. i like some of their songs though.

i am listening to 'graceland' again. i think once i get the new reel-to-reel up and running i may have to record a cover of 'gumboots.'

just to stay in theme, after requesting that people give me "experiences" for xmas instead of stuff, i got two gift certificates to the old town school and i think i'm going to take african guitar this time. i also got a gift card for cooking classes at the chopping block, i need to figure out which ones i'm going to try.

i am listening to 'graceland' again.

awesome! And I mean that unironically. That's a weird and special record and I love it.

Dressing for work is going to be a small ordeal, I can tell. Three degrees? Seriously? Three? Oh jesus, I can do it, but it's going to max out my gear...

How I prepared for my bus-waiting and street walking (! ha !):
* warmest sweater I own (thanks to Nick)
* cuddle duds under jeans & cami under sweater
* big socks & snow boots
* big puffy coat
* hat and gloves and hood over hat
* hot mug of coffee in my hands

I am alone in the office so far. It's nice.

Oh yeah, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You know what's good? All the Paul Simon solo CDs have been reissued with a few bonus tracks. Graceland has demo versions of "Homeless" and one or two others. They're for sale as single tracks on iTunes.

If you get tired of Graceland, find Hearts and Bones for a few bucks somewhere...

I ended up at Ikea last night, and for a little over $40 bought: two pans; two pots; distowels; four knives in a knife rack; a desk lamp; a thing that sorts silverware in the drawer; a jar of ligonberry jam; and three little spatulas.

Nice! Nick and I got new pots & pans from his 'rents and new towels. It was like a wedding shower all over again. :-P

Dressing for work is going to be a small ordeal, I can tell. Three degrees? Seriously? Three? Oh jesus, I can do it, but it's going to max out my gear...

Pphhht. Pussy. Three degrees is sweater weather in the U.P.!

(Heading off Dan commentary. I have only been to the U.P. once and it was summer time.)

My office is frrrreezing.

I'm wearing regular clothes (pants, longsleeve shirt) covered by

*wool pants
*sweater
*thick hoodie

and I'm sitting in front of the space heater.

And the oven is on and open.

All that is left is burning the furniture and then self-immolation.

I brought hot chocolate mix. Swiss Miss is 10/$10 at Jewel!

Or if you prefer, you could get 1/$1.

I would like to get a promotion where my job is just as it is now, but I'm never asked to open two weeks worth of a coworkers mail and then sort it.

Hot chocolate sounds like a great idea.

did you know: hot chocolate is neither hot nor chocolate

I am not allowed to open mail (unless it's to me) because |_|bby (ladyboss) opens everyone's mail and date stamps it.

Fine with me.

haha-xpost

http://991.com/newGallery/Hot-Chocolate-20-Greatest-Hits-289357.jpg

"Every 1's A Winner" is unbeatable.

The UP (at least the Keweenaw, where I am from) is warmer than Chicago because of its proximity to Superior.

Also, I am back at work for the first time in 2 weeks and it feels... ok? I must be old.

I'm back, but I'm not working much, and not expecting to have to since the bosses don't return till late tomorrow. I would work if there was any, but alas, I am keeping myself busy by running Spybot and Adaware.

Haha. No bosses till MONDAY now. They're in Michigan and "the weather is too bad to travel."

Jeff/Jenny: where'd u get that train board game from?

I can tell you that (from what they've said) neither Jenny nor Jeff go to ILX at work anymore. Except Jenny during lunch.

i can tell you that you can get it (ticket to ride) by googling "ticket to ride" or possibly at that game store in the landmark theater mall thingie.

Yeah I guess I am more interested in finding local stores that have nerdball games like that. mattttttt got a WWII one lately that is pretty fun.

also recommended for people who enjoy transit games:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512bRbetipL._AA280_.jpg
best with more than 2 players, though

that store in the mall (where the theater and aveda salon are) should have it and more. we got carcassonnne discovery recently.

there is also a game store in the water tower place mall

or there used to be

carcassonnne discovery

Ha, I've only been talking about these kinds of games for a few days but that is like the third or fourth time I've heard that one mentioned.

there is a well-stocked game store in the burbs (skokie, maybe?) where we went once to get a carcassonne expansion. they had like 20 tables set up and there was a bounty of geeks playing games there. i was the only woman in the store.

no i could not smell nerd sweat.

So are people still interested in GAME NIGHT at my place on Saturday?

i don't really understand "game night" -- are we all playing the same game? are we playing "party games" like pictionary, etc? are we in corners playing different games? is there some kind of tourney?

i have to leave in a few minutes to pick up my friend visiting from japan but i must know the answers to these burning questions.

don't get played, gamer

i am interested in GAME NIGHT

though i don't really get excited about crazy games. i like old-school games

I'd be up for Saturday if I don't end up going to dinner with my neighbors from back home, who will be in town.

Games like the WWII one, while fun, are not the best party games. Only 2 or 3 people can play at a time.

"i like old school games"
http://www.bonitalake.com/images/Mens%20Shuffleboard%20League%20Jan%202006-3.jpg

i am not sure if i am up for saturday or not, because i might be hanging with friend from out of town...we'll see

i guess everyone has vetoed tt this week? that's fine.

I wish I could make it for game night, but for some stupid reason I am working at Catch that night.

Maybe next time.

I am up for game night!

I would be up for TT if it was a Bring Your Own Cocktail.

I haven't thought that far ahead, Amanda. We could all play the same game, or we could be in different rooms playing different games, or whatever you like.

Dan- they bought their games at the Century shopping center.

Shuffleboard is fun!

I might be having a mini-tt with a couple of work people (incl. Kevin, maybe?) in my 'hood. Anyone who felt like it could come out, too.

xpost thanks!

My mom gave us guitar hero. :-D

I just realized that it is Wednesday, and not in fact Monday, and that the weekend will be here soon. That is amazing.

Also I posted all the movies I watched in '07 on my blog.

i think once i get the new reel-to-reel up and running i may have to record a cover of 'gumboots.'

totally want to hear this. i kinda love paul simon.

a friend recently taught at the chopping block, so i could get some inside info on what classes are good if you wanted...or comical stories about instructors.

for xmas i got:
ipod nano yay yay yay from k
cd of bach mp3s from dad yay
sweater that would make me look like elmo if were ever caught dead in it, unreturnable
promised check that was later backed out of--thanks for the empty promise, mom!
juicy melon scented candles
notecards
something forthcoming in the mail that i think i'll actually like!

I played the Golden Tee-type bar version of cornholing (Bags) on new Years Eve, and it is very fun.

I think Saturday's good for games. Got Yahtzee.