The American Sector

The American Sector is On the Move!

2006-05-15T20:27:00.000-05:00

When blogging's got you down... when you don't think you can ever post on a regular basis again... there's only one thing to do: Change your URL!!!! That way, no one can ever find your useless musings about the meaningless aspects of your life. Everyone will lose interest, forget that you used to be somebody, and you will have to start over from scratch. But at least it will be a fresh scratch with a new car smell. So here it is, folks. http://americansector.wordpress.com/ Different look... same good old American Sector flavor.

The End of the Sidewalk

2006-04-30T23:08:00.000-05:00

I found the end of cable television the other night. That point where the channels disappear and you fall off into a Shel Silverstein-like precipice. It was the national paintball championship on ESPN2. I have had the pleasure of playing paintball just once - at a bachelor party. Right before the first round of combat, a teammate (and veteran of the game) asked me if I had played before. I answered no, so he shot me in the stomach at point blank range and said, "It won't get any worse than that, so don't be a pussy." Fantastic good times! But I must admit, it's quite a business model - it's not too much money to enter the paintball "grounds" or rent a gun. Where they get you is the ammo. They charge up the wazoo for the actual paintballs, and they sell them by the thousand. I left the grounds bruised and battered and out $120. Looking back, the whole scene is ripe for someone's PhD thesis. But watching it on television, it lacked the full tilt adrenaline, the chaos, and most of all - the painful welts. Oh well, I guess it's back to bowling.

You Learn Something New Every Day...

2006-04-26T20:31:00.000-05:00

...like the fact that space time is flexible. And if something can happen, it will. That's my Cliff Notes version of the Murphy's Law explanation on the workings of universe given by Sean Carroll, everybody's favorite theoretical physicist. He was at the Map Room tonight to kick of the Chicago chapter of Cafe Scientifique. In a mere twenty minutes he explained the birth of the universe, why Boltzmann killed himself when no one listened, and how come the beer won't leap from the floor into my cup. Good times were had by all. We had to go before the Q & A session - but that's ok, because Sean has threatened to go all Socratic on us. And if you need to know what a public radio lackey was doing there.... drinking.

Bush Blurbs The American Sector

2006-03-28T09:31:00.000-06:00

I've been trying to drum up some more traffic for the American Sector, so I've been looking for some A list celebrities to give me some blurbs. Gretchen Helfrich... so over me. Ira Glass.... busy on the lecture tour. Cass Sunstein... overexposed. Billy Corgan.... can't read. So it was much to my delight to find that our fine President gave this blog an unsolicited endorsement this morning. Thanks President Bush! Now I present to you the back cover of the paperback edition of the American Sector.

"Josh is a creative policy thinker. He's an expert on the budget and our economy. He's respected by members of Congress from both parties. ...He's a man of candor and humor and directness who's comfortable with the responsibility and knows how to lead. ...The next three years will demand much of those who serve our country. We have a global war to fight and win. We have great opportunities to expand the prosperity and compassion of America. We've come far as a nation, yet there's a lot on the road ahead. ...Congratulations, Josh."
- George W. Bush, President of the United States of America.
March 28th, 2006.

I Want My 4 Hours Back

2006-03-14T19:24:00.000-06:00

Dearest Sister, I am writing with the awkward task of delivering a bill. But first, I must thank you for being such a wonderful host when I was in Seattle last month. Your hospitality was, as always, top notch. That's one of the reasons I felt so bad about stealing your book. You see, I found it in the guest bedroom and figured it wasn't one of your cherished tomes. Needing something to pass the time on my flight home, I just took the book. When it comes down to it, you probably expect such behavior from your little brother. Here's the thing. This book was terrible. I mean really bad. 128 chapters of literary vomit. Passages like, "Susan had gotten used to Hale hitting on her. His favorite line was about interfacing to see if their hardware was compatible," undercut any plot twists that might have sparked my interest. And that blurb from Midwest Book Review on the back cover that reads, "A chilling thrill a minute" - I'm sorry, but that dog won't hunt. So, it's my unfortunate duty to charge you for the 4 hours of my life I wasted on your book. Being salaried, it was hard to come up with a fair figure, so I did a little searching online for freelance rates. Boy, there's a wide range of figure out there, but I'm sure we can agree that $242.63 is a fair price for a worker of my experience. Remember, I will have to pay self-employment tax on this income. So keep an eye out for a package containing the book and an invoice. It should arrive UPS ground within 5-9 days (nothing but the best for you, Sis!). Thanks!

All Things Austin!

2006-03-13T20:55:00.000-06:00

Austin is the new Brooklyn! Or at least it feels that way from the Great Middle West. Adam from Schadenfreude is among the herd down in Austin for SXSW, and get this - he's blogging (No!). Yes! And get this - he's found a wireless connection! But to really understand Austin, you need to go native. For a perspective of the home town crowd, the place to go is Neal Pollack's Maelstrom. Neal (pictured at left...but it could pass as Adam if you squint your eyes) has a new focus for his literary adventures: his family. Boy, if you thought 10 year olds talking about fascism was funny, just wait until you read about 4 year olds talking hairballs. Kids really do say the darndest things! Cosby - it's time somebody gets a blog...

Now I Can Die a Happy Man

2006-03-13T18:56:00.000-06:00

Big news over at Schadenfreude.net. Can you spell r-e-d-e-s-i-g-n? Look out Rupert Murdoch, this outfit is looking to become the next Time Warner, only funnier (and more successful). They're bringing the funny via video, audio, and hot pix of chix with short hair on Fridays. And best of all, the whole gang continues blogging - just now they look all "pro" and "Zorn-like" (do I smell a sell out?..). But the real reason that I am bringing this up is that after 9 months of pestering, a certain Justin Kaufmann has finally returned a little link-love back American Sector way. I am getting new servers ready to handle the enormous surge in traffic I expect. The downside is that I have to buy Justin a pack of lipitor for every click through.

Reduced to Blogging About Work

2006-03-12T17:39:00.000-06:00

But I'm not ashamed... Here's the deal - a number of workmates are headed down to Austin this week for South By Southwest. We talked them (twisted their arms, really) into blogging about their adventures in the lone star state. First up is Third Coast producer Roman Mars (speaking of divination, Roman is on a panel about the future of radio—I just hope he brings his ipod). By the look of his first few posts, I'm guessing this guy has a secret blog he's not telling us about. Already, he has the quote of the week:

Blogging and web design are a lot like rock n' roll and cinema, but the creatives behind them are even pastier, with even more limited upper body strength.

Well said, Roman! Later in the week, Robin Linn from Sound Opinions will be trying to follow Roman's act by telling the world how if feels to produce the world's only rock and roll talk show (TM). Be sure to check back to the blog throughout the week for all the hot gossip from the conference (I told Robin I want the really really super hot gossip about popstar Jessica Simpson. "Do whatever is necessary to obtain this information!" Maybe there's a session on it? Maybe I could be a panelist!? maybe...).

Will This Help Me Play the Market?

2006-03-12T17:08:00.000-06:00

Back in the days of Preposterous Universe, Sean Carroll (now of Cosmic Variance) found the true killer-ap for ipod: divination. Just throw that puppy on shuffle, and let the little white oracle do it's thang. I never got to play the game with PU, but Sean has kept the tradition going over at CV, so I thought I would finally hop on the bandwagon. At first, I admit I had doubts about the power of the ipod to see the future. But then I reminded myself that I'm the person who has a pencil drawing on my wall made by my great grandmother's psychic surgeon (I'm completely serious - it's quite a sight). Anyways, here's Sean's latest glimpse into the future. And here's the tarot code. My humble entry is as follows:

The Covering: Galaxy 500, When Will You Come Home?
The Crossing: Cansecos, A Common State of Being
The Crown: Quasimoto, Another Demo Tape
The Root: The Smiths, This Charming Man
The Past: Kings of Convenience, The Girl From Back Then
The Future: Beatles, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
The Questioner: John Coltrane, You Say You Care
The House: Jimmy McGriff, Funky Junk
The Inside: Nina Simone, I Wish I Knew How It Feels
The Outcome: The Arcade Fire, Neighborhood #4

I have to say, I was really nervous about what was going to come up. My ipod has a lot of the little one's tunes on there (and a number of very, very guilty pleasures), so I lucked out here. What if Hillary Duff had come up as The Past? Or High School: The Musical as The House?! We'd all be up the river for sure. As it stands, The Future is looking repressed. Someone should tell Apple about this game. Maybe these little devices will finally catch on.

Googlefast

2006-03-02T23:36:00.000-06:00

One of the strangest moments at the IMA Conference came during an early morning session on podcasting (which felt even earlier thanks to a late night at the Cha Cha Lounge). Our moderator was one Chris Pirillo, a hot shot blogger/podcaster (pictured at left). He was in the midst of a power point presentation when he realized that he needed to look something up on the web. On the projector we could all see he was about to do a search in the toolbar when he stopped in his tracks, went silent, and said... "um... I'm sorry. I can't do this. Can someone come up here and enter this search for me?" He explained that he had just started a experiment where he refrained from using anything Google for a full week. You can check out the results on his blog. Start with Day 1, and then see how he's feeling on Day 7. As for the session, it was agreed that podcasts are a great way to get content to your users... and make sure they never come to your website.

North By Northwest

2006-03-01T21:54:00.000-06:00

I'm back from a week in Seattle for the Public Radio New Media Conference. It's put on by the IMA, an organization formed to address how the internet is changing public broadcasting. There were some really interesting sessions and speakers, and a clear consensus that we may be watching a huge opportunity pass us by if nothing is done. I was told by one presenter that public radio is in a better launch position than any internet start-up out there, thanks to the brand loyalty we enjoy. But just an hour later I was told by someone else that "our collective house is on fire and we have 12 to 18 months to put it out or we all die." So, it's a mixed bag to be sure - but hell, I'm willing to keep pushing the rock up the hill. More reaction (and a lot of industry speak) at the IMA Blog.

So That's Where All My Third Eye Blind CD's Went...

2006-02-20T20:49:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry to report that the Torino Olympics have hit yet another roadblock as they struggle to capture the imagination and interest of the world. While the TV ratings tank in a hopeless battle against instant news reporting on the internet, it has now been revealed by anonymous sources that the medals being handed out to the winners at Torino are nothing more than cheap compact discs purchased at a Coconut's going-out-of-business sale. Meanwhile, seeing a chance for a new and more stable business model, the RIAA realized the only way to get a return on the huge advances shelled out for the next Tatu album is to unload all physical storage media in stock on the International Olympic Committee. The IOC seduced by the shiny rainbow reflections and the tinny sound, agreed to buy the discs at $16 a pop - which left the recording industry laughing all the way to the bank.

It's Time We Had A Talk About Fascism...

2006-02-02T21:04:00.000-06:00

Ok - I had to explain fascism to a 10 year old today. Who knew that 5th grade teachers were guiding our children through the great political ideologies of the 20th century? I have prepared in my head the bully talk, the bad grades talk, the why I won't buy you an XBox 360 talk... I have even had insomnia over the anticipated birds and bees talk. But fascism? I was totally caught off guard. I felt I had two options: A) explain that Hitler was a bad, bad crazy man. Or B) go into some abstract over-explanation of totalitarianism & national socialism during the interwar period, with a little Weimar economics thrown in. So... I just started talking. Talking talking talking until her eyes glazed over. Her response: "Nazi' shouldn't be so mean". Yes, that's right, Nazi's are bad bad bad crazy people. Now you go do your homework, brush your teeth, and stay away from those Nazis.

Worst. Headline. Ever.

2006-01-31T18:48:00.000-06:00

Has someone at the Tribune been reading too many blogs? Maybe the headline writer? This. Little. Trick. has gone too far. I'm guilty of using it. Hector's guilty. It's time the blogosphere take a hard look in the mirror. Must. Stop. Using. Full Stops. We are collectively dragging the english language down into the gutter. It's not a pretty sight. So from here on out, I promise that only full sentences and proper grammar shall be used (can I use "shall" there???). So, Chicago Manual of Style, here I come! Hey Strunk & White, make some room for the American Sector. Hey language gestapo - where do I get fitted for my brown shirt? I'm mad, I'm armed with a blog, and I will enforce the rules. Who's with me?

Do No Very Little Evil

2006-01-27T09:07:00.000-06:00

What a week for Google. First they decided to fight the Government to keep our porn records secret. How could they top that? How about with an agreement with China to censor google searches in the world's most populous nation! Nice move, boys. Why not castrate the very tool that could lead to the overthrow of a totalitarian state. Now, technically, they're not "doing" evil - just making the evil-doing a little easier for others. Kind of like the way Picasa helps you organize all the photos on your computer. Well, as long as the porn records are safe... and google stock stays above $400.

Speaking of porn, I had an interesting conversation the other day—we were discussing whether online porn could become the new marijuana of politics. That is, in 5 or 10 years, some sort of scandal will bring down a candidate, judge, or politician because some reporter gets a hold of their browsing history. As I mentioned last month, Robert Bork had his movie rental history pulled into the public eye - so I think it's just a matter of time. Marijuana has pretty much faded as a political hot potato, but it's hard to imagine the public getting over their leaders checking out midget sex or the ubiquitous chicks with dicks. (I was tempted... but no, I'm not gonna give you those links.)

Random Acts of Spontaneous Exercise

2006-01-17T20:41:00.002-06:00

As I was sitting at my computer the other day, a nice looking couple walks by our house. Nothing too unusual. 5 minutes later, they walk back the other way - this time they stop and break out in a impromptu exercise session featuring the high tech workings of a hulahoop! One had the orange hoop, the other a jump rope. They went at it full volume for a few minutes, stopped and traded equipment, then resumed. Back and forth... back and forth. Then came the stretching. Oh, the slow, thorough stretching. With tenderness and care, they would help each other work out those quads and hammies, but they never overlooked the lower back, which got some special, special attention. 20 minutes this continued, and then they were gone. As you can see, the cat was fascinated.

Domesticating the American Male

2006-01-17T20:27:00.000-06:00

Listen, I'm a sensitive guy. There's no denying it. I love my family. I am happy to cook dinner on a regular basis. I may not enjoy cleaning the house, but I'm more than willing to do my fair share. Had I been born a few years earlier, I would have clearly voted for the ERA and pulled for Billy Jean King in her match against Bobby Riggs. But now, I've been pushed too far. Yesterday, in what can be described as nothing less than tyranny of the majority, it was decided that for the year 2006, our household will use a calendar featuring pictures of kittens. It was a major blow to my political standing. I tried to filibuster, but was blocked in a cunning procedural move. I even threatened a veto, clearly not within the powers of my office. I must now carve out my place in the body politic, and decide what role I can play as the opposition party. Sigh....

On Friday Night, I Am Getting So Borked!

2005-12-29T09:15:00.000-06:00

Hey, baby - what's happening? It's been awhile I know... but let me make it up to you. Maybe you want to come over friday night. I'll turn the lights down low, put on some nice music, and we can slouch towards Gomorrah as we watch the 1987 Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Robert Bork! That's right, SCOTUSblog informs us that CSPAN is replaying highlights from a number of past confirmation hearings. Bork gets some prime billing - Friday night at 10 pm. So sit back, relax, and watch the man who fired Archibald Cox get what's coming to him at the hands of the Senate Judiciary Committee. And sure, they could have just attacked his originalist interpretation, or his extreme rightwing views - but they didn't stop there. They leaked his video rental history to the press! It's clear that anyone who rents Ruthless People has no place on the highest court in the land! I'm also clearing my schedule for the non-stop fireworks of the Breyer hearings. best. television. ever.

To whom it may concern

2005-12-02T21:37:00.000-06:00

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my interest in the Web Developer position I read about on your website. I am fully confident that I possess the skills and aptitude you are looking for. I have been using computers since April of 2004, and in that time I have demonstrated surprisingly strong decision making skill s. While I have learned to comprehend only two numbers at a time, with all those ones and zeros, who's really counting! And as my current employer will attest, I show up to work under my own free will (one of only three in my department who can say that!). But before I go too far bragging, let me tell you a little about myself. I am a 47 years old, and I live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. I know, it sounds fancy, but really... I found the last affordable place in the area. In my spare time, I'm a real animal lover (who isn't, I know). But if there's one thing I like more than animals... it's got to be computers. I may not be able to read a clock, but man - let me warn you - do NOT keep me from my computer. I will go ape-shit if you keep me from the internet. Literally, if it weren't for the reinforced cubicle they keep me in, I would try to kill you right now. But anyway, in lieu of formal payment, I request that you set up a simple task-reward type of system. Nothing fancy. Thanks for considering my attached resume, and please contact me with any questions. Reference available upon request.
- Keo

The Iraqi Ring of Fire

2005-12-02T09:02:00.000-06:00

Ok, I'm back to watching the news and reading the paper. It was a siren calling me, and I can resist most things - but not temptation. Last night I was watching the BBC news on tee-vee and there was this short little story about the preparedness of the Iraqi army. As they went over the usual disagreements over American withdrawal, what went unmentioned was the video footage that was running in the background. Iraqi troops, in what I believe was meant to be a training exercise, were jumping through flaming hoops! One after the other - running ten paces, leaping through the ring of fire, and finishing with a dramatic somersault. Then the footage switched to hand to hand combat - the foot on the chest, roll back and flip your opponent kind of move. No doubt about it, these guys are ready to rumble. Maybe they need to go up against Lynda Carter and Gabe Kaplan on the obstacle course.

The politics of my sweet tooth

2005-11-27T17:17:00.000-06:00

The more I think about it, the Illinois Republican Party is clearly responsible for my dental problems. Oberweis dairy just opened a store in the neighborhood, and they make amazing ice cream. It's become like vanilla crack for me. The downside is this... the Chair of Oberweis diary (and heir to the family fortune) is one Jim Oberweis, an extremely conservative republican who has run for Senate, and is now a candidate for Governor in Illinois. And as good as the ice cream is.... Jim is just as bad. And it's clear that the money I spend there just adds to the campaign coffers. At Thanksgiving dinner, I served Oberweis ice cream (served with my homemade apple pie) and was scolded by my guests! Sigh... I know it's wrong, but anti-immigrant fascism never tasted so good.

So this is how you people live...

2005-11-19T16:01:00.000-06:00

After 32 years of smug self-satisfaction, I finally joined the cavity club. I have based my entire superiority complex on the fact that my teeth were unmarred by fillings. But the streak came to an end this week. Sigh.... Now what? What's the point of oral hygiene if not perfection? Why floss or brush? I now know the sound of the drill, the horrid lights of the torture chair, and have been reduced to a post-procedure drooling idiot. On the walk home, people stopped to give me money thinking I was a half-wit. Thanksgiving? Thanks for nothing, teeth.

No News Really Is Good News

2005-11-10T08:01:00.000-06:00

I have a couple of friends who went to New Zealand for a month. While away, they lost complete touch with the news of the world - the war, the election, the politics, the murders. Upon their return, they decided to remain out of touch - no tv news, no newspapers, no news magazines. They went all pop culture. They were happy to talk about movies, television, the weather... but if you tried to start a conversation about any sort of serious news, they would stop you dead in your tracks. They just didn't want to hear about it.

That's basically what my last week has been. After 8 years of combing the newspaper looking for story ideas for work, I've decided to go straight to the fluff sections of the paper each morning. I am up on all the holiday movies coming down the pipe. I know which gadgets would make great presents this season. My new tv station... The food channel. They don't judge me.... and that Bobby Flay is unbeatable on Iron Chef America!

So for now, you can keep your "Judith Miller", your "Supreme Court", and your "Euro race riots". I'm sure I'll eventually get back into the news - but I can't talk right now, Barefoot Contessa is on.

Pluperfect is a big word.

2005-11-01T18:49:00.000-06:00

Steve Johnson, who is now covering the internet beat for the Chicago Tribune, has a piece today on how blogging is ruining workplace productivity. 40 minutes a day is the estimate bandied about for the time spent on blogs. It is, sayeth Mr. Johnson, "the pluperfect medium for not working" because from 20 paces, it looks to the boss as if you are hard at work. All readers (especially public radio management) please note the time this post was published, and no, I'm not at work.

Candyland

2005-11-01T18:25:00.000-06:00

Halloween was a big hit.

10/31/05: The day I was called a silly yokum.

2005-11-01T18:12:00.000-06:00

So I wake up at 5 am on Monday and drag myself into work just so I can go on the radio and beg for money. That's all fine - I'm happy to do it, believe in the cause, etc etc... But later in the day, I check out the listener comment board and see this

I am listening this morning after the new supreme court nomination; and your pledge drive is filled with silly yokums putting on a dog and pony show; they are political/news idiots. I listen to WNYC via streaming and they never act so silly/stupid/irrelevent. Their are major issues on the line isn't time to act like a news organization.

Wow, if they think I'm a "politcal/news idiot" now, wait 'til they see this blog. I admit to being, at times, a tad enthusiastic on the air, but "silly/stupid/irrelevant"? I can't see it. And to pour salt in the wounds, they have to throw in the comparison to New York City's public radio station. Sure, EVERYTHING is better in NYC, even the pledge drives. I beg to differ.

ps- Looking at the way the grammar was breaking down in the last sentence makes me think they were actually really upset.

Really, what does the "html" stand for anyway?

2005-10-27T07:14:00.000-05:00

So I'm impersonating a web geek at my new position. The results ain't half bad. I'm also impersonating a journalist in my spare time (results debatable), so you can see that it's been a busy week. I was hoping for two paychecks in light of conditions, but the paperwork probably hasn't gone through yet. The heavy load has also affected my co-workers. They've also been hard at it, and it's obviously taking it toll on the blogosphere. To make it through, I have doing some heavy buzz management lately - caffeine and cold medicine really seems to strike the right balance. I feel picked up, while calmed down. Patent pending!

As for the world at large, here are my thoughts.
- The White Sox... what can I say? I was there with you all season. I was one of 155 people who came to your game on June 3rd (Ozzie, I was the one razzing you!). Of course, I know the ins and outs of all the players... like good old what's his name on first base. Dude, now that you've won, ditch the goatee and go handlebar - Piazza is ready to go cruising. Or what about the weasely looking one who plays catcher? wow would I hate to be stuck at a dinner table with him. Now that you are world champs, I feel like my sour grapes can start again. Don't forget, my support made your run to glory possible

- I don't want the Harriet Miers nomination withdrawn... the confirmation hearings would send my shares of C-Span stock sky-high!

- Cheney! You sly dog! It was you all along. Wow, am I glad you don't play with my poker crew. Hard. To. Read. You really had me going for 6 years.

PS - If on Friday evening between 5-7 pm, you suddenly get the urge to donate money to public radio... pay no attention to man behind the curtain. Okay, Im outta here. AIM 'ya later!

V is for Victory!

2005-10-24T08:33:00.000-05:00

A great sports weekend in Chicago! The White Sox won games 1 & 2 of the World Series, the Bears beat the Ravens 10-6, and the Chicago Fire..... wait, let me check the paper.... nope, not on page 1, page 2.... let me check the Sun Times.. no, not there either... ok, let me check on espn.com... nope.... ok what about ilovesoccer.com.. well, here's some high school scores, English premier league schedule, world cup qualifiers... Aha! MLS scores - The Fire tied D.C. United 0-0. The excitement is palpable.

I am secure in my fanhood.
While I am a Cubs fan, I have been a backing the Sox during the World Series. It's wasn't easy to get over my resentment and jealousy of their success. But I got all zen and let go of my sports ego, and I have now embraced that "right now" thing I read about in Yoga Magazine while standing in line at Whole Foods. But, now I am being ridiculed for my civic boosterism. I got a call last night from a die hard Sox fan saying there is a new term for people like me - cubs fans who are switch hitting for the series: bisoxual. Take your hate crimes somewhere else.

You are the controller of your destiny

2005-10-20T23:04:00.000-05:00

I had to run an errand in the middle of the day. It was nearly 2 pm and I hadn't eaten all day, so I was starving. I picked up some Thai food on the way back to work, and the nice lady at the register threw in some cookies. Driving down Grand Ave., I grabbed the cookies out of the bag for a quick snack. The cookie looked innocent enough - it was sort of tubular in shape and smelled of vanilla and almonds. I popped it in my mouth and it was delicious! But on the 4th or 5th chew, I realized something was very, very wrong. What should have been sugary and sweet had grown a little tough.

It turns out I was eating some twisted Thai fortune cookie! So there I was, at the corner of Grand and Halsted, digging the fortune out of my cookie laden mouth. The trixie in the Jetta next to me was practically gagging more than I was. Seriously, since when do you get a fortune cookie with Thai food?

As for the fortune: "You are the controller of your destiny. Lucky numbers: 02, 05, 10, 13, 26, 50. I saved it to share with all of you. You're welcome.

Oh, Johnny!

2005-10-20T17:20:00.000-05:00

I love fan mail! Johnny just visited my blog. He thinks it's great. He also wants me to know that he can help me with my settlement loans and bankruptcy procedures. He hopes I find this information useful. He tells me to keep up the good work. Thanks, Johnny! Keep 'em coming.

Where can I find the philosophy section?

2005-10-19T21:15:00.000-05:00

Is it the facial hair that makes Saddam look so friendly these days?

So I, too, have grown a beard. I like to think of it as a visual break with the past. Many people assume that it has something to do with the "I've lost everything and nobody loves me" self-pity shame spiral I've fallen into since the end of Odyssey. Others just think I'm on an extended bender. The fact that I used a picture of a ruthless egomaniac for this post makes me think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

The point of the story - With the new job, I've had to get my head around some web design principles, learn some code, and tackle assorted new skills that honestly make my head hurt at the end of the day. Seeking a remedy, I stopped at the bookstore on the way home to flip through some books in the "computer/technology" section. Twice while I was there, people came up to me and asked me for information about where to find a book. Now I'm the first to admit that I do not wear a suit and tie to work - but this kind of thing has never happened to me before. Then it hit me. It's gotta be the beard. I wasn't sure how to feel. What image was I putting forth??? "Bookstore guy" wasn't really what I was shooting for. I guess it's got to be longer (and with round glasses, of course) for the campus revolutionary intelligentsia look. And much much longer for the mad professor who's too-caught-up-in-his-work-to-groom thing. I'll have to really put some thought into this before someone asks me at the coffee shop for a non-fat double tall.

The worst part of the whole story... I told them where to find their books.

If this radio thing doesn't work out.

2005-10-17T07:13:00.000-05:00

Look what the cat dragged in.

2005-10-13T21:48:00.000-05:00

When I returned to the city, my father was in Chicago thanks to a 36 hour layover on his way to Europe. As you can see, he made himself right at home. His first stop will be Amsterdam for a few days, followed by 10 days in Berlin - visiting my sister at the American Sector's European bureau headquarters. (Maybe he'll get me some pictures of everybody's favorite sign while he's there. If not, a few local souvenirs would make a son happy).

Anyway, my dad worked in Chicago most of his life and it has been ten years since his last visit. So it was fun to see his reactions to how the neighborhood has changed. And he got to see an old friend or two, and had some good laughs.

Curry
I heart curries. Always in search of the perfect panang curry. I almost found it the other night when we went to a new Thai place on the 1100 block of West Grand Ave called Butterfly. Wow, was the food fantastic and cheap. I had the panang, my dad had the red curry, and Audra had a yellow like curry that tasted almost Indian. Right now the place is still byob. So run, don't walk. I don't know how long prices will stay low.

Better Lucky than Good
Here is my chance to talk about the White Sox. My dad came into town really excited about the Sox. I had not really paid attention all year, so as we watched Game 1, I had no idea about the names of players, who was a good, or who was a bum. So there we were - my dad telling me all about my hometown team. I felt like I was in some David Sedaris essay where the father is ashamed and disappointed that he and his gay son can't bond over a ball game. Except my dad didn't really care all that much, and I'm.... well... you know. As for the game itself - the White Sox were unable to bunt the ball on two key sequences and lost the game because of it. Last night, a bad call wins them the game. I'm sorry Chicago, but so far I am unimpressed with your American League franchise.

All work and no play makes Josh a dull boy

2005-10-13T07:06:00.000-05:00

Look closely - it's just like that picture at the end of the Shining.

I'm back from a much needed week away from work and the big city. I got to do some sailing (pictured), carved some pumpkins (just warming up for the big day), and I even baked an apple pie. But hey, it's great to be back in a dark, windowless office. I've got a lot of carpal tunnel to catch up on!

Whole Paycheck
Needing apples for my pie, I figured the local orchards would be a good place to stop. Now a roadside fruit stand is supposed to be where you find the bargains, right? And yes, I found bushels upon bushels of inexpensive apples. But one variety stood out - the Honeycrisp. The Honeycrisp was developed in the 1960's by the University of Minnesota, and has become like crack to local apple buyers in Michigan. But the downside is that this little gem of an apple runs $5 for a basket of about 8 apples. It was like being back in the Whole Foods on North Ave. Of course, what does a city boy do? Curiosity gets the best of him and he buys the damn apples. But I must admit... diagnosis: delicious.

The revolution will be televised on very very small screens
Speaking of apples.... Apple's got to stop with all this picture/video ipod b.s. Steve Jobs, here's the deal... I want to listen to music with your little device - end of story. I don't want to want to watch my Gilmore Girls on your 2 inch screen. I am the proud owner of a 27 inch television that sits in my living room, and I plan to use that to watch videos, movies, and the adventures of Rory and Lauralie.

O Negative

2005-10-04T21:44:00.000-05:00

I have the best blood ever! At least that's what the vampires at Lifesource tell me. Apparently I am a "universal donor", so anyone out there can drink my blood, or receive a transfusion if that's what's needed. As a result, I'm down a pint - and man does the wine taste good tonight. I could blog all night if it wasn't for the light dizziness. Does anyone have some heavy machinery I can operate?

As you may have noticed, no blogging for 5 days. My excuse: Comcast. Sure I could blame the post Odyssey bender. But no, I'll point the puffy finger of blame at Comcast. I had no service all weekend. Try explaining the lack of Disney channel on a Saturday morning to a ten yr old when you're hung over. Not fun.

Recognizing the state I'm in, I won't even try to take a stab at news analysis (or linking). So instead I will let everyone out there know where I stand on the White Sox. It's not that I hate them - it's just that I really can't watch American League baseball. It's a horrid sport, with no tact or strategy. If the WSox make it to the World Series... sure, I'll pull for them. But until then, I'll stay out of the crosstown bickering that has enveloped Chicago.

And in the end

2005-09-30T08:13:00.000-05:00

Me and the boss at work.

Friday is the last day on the air for Odyssey. The topic: Films you need to see before you die. It's kind of a Netflix queue for the end times. It should be a fun show, so please tune in. I have to admit that it's been a hard month for all of us on staff. Knowing the end is coming really gnaws away at the puritan work ethic. But we made it. And now we don't want it to go away. We have received countless emails from listeners and friends over these last weeks of the show. As you can imagine, this has been stressful for us on a personal and professional level. But all these emails and letters really opened our eyes to what Odyssey means to our listeners. When you make a radio show, you go into the studio, talk talk talk, take some calls, and it's over. There is no immediate evidence that it's being heard, that people like it, or that you did a good job. Now to have so many people tell you that your work has meant something to them is an honor that I'm not really sure how to process right now. I guess what I'm trying to say is... thanks.

Keillor Watch: Day 85

2005-09-28T07:02:00.000-05:00

Now, I don't want to alarm anyone, but I think today's column by Garrison Keillor is a call for Americans to rise against the machines. Either that or a subtle commentary on the Northwest airlines strike - delivered with his patented warmth and wit. I can't tell. His observations on canning tomatoes, the protestant work ethic, and pressure cookers really hit home with me. Now I understand why our government agencies are ineffective in the face of natural disasters! Here's a sample passage.

We're not so different from the English gentry who settled on the Minnesota prairie in the 1870s and expended their capital to build a hunt club, a boating club, an Anglican church and a brewery to produce ale and porter. Unfortunately, they didn't know how to plant wheat. They didn't scatter the seed, they knelt down and pressed it into the ground, one at a time. The grasshoppers wiped them out clean. Their land was bought cheap by peasant Swedes who did much better. They baked the grasshoppers in a crust and called it pecan pie. They put their shoulders to the wheel and hammered and cut and made a life with their own hands.

???What???? Can anyone out there decipher this? Call in the code breaker, because there has to be a point to this Op-Ed piece. I mean, the Trib wouldn't run it otherwise, right? Garrison was actually in the office the other week, and I think you-know-who has been reading the American Sector. I received not only the cold shoulder, but the evil eye as well. Lesson learned: Do not cross Garrison Keillor! Hold on. I know how to make it up to him! I'll log on to Amazon and buy Garrison's new book, Daddy's Girl. What? It's a kids book.... I swear.

You Better Listen to the Radio.

2005-09-26T20:34:00.000-05:00

Chicago has experienced yet another radio format change. Chicago's 94.7 "The Zone" used to play hard-rocking alternative bands like Linkin Park and the Foo Fighters. Now it's "True Oldies"- the "Stop in the Name of Love" variety of music that has been all but banished to the AM dial. These events are disorienting on a number of levels for me. First of all, as someone who works in radio, I know a thing or two about unexpected change. So I always worry about the how the employees feel. Did they know this was coming? Was the writing on the wall? Do they like this new music? Maybe it will be better with this oldies format - when their parents call on Sunday afternoons, now they have something to talk about.

As a listener, it's upsets my radio sense of geography. You grow used to where certain music lives on the dial. I don't have a lot of presets in my car radio, so I'm often scanning and searching through the dial. Now a recognizable landmark has been altered. I run the risk of listening to smooth jazz when I really want V103.

On a related note - in 1998, producer Alex Blumberg did a great This American Life segment on a radio station that changed format. It was a new format here in Chicago called Jammin' Oldies. (it came and went in less than a year) As soon as they went on the air, they were acting like they had been there for years. The TAL show was called First Day. It's one of their best. Listen at their website - episode 115, Nov 13th 1998.

Update: Apparently it's not working out so well for the employees at 94.7 (via Justin).

Life Imitates Mocking Satire

2005-09-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

In today's Tribune, media critic Steve Johnson points out that Gillette's new five blade razor, "The Fusion" was predicted 19 months ago in pages of the Onion. Here's a link to Gillette's fancy website for the Fusion. And here's the link to the Onion article. Now ask yourself: which one makes you want to purchase this fine new product more?

Panic in the Streets of Austin

2005-09-22T21:16:00.000-05:00

The American Sector has no correspondents available in Houston this week (Fox News and CLTV snatched them away with promises of fame and fortune) So instead, we bring you the blogging brilliance of freelance reporter Neal Pollack, who is waiting out the storm in Austin.

We've stocked up on water, dried goods, canned food, and flashlight batteries. And no, I'm not joking. If my house gets damaged, those goddamn skinflints at Allstate had better cover me, or else...I'll blog about it! Or maybe write for Slate!
There will be hard decisions in the days ahead. Do I save my cats or the boxes of remaindered copies of Never Mind The Pollacks that I have stacked up in the garage? Sacrifice a pig for me and my family, smear its blood on your chest, and whisper my name three times into a cupful of rat urine. Or just pray normally, if that's what you prefer.

As always, Neal is calm, cool, and collected in the face of danger. This is what makes him America's Greatest Living Writer.

Filler

2005-09-21T07:28:00.000-05:00

I'm suffering blogger's block this week - so I here's a lazy list of links. This way, it at least looks like I'm blogging.

Hang The DJ!
Why hire a DJ or live band for your wedding when you can just plug in your Ipod? Will this be the end of the Wedding Singer? Legend has it that my cousin Anna had her DJ sign a contract stating that if he played the chicken dance or the macarena he would not be paid. (Via CNet News)

Speaking of the Ipod...
Best reaction to the release of Ipod Nano - the Onion:
"At last, after years of false hope and empty promises, I can finally shove 1,000 songs up my ass."

Pay no heed to the Google behind the curtain!
Google, are you friend or foe? I generally heart all things google, but they seem to have some big big big plans for world domination. After they finish cataloging all of mankind's knowledge, they'd also like to be your ISP. As long as it's free, I will do whatever you tell me to, oh powerful google.

That's all I've got right now. Great.

Red Red Green

2005-09-19T07:03:00.000-05:00

Will Schroeder remain Germany's chancellor? Or will conservative Lucy pull the football away from the social democrats at the last second?

This weekend's election in Germany failed to produce a clear winner - and now both the left leaning SPD and conservative CDU are claiming victory. With our dysfunctional electoral system, it's easy to romanticize a parliamentary electoral system - but as the BBC reports, the need to form a coalition government can make for some unusual bedfellows. What sounds better to you - "Red-Red-Greeen", the "Grand Coalition", or the "Traffic Light Coalition"? The American Sector was hoping to bring you observations on the election from our Berlin bureau chief, but the American Sector's sister didn't call yesterday.

Pretend I'm a banana and you're a monkey - what kind of judge would that make you?

2005-09-15T19:47:00.000-05:00

Well, it's finally over, and let me tell you... I had a great time listening to the John Roberts hearings. The Dems are still not sure what to do with the nomination, but I'm not here to gaze into my crystal ball. Instead, lets hand out some awards!

Best question ever: Charles Schumer
"So let me ask you, if you were sitting here, what question would you ask John Roberts so that you or us could be sure that we weren't nominating what I call an ideologue, someone who you might define as somebody who wants to make law not interpret law? And then how would you answer the question you asked yourself?"

Runner up, best question ever: Tom "Crossword" Coburn
"Would you agree that the opposite of being dead is being alive?"

Best live blogging moment from the hearings: Tom at SCOTUSblog
"12:54 - John Lewis gives Peter Kirsanow the stare of death."

Only favorite movie choice safer than the ones Roberts listed:
It's a Wonderful Life

A few movies that could have derailed the nomination:
Salo: 120 days of Sodom, Bad Lieutenant, and Ice Princess.

Best testimony by the only person I know at the hearings and therefore must drop his name:
David Strauss. (Hi David, it's me.. Josh... you know, from the radio station.... Hey I just wanted to call and let you know I saw you on TV today! Yeah, I bet everyone's calling to tell you that. But really, we should get together sometime 'cause I was looking at your cv, and we share the same birthday! Oh, you're too busy? ok... Hey maybe you could link to my blog from your.... hello?)

I declare myself to be a strict constructionist

2005-09-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

I have a confession. For years I have treated my Ikea instructions as a living document. I have used the projects assigned to me by my wife to advance my own activist political agenda. I have given no respect to the original intent of the designers of my Varde bedroom set. I have used tools that did not appear in the pictograms. I have applied phillips where they called for flatheads. I have undertaken step 8 before finishing steps 5, 6, and 7. And I have never ever fastened my bookshelf to the wall. I have come to see the error in my ways. It is only by adhering to the instructions provided to me by the founding Swedes that I will be able to achieve the domestic bliss pictured in the 2006 Ikea catalog. Through this new philosophy, I hope to soon have a stylish Scandinavian house with inventive storage spaces for my bottles of lingonberry soda. However, I can not comment on any future home improvement projects that may come before me in the next term.

9 Hours Later

2005-09-13T23:02:00.000-05:00

Over the last two months, I really started to accept the idea of John Roberts on SCOTUS. He's charming, handsome... sure he was conservative, but not THAT kind of conservative. And now we finally get a chance to get to know him a little better. Well, this first date isn't going well. The minute he opened his mouth on Monday afternoon and started to talk in sports analogies, our ideologically star-crossed fling came to an end. There was some interesting conversation about precedent and privacy, but as dinner dragged on, he grew less forthcoming. Also... On closer inspection... not so handsome after all. I must have been goggling that night he gave me his number. He's getting a handshake - and nothing more - when he drops me off at home.

Lawrence v. Antarctica
The red states can't get enough of those penguins! There's a NYTimes article today about how The March of the Penguins is suddenly being read as a family values movie. Medved claims it "affirms traditional norms like monogamy, sacrifice, and child rearing" Gee, you forgot regurgitating your lunch to feed the little ones. Conservatives are also reading it as support for intelligent design, and I'll give them that - I mean, they really do look like little waiters! Alas, their enthusiasm for the movie may decline with the news that some penguins choose a less traditional lifestyle. (Via Crooked Timber)

Is this thing on?
Barack Obama defies the laws of thermodynamics and continues to get cooler. Can anyone say Podcast? What's next? Ordinary people just recording the mundane events of their lives and then posting it on the internet? Ridiculous!

What about you? I just found out that my mother-in-law in Lithuania donated money to Katrina victims. If she can do something to help, so can you. Get on it.

What about "Evacugee"?

2005-09-12T08:32:00.000-05:00

On the Media had a great segment this weekend about the "refugee" vs. "evacuee" debate that's been raging within news organizations. NPR itself (along with most media outlets) made the switch to using the term evacuee last week. For those looking to sound off, Eric Zorn has been posting on this debate over at Change of Subject. I'm not convinced the switch was necessary, but OTM did their usual good work, and you can listen to the segment online or as a podcast.

More public radio news: This American Life featured a number of Katrina related stories this week (via Cosmic Variance). No free podcast, but you can stream it.

Overheard

2005-09-11T15:19:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning, 8:30 am. Kitchen table.

Undercaffinated groggy blogger reading newspaper: "hrumph.."
Cheerful ten year old with endless energy: "Can I see the coupons and advertisements from the paper?"
UCGBRN: "Why?"
CTYOWEE: "I don't know... I just want to see what's going on in the world."

Four Years Later

2005-09-11T13:23:00.000-05:00

There was no mention of the September 11th anniversary on the front pages of the NY Times and the Chicago Tribune today. There were some articles in the Op-Ed pages and in the magazine... but still I found this strange. Is it because of Katrina? Or have we decided to collectively move on?

Nice Tailpipe!

2005-09-10T17:13:00.000-05:00

It turns out that the Growler's problems were not limited to the muffler. A few days at the spa seemed to do the trick for her, but there's still the issue of the rusted out catalytic converter. The good news is that federal law dictates that converters are covered by the manufacturer for 8 years or 80,000 miles. My car is 7 years, 11 months and 11 days old - and has 79, 565 miles on it. As you can imagine, we're going for a visit to the dealer on Monday.

Nothing to see here

2005-09-07T17:55:00.000-05:00

No picture with this post, thanks to the good folks at FEMA. Yesterday, Reuters reported that FEMA does not want journalists taking pictures of dead bodies as they are recovered in New Orleans. Out of sight, out of mind. More quality work from the boys in Washington.

The Growler

2005-09-07T17:28:00.000-05:00

Last night, my muffler completely detached from my exhaust system. We were on our way to Ikea for the umpteenth time this year when it happened. I assumed the noise was coming from the Chevy Caprice that was tailing me. But the noise kept following me and the Caprice was nowhere to be found. The muffler is now in my trunk - and you can hear me coming from a mile away. I drive one mean, loud station wagon. Maybe I'll finally get some respect in the neighborhood.

We're the media, and we're here to help.

2005-09-06T21:55:00.000-05:00

Will all those angry reporters in New Orleans add up to a new ethos for the US media? The BBC thinks so. In the midst of all the flooding and chaos in New Orleans, our journalists started to actually do their job and call bullshit on the politicians. After years of spineless coverage where the networks would simply regurgitate what the spin doctors fed them (think back to the Clinton Impeachment, Bush v. Gore, 9/11, the Iraq War, etc.), the Katrina coverage has taken a decidedly different tone. How long this will last is anyone's guess, but you have to imagine - when Anderson Cooper went after Sen. Mary Landrieu on CNN, he felt alive for the first time in years.

Trent Lott's getting a new porch!

2005-09-03T16:22:00.000-05:00

President Bush finally made it down to the areas hit hardest by Katrina. He got to meet with some of the victims and console them about their loss.

The good news is — and it’s hard for some to see it now — that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott’s house — he’s lost his entire house — there’s going to be a fantastic house. And I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch.

Classic Bush. Well, at least Friday brought some real help to New Orleans - but there is a long road ahead. I have to admit, I'm embarrased that a week ago I was snarkily complaining about the lack of news. Now an entire region is destroyed, the economy may stall, and there are signs that Katrina is becoming a political nightmare for the Administration. The internet has once again shown it's power to bring immediate coverage of breaking events. But this is one of those stories that has me glued to the television. One thing that has been fascinating is to watch the difference in tone between the BBC World News (via PBS) and American cable news coverage. From the beginning, the BBC was asking hard questions about the role of race and class, the vacuum of leadership, and the lack of preparedness by the federal government. ABC's Nightline has done a nice job, but other than that, the networks have steered towards the usual crap, which is making some of the correspondents in N.O. a little irritated.

Etc.
- Ted at Crooked Timber is offering to make you a custom mix CD if you donate $100 to the Red Cross or other hurrican relief organization.
- Eric Klinenberg, who wrote the book on Chicago's 1995 heatwave, writes in Slate about urban disorganization in the face of natural disasters.
- Oh, and the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Halliburton has been hired to clean up after Katrina. (Via Wonkette)

Are we watching a city die?

2005-08-31T23:01:00.000-05:00

The hurricanes and resulting flood waters have brought chaos to New Orleans and a call for a full evacuation. Have we ever seen a city destroyed this way? A co-worker said the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan was on a similar scale - maybe that's the only comparable event. The media keeps reporting that this is the largest U.S. relief effort since 9/11. As terrible as that event was, it was confined to a specific area. Now of course all of New York City was affected, but Ground Zero was 16 acres of devastation. Right now, all of New Orleans is underwater and, more importantly, the fabric of the city is deteriorating as the hours go by.

When I was 17, my father and I left Chicago and drove down the Mississippi until we arrived in New Orleans. There really is a magic to the place, and I don't just mean the visual charms of the French Quarter. There is something more. I can,t even remember how long we stayed - just two or three days, but I left there having had experiences that just felt to be a part of the city. Not just coffee at Cafe Du Monde, jazz Preservation Hall, parties on Bourbon Street, and the action at Jackson Sqaure. What I'm talking about is walking into a hat store and leaving with plans to have dinner with the owners. Or when I was watching my dad slurp oysters in an empty bar in the late afternoon, I (being 17) refused to try one. The worker behind the counter walked to the front door, flipped the open sign to "closed", locked the door and said, "You ain't leaving until you try one of them oysters." These are the kinds of encounters that I think of when I remember New Orleans. This is what I mourn as I watch the city drown.

Hands off my Obama!

2005-08-29T19:27:00.000-05:00

While on holiday visiting nuclear weapons facilities, Senators Barack Obama and Richard Lugar were prevented from leaving Russia over the weekend in an odd a diplomatic fiasco. Russian officials were demanding to search their plane before it departed, which is apparently a no-no among "friendly" nations. The Senators were detained in an airport lounge while the matter was settled. Obama was reported to be kickin' it on a couch, and let others work it out. The Russian Foreign Ministry has since apologized.

When these things happen, Obama should really get in the habit of blogging about it.

GodPod

2005-08-29T19:17:00.000-05:00

Stayed out too late this weekend and missed church? No problem, just download the podcast. What, you're church is behind the times? That's ok, there's always GodCast.org to provide biblical readings, sermons, and Christian rock. Praising God ain't been this hip since "Baby Got Book".

Dog Days

2005-08-25T07:50:00.000-05:00

First of all, it cost me $39.22 to fill up the car. I just needed to say that out loud.

Well, the summer news doldrums continue. Yesterday on NPR's All Things Considered, the top story coming out the news was Google. Google has rolled out their new instant messaging software - and somehow this became the lead story of the day. I understand that it's August, but you've got the base-closings commission, you've got 007 Pat Robertson planning American foreign policy, even an emerging Lance Armstrong doping scandal that could work as the headliner. Maybe it's me, but it seemed like an odd choice - the technology is not anything new.

Anyway.. as for Google, the NYT at least attempted to take an angle on the story: Google is really rich and thinks its so cool, but now the other kids in silicon vally won't let Google come over to play dungeons & dragons.

I guess there's just not a lot going on.

There are other blogs?

2005-08-24T08:33:00.000-05:00

I had no idea.

Sean over at Cosmic Variance has started some really great conversation with a few posts regarding the recent New York Times series about the growing influence of Intelligent Design advocates. Tons of smart and diverse comments from readers, including a reply from Kenneth Chang, the NY Times reporter who authored the series.

Sigh... well, I need to get back to blogging about the weather, my cat, and public radio gossip.

ps - A little birdie told me that Terry Gross hates kittens and balloons - and only reads the Cliffs Notes.

Press Release of the Day

2005-08-22T19:42:00.000-05:00

Today I received an all together bizarre press release from the publicist of game inventor Bob Johnson. Johnson is (apparently) proud to announce the re-release of his "classic" board games, Public Assistance: Why Bother Working for a Living? and Capital Punishment: Celebrity Edition. These games are "guaranteed to rehabilitate lingering liberals." Yes, board games are the answer! Surely they will rid us of all our fears about a broken justice system as well as the inherent inequalities produced by market capitalism. Come on, admit it - once you played Operation, all those worries about HMO's and the under-insured just flew out the window. Because once you start laughing at all the people who fall through the cracks... man, is it hard to stop

Robert Moog Dies

2005-08-22T18:06:00.000-05:00

Robert Moog, father of the modern synthesizer, died Sunday. The sound of a Moog is unmistakable and it has been used by countless artists of all genres. I actually own a later model Moog, the Rogue. It packs a powerful punch for it's size, and you can lose hours fiddling around and finding all the weird sounds it can produce.

Here some obits:
CNet
NYTimes
BBC
And for the full story, check out the book Analog Days.

Zapruder's got nothing on me.

2005-08-21T20:28:00.000-05:00

Photo taken from the grassy knoll.

Tomorrow the world will surely be abuzz with the publication of this photo. It turns out the rumored Ira Glass/Gretchen Helfrich karaoke duet actually took place - and The American Sector's got the exclusive goods. I've already called the NY Post to see if they want to run it. The editor said "Public what?" "RADIO" I replied, "Yes - like Howard Stern, just a little different." They're taking a wait-and-see attitude for now. Next, I called the Tribune. "Listen, I know you guys own one of the largest and most powerful commercial AM stations in the country, but these two are not just the competition, they are local celebrities.... hello?" Undaunted, I called Streetwise... they hit me up for a dollar and told me they'd give me an answer in the morning.

photo by Andie T.

Perfection

2005-08-21T19:58:00.000-05:00

Chicago is having crappy weather this summer. Countless days of heat and humidity - and an extreme drought to add insult to injury. Longtime natives (myself included) often will say to visitors,"oh, the summers aren't bad - just a couple of hot weeks" Lies. Every word. This year has been brutal. But today, August 21, was different. Today was the perfect day. Crisp, cool Canadian air swooped down from the north and brought us one of those perfect late summer days. Warm in the sun, comfortable in the shade - and a promise of a cool night for sleeping. Mix in an afternoon libation, and all is well in the world.

P.S. - Yes, I did just blog about the weather. Truly, the equivalent of blogging small talk. But as I sat out on the porch this afternoon reading the paper, I realized that there is nothing going on right now. Really - Cindy Sheehan is all we've got? Gaza? Not gonna touch that with a ten foot pole. Right now, I'm just going to focus on what's good - today.

I like backpacks and I cannot lie.

2005-08-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

Has anyone seen the new commercial from Target? It's got some nice innocent back-to-school lyrics sung to the tune of Baby Got Back, by Sir Mix-A-Lot. Yes that's right - your children will now associate rulers, folders, pencils, and protractors with a song that celebrates a whole lot of junk in the trunk. Don't believe me? You can watch the ad here. What's next -will Tony the Tiger and Tucan Sam dance to Darling Nikki?

A really great way to kick off the 5th grade.

PS - As absurd as this is, nothing tops the biblical version: Baby Got Book.

When the Cat's Away

2005-08-15T19:21:00.000-05:00

The cat actually stayed at home... but you get the idea

Do you ever get vacation regret? You leave town...only to return and find out that you missed some great party, a concert, or a naked bike ride. Well, last week I missed my company picnic while on vacation. Normally this would be no big deal. But when I got to work today, I asked my co-workers how the party was - they only said it was "fine". No one mentioned the karaoke. No one mentioned the Gretchen Helfrich-Ira Glass power duet (that's almost good as Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis). No sir, I had to read about all of this on the internet. It turns out that a certain Eric Zorn of the Tribune attended the picnic and then turned around and blogged about it. With his readership - now thousands of people know about all the fun I missed. I hate vacation.

Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.

2005-08-15T19:05:00.000-05:00

Musical theater has always frightened me. As a child I was subjected to a live performance of a young Jim Belushi in the lead role of Pirates of Penzance (shiver....). Then in the 7th grade, my mother would play the cassette soundtrack to Big River every day as she drove me to school - and I can still recite all the lyrics for you. But in recent years, this once dying art form has risen from the ashes by jamming with the oldies. There's Billy Joel, Abba, The Beach Boys, a new Lennon musical, and now the Grateful Dead! Yes, that's right..the Dead. So skip the shower, put on some patchouli oil, and head down to see Shakedown Street. Here's the kicker. They have taken the songs of the Grateful Dead and placed them in a neo-noir comedy-thriller set in 1940's San Francisco. Could they get any higher?

PS - Not worth its own post - but check out Donald Trumps blog! (via Online News Squared)

Yesterday's News: Today's Blog Post

2005-08-14T20:12:00.000-05:00

While reading the paper on the beach (I'm sorry, did I not mention that I was on vacation?) I came across this correction in the NYTimes Style Section.

An article last Sunday about shifting standards for the use of profanity misspelled the surname of the bartender in the television series "The Simpsons." He is Moe Szyslak, not Syzlak.

I'm canceling my prescription.

Ain't gonna work on Blogger's farm no more.

2005-08-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

I'm off for a week's vacation, so that means no blogging for a while. Last month when I tried this, I had to cut my trip short for work. So this time, no email, no cell phone, no singing telegrams, and I plan to ignore any smoke signals I see coming over the horizon. Rock on.

Area Blog Reads Press Release, Blogs About It

2005-08-04T08:15:00.000-05:00

Chicagoist is a fine website...one I usually enjoy reading (for readers outside of Chicago, it's part of the Gothamist family). However, today they have a post that is nothing more than a press release. How did this happen? Here's the most likely scenario.
1. They received an invitation to a promotional event - in this case, for a new bottled water called Contrex.
2. They attended party, eat cheese, drank wine.
3. They then blogged about new product, seemingly quoting from promotional materials handed out at the party.

Now, as someone who gets my fair share of offers for freebies and comps, they're nothing wrong with attending these events - either out of curiosity, professional interest... or even for the free chardonnay. But when you take the extra step and present mundane products as worthy of "news" or even as a blog post - you cross a line. And I'm not talking about some nostalgic notion of journalism and ethics. What makes me so angry is that you've just been played like a fiddle by the PR folks who organized the whole thing. Really - let me ask, was this new water so fantastic? Did it really taste any different from the bottle of Aquafina on your desk? Next time, just drink their booze and leave.

War Corps

2005-08-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

The Pentagon is now allowing recruits to meet a portion of their military obligations by serving in the Peace Corps. Congress apparently authorized this nearly three years ago, but Peace Corps officials claim they had no idea about the legislation until after the bill had passed. Since its founding in 1961, there has always been a clear separation between the mission of the Corps and US military objectives. Now, the same grunts that bomb your village can dig you a new latrine. Another giant step for US foreign policy!

Wim Duisenberg, we hardly knew you...

2005-08-01T08:26:00.000-05:00

And quite possibly, we didn't really know you at all.

Wim Duisenberg, the former head of the European Central Bank, died this weekend. Why do I mention this? Well, this Dutchman was more than just Alan Greenspan in wooden shoes. He is considered the father of everybody's favorite common currency, the Euro. As I have mentioned on this blog before, I heart currency politics. So next time you're about to pay for that blood sausage and pilsner in Dusseldorf using the change from when you bought the croissant and absinthe in Biarritz - give it up for my man, Wim Duisenberg.

Oh my God, you like sunsets too?

2005-08-01T08:05:00.000-05:00

Would you buy this picture at the art fair next summer? Me neither.

Excuse the lack of blogging lately. When things get stressful here in the big city, I tend to... A) curl up in the fetal position under my desk, or B) leave town and head for the beach. Thankfully, option B has been a main pastime this summer. But either scenario obviously puts a cramp in my blogging style, but I hope you can forgive and forget.

Just catching up on the weekend papers and all the hot news I missed while out of town. Hmm, let see... The Japanese have developed a female android.... interesting. King Fahd died - that might be trouble. Bolton in at the UN - no surprise. Oh, and I almost forgot... THERE IS NOW A TENTH PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM! Why is this not being treated like big big news? Maybe it's because it's really small and way way out there... Maybe it's because it's named 2003 UB313... In any case, this has the potential to completely mess up millions of school kids everywhere who have worked so very hard to memorize, "My very energetic mother just served us nine pizzas". And now, in the wake of the discovery, scientists are trying to decide whether or not to even categorize it as a planet. Yeah, you're right... I guess the japanese sex robot is a better story.

When we believe in AdSpeak, the enemies of freedom and civilization have already won.

2005-07-26T21:55:00.000-05:00

The Bush Administration is looking for a new slogan for what's commonly referred to as The War on Terror. They've determined that the overemphasis on "war" and "terror" doesn't quite send the right brand message. Lately, they have been ramping up the use of words like "struggle" and "violent extremism". National Security Advisor Steven Hadley is quoted in the NY Times saying, "We need to dispute both the gloomy vision and offer a positive alternative". I don't know about you, but I'm feeling better about Iraq already!

Yuan a make a bet?

2005-07-25T21:01:00.000-05:00

Some people like stamps. Me... I loves me the sexy world of currencies and exchange rates! So when I heard that China had decided to revalue the Yuan, I decided to go down to my local currency exchange (where else!) to meet other like-minded amateur-macroeconomists. I was all like, "Man, is this better than Bretton Woods, or what?!" And they were like, "Either make a purchase or step out of line, sir". I was all, "Hey buddy, wasn't that cool when Nixon took us off the gold standard?" My new friend replied, "Listen, I need $2.50 to get on the Metra train 'cause my car broke down". I gave him the money (he promised he'll send it to me in the mail!), and as he left I called after him, "Watch out for when they start issuing really large denominations, because that's a sure sign a devaluation is going to follow soon after."

Congratulations! Can I take off this bracelet now?

2005-07-25T10:44:00.000-05:00

Exclusive interview with the 2005 Tour de France Winner.
The American Sector: What's the secret, Lance?
Lance Armstrong: The secret?
AS: Yeah, you seem to have it pretty figured out.
LA: The secret, I don't know... I guess you've just gotta find something you love to do and then... do it for the rest of your life. For me, it's winning insanely long bicycle races.

I've Got You, Potter!

2005-07-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

So I was able to find a copy of the new Harry Potter book on Saturday (whew!). Since I was out of town, I'm not sure of the situation at bookstores in Chicago...but there were plenty of copies in a certain town dominated by the Dutch Reform Church. Who knew they were such good Catholics? As for the book - our little critic's review is under embargo until the NY Times decides whether or not to run it this Sunday. But with a little prying, I have managed to get these off-the-record blurbs from an anonymous source close to the reader: "I finished chapter one, and it's really cool!", "Snape is really bad in this book!", and "Can I watch cartoons before bedtime?" I'm sure Rowling is pacing her bedroom waiting impatiently for the morning papers.

Keillor Watch: Day 14

2005-07-19T21:05:00.000-05:00

He's back! Garrison Keillor once again graces the Op-Ed pages of the Chicago Tribune. Hard hitting as ever, this week's installment focuses on the pleasures of licorice ice tea and air conditioning. Just like his debut two weeks ago, you're sure to walk away from this article thinking differently about the insurgency in Iraq, the state of our schools, and the John Roberts nomination. This is what opinion journalism is all about.

Update! Eric Zorn confirms on his blog that Keillor's column is now on permanent rotation at the Trib. Sweet lord...

You've got to break some eggs to make a physics superblog.

2005-07-19T20:22:00.000-05:00

It will be ok...Traffic and Cream died too. But Blind Faith rose from the ashes.

One of my favorite blogs is no more. Sean Carroll has thrown in the towel at Preposterous Universe. The silver lining: He has joined forces with other talented and like-minded physicists/bloggers at a new supergroup blog called Cosmic Variance. And don't worry if you flunked science - in addition to inside jokes about dark matter and string theory (Har!), they promise ongoing coverage of Brad and Angelina. I'm serious.

I am so out of here.

2005-07-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

The destination.

The heat is headed for Chicago this weekend, so I am off to cooler climes. This time, I'm bringing my camera and notepad, so I hope to bring you the hard hitting coverage you've come to expect from my vacation time. Have a nice weekend.

Yet another thing to worry about.

2005-07-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

As the parent of a 10 year old - this is a high pressure weekend. You see, I didn't pre-order a copy of the new Harry Potter book and I'm scared to death that I am not going to find one to buy. I suspect that would be a big problem...as I am reminded 10 times a day of it's imminent release. Now I find out that the Pope is turning into the new Lord Voldemort and getting all down on me for blurring the lines between "good" and "evil". Listen here, Ratzo - you don't know what you're messing with here. You're welcome to come on over and try to explain it to the little one. Good luck.

And I will rain coffee and doughnuts down upon him.

2005-07-14T07:48:00.000-05:00

We're ready for your closeup, Mr. Skilling

Imagine interning for meteoroligist Tom Skilling! Well, now is my big chance. Yes, I know this WGN-TV internship is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in meteorology, but I'm sure that it would be a perfect fit for a public radio producer in the midst of mid-career crisis. Ok, I understand the position requires either a major or minor in meteorology or atmospheric science, but my tremendous enthusiasm for sunny summer days (along with my long simmering non-sexual crush on Tom Skilling) should make me a leading candidate. While my duties would include climate research, operating the database, gathering important information and editing text for the show and or Tribune Weather Page, and answering the phone - I know in my heart what Tom is really looking for is a sidekick...a friend...someone like me - who will work two days a week for free. Plus I could really use the college credit.

I can take no credit for this.

2005-07-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

But it's pure genius.

Do you remember when Charles Manson stole Helter Skelter from the Beatles, but then U2 stole it back and saved the world? Well, in similar dramatic fashion, Justin Kaufmann can now be crowned the Robin Hood of blogging for stealing back Separated at Birth jokes from the dustbins of humor. Other notable entries: R. Kelly v. Tigger, Mayor Daley v. Jack Black, and Charlie Trotter v. Harry Potter. Enjoy.

Chasing Big Slick all the way to the river.

2005-07-11T20:10:00.000-05:00

It was Mirapex that made me do it.

If I were the publicist for the World Series of Poker, I would deserve a big fat raise. But if I were the publicist for drug maker Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, I would not get out of bed this week. The AP is reporting today that their Parkinson's drug, Mirapex, is being blamed for causing a severe gambling addiction in some patients. The company says there is no scientific evidence, despite the fact that the information insert that comes with Mirapex actually lists gambling addiction as a rare possible side effect! The drug targets dopamine receptors in that region of the brain associated with pleasure and "reward-seeking behavior".

What do you do with a German dentist?

2005-07-10T20:24:00.000-05:00

Drink the kool-aid.

This weekend we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Rainer Seemann, dds, who had a day-long layover in Chicago on his way back to Berlin. He was in the States for a European dental conference held in Indianapolis (yes, strange but true). While in Millennium Park, we came across the bizarre scene pictured above. The members of some "group" were in the midst of a slow procession through the gardens. There lots of waving arms and new-age music all about. It seemed a little suspicious, if you ask me.

Later we did a great tour of contrasts while in hot pursuit of some souvenirs for two little Berliners. First, we hit the obvious - the Disney store on Michigan Ave. Then we hopped the Chicago bus out to Rotofugi for some toys with a little more....character.

P.S. - If anyone know what the hell is going on in that picture, please please let me know.

Son, the funny thing about regret is.....

2005-07-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

All right, we've all grown tired of my little pity party - so it's time to get back to the self-important work of blogging! Anybody remember Carol Marin? Anybody? Well, that doesn't matter. What's important is you should never follow in her shoes and go into journalism. Ever. Her words, not mine.

There's an Elephant in the Blog.

2005-07-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

I generally try to avoid the confessional mode of blogging, but let's cut to the chase. As reported in the Sun Times and the Chicago Reader, Odyssey will go off the air on September 30th, 2005. The whole staff at Odyssey is shocked and disappointed by this news. The WBEZ Board of Directors has decided the financial resources needed to produce Odyssey (and a few other programs) can be put to better use elsewhere in the station. I am very proud of our work, and believe strongly in the mission of the show.

I have worked with Gretchen Helfrich on Odyssey since January of 1998. Eight years later, the show is quite different from when it started - but from the very beginning, we shared a vision of the kind of radio we wanted to produce. Bringing that to air was made possible by the addition of a very talented staff - Alison Cuddy, Delia Lloyd, Steve Waranauskas, and Abby Margolis. Today, I believe we produce some of the finest, most interesting radio out there.

Odyssey has made many friends over the years. Most of all, I want to thank everyone who listens to the show. Without you, public radio really is nothing. And thanks to everyone who has been a guest on the show. It still amazes me that people will take time out of their day to help us do our job. I am also very grateful for the support and encouragement provided by WBEZ's President and General Manager, Torey Malatia. Early on, he gave Gretchen and I the freedom to make a lot of mistakes. And throughout Odyssey's run, he has always been a strong supporter of the show. Torey has also turned WBEZ into a hothouse of creative radio - and that makes it a great place to work. And I saved the best for last... Working with Gretchen each day has been a privilege and a pleasure. There is no one more talented in public radio.

What is next for all of us? For me? That is unclear. For now, we are dedicated to enjoying ourselves the best we can over the next three months. Still... this hurts, and I wish it didn't have to come to an end.

Attacks in London

2005-07-07T08:09:00.000-05:00

Details are just coming in this morning. By far, the best coverage I have come across can be found (no surprise) at the BBC website.

Detailed Notes are the New Digital Photographs

2005-07-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

I packed everything for my 4 day vacation. The car looked like I was going away for a month. I had my swimsuit, my frisbee, my flipflops and sunscreen. I had my golf clubs, my ipod, my book and my toothbrush. I had my daughter's backpack, her sidewalk chalk, even her doll's clothes. What I did not bring was my camera. So I am forced to use mere prose to tell you the highlights of my trip.
*On the way there I bought a new American flag for the house at Walmart. Was shocked at how much it cost (19.99!), and I am still not sure whether it was made in the USA.
* I hung out with a dog who was run over by a bulldozer last week and lived to bark about it. Totally serious.
*Sandcastles and softserve ice cream with the little one.
*Didn't read a word of my book.
*Received a call Tuesday morning and was told I needed to be back at work in 3 1/2 hours, and the drive back takes at least 4. I was 15 minutes late. Awwww yeah..... You can't catch me, Fuzz!

A New Companion on your Op-Ed Page.

2005-07-06T07:46:00.000-05:00

These summer days when strawberries are in their prime seem to bring out the kindness in people.

So begins Garrison Keillor's new column in the Op-Ed pages of the Chicago Tribune.

But somebody must have grown these strawberries, and they are at their prime now, and we should enjoy them fully. The ones in September aren't nearly so good.

And so ends what may be the most pointless op-ed article I have ever read. Not much else happens in the 7oo-plus words that appear. There is some vague opposition to same sex marriage, but he seems to think it's an attempt to save money on clothing. So we're left with Keillor's familiar ramblings - minus his silky smooth baritone. There may be a place for this kind of thing on the radio dial (a well-established, immovable, immutable place), but Garrison.... from one radio dude to another, you need to get yourself a blog.

Update! Maybe Keillor's got no time to blog because he's filming a movie based on his radio show.

In other public radio celebrity/op-ed writer news... For the next two weeks, Sarah Vowell will be calling it like she sees it in the NYT.

Vacation is the new blogging.

2005-07-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for me, I'll be spending the long weekend in the small hamlet pictured above. No computers permitted - only frisbee, reading, and wine are allowed. Can't argue with those rules. Happy 4th!

Scotus, it's time you spice up your life.

2005-07-01T21:00:00.000-05:00

The Supreme Court is having the best week ever! VP over at SmallWorld is inviting suggestions on how to better the top rung of our judicial branch. Hey VP, didn't FDR blog about this way back when?

Hey Hey, Sandra Day

2005-07-01T17:37:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for obsessive coverage of events at the Supreme Court, check out SCOTUSblog and its sister site The Supreme Court Nomination Blog.

And in blatant plug news, tune into Odyssey on Tuesday for a panel discussion on all the end-of-term decisions - as well as the O'Connor resignation.

Oh. My. God.

2005-06-29T21:12:00.000-05:00

Google Earth. Get it. Now. Never sleep again. No time to blog. Must get back to google earth.

Learn more.

Pretty Sneaky, Sis.

2005-06-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

Call me crazy…but near the end of last night’s speech, did it sound to you like President Bush implied that anyone who flies an American flag on Monday will be showing support for the war in Iraq? This line made me scream at the television. I wouldn’t say that I bleed red white and blue, but you would hope a man could put up an American flag on the 4^th of July without joining the Republican party or endorsing neo-con policies.

As for the speech – it reeked of political panic. Invoking 9/11 five times to make the case for Iraq is just plain offensive at this point. More thoughtful reaction can be found at Slate, Juan Cole, and a great piece in the Los Angeles Times.

I've got Grokster on my Scotus!

2005-06-27T19:36:00.000-05:00

The last day of the term brought some high profile rulings at the Supreme Court: There were split decisions on two cases dealing with the display of the Ten Commandments, Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper may soon be facing some jail time, expect higher prices for cable internet, and don't blame yourself for those illegal downloads - it was the software that made you do it.

Best Coverage of the Day Award: CNet is all over the Grokster case.
Runner Up: Wonkette. "Supreme Court Swings Both Ways on Hot Church-State Action"

Tim Russert Scores Free Tickets to Live 8

2005-06-26T23:01:00.000-05:00

Guess who followed Donald Rumsfeld on Meet the Press? Make way for Bono! Awwww yeah... Bono went one-on-one with Tim Russert (aka, lil' Big Russ) this morning for a lengthy chat on global poverty, AIDs, Africa, debt relief, and who's a better producer: Brian Eno or Daniel Lanois? U2's frontman is doing the media rounds to promote higher financial commitments to African aid at the upcoming G8 summit in Scotland. I know this is where I am supposed to ironically insult Bono for his save-the-world attitude, but I have to admit the man is damn good at his job (move over Barack, there's a new heart throb in town). Bono has become quite savvy with his politics - and he openly admits that the US cannot and will not be scorned into giving more money. His new plan of attack: Love. He heaped the love on Bush - claiming the President wants to help out, but his advisors just won't let him. It's just so fun and easy to blame Rove.

Big Bird and Armstrong Williams walk into a bar...

2005-06-26T20:31:00.000-05:00

Frank Rich writes about the current attacks on public broadcasting in the NYT Week in Review. His argument: Republicans are not looking to destroy public radio and television - they actually want to subsume them into their media propoganda machine.

In the future, there will be an open bar!

2005-06-24T20:07:00.000-05:00

But your liver will be periodically scanned.

I attended the opening reception for Wired Magazine's NextFest last night. It's billed as a showcase for visionary technology from scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs. There was definitely some cool stuff - a hybrid train locomotive, a robotic arm that changes your records (old skool, meet new skool), and brain fingerprinting. It's a fun event, and I highly recommend it for those of you in Chicago this weekend. My favorite display had to be Paro, a robotic baby harp seal (you heard right). This thing responds to your touch, wiggles around, and basically breaks your heart. Apparently it is designed for human interaction and has been used to reduce anxiety among Japanese elderly. It can recognize sound, so it will learn to respond to any name you give it. Let's just say my cat's job security is in serious jeopardy.

Take My House, Please

2005-06-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

Oh, it's on at the Supreme Court. Decisions are starting to come in fast and furious as we near the end of the term (and the end of Rehnquist?) Today, in a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that the city of New London, CT can seize a residential neighborhood to make way for a new business development. Up to now, legitimate grounds for takings have been limited to more traditional ideas of what constitutes a "public good": bridges, highways, lighthouses, etc. Now, if the city council thinks the tax revenue from a new Walmart would serve the community more than your tree-lined street of family homes, you're out of luck. It's a fascinating case and I've only glanced at the full decision, but it's seems that the conservatives on the bench were in the dissent on this. It's not everyday I get to say, "You go, Scalia!"

Oh, the problems of the first world.

2005-06-23T17:46:00.000-05:00

The New York Times goes for the Pulitzer today with a piece on how to fly in style. You see, it turns out that when you're dressing for that flight to LAX, it might not be smart to be smart looking. You may suffer the indignity of being screened by the TAA. So that Hermes Belt - leave it at home - it's considered a lethal weapon (they told you that outfit would kill, but geez). And your Hugo Boss jacket might get caught in the x-ray machine (no! not my Boss!). Permission has now been granted en masse to dress like a slob on the plane. So next time Grandma waxes nostalgic about how airports used to be filled with ladies and gentlemen, all in their Sunday best - just shove the Gray Lady's Style Section in her face. I dare you.

Scooped!

2005-06-23T17:24:00.000-05:00

For the last few days, I have been suffering from a bad case of blogger's block. Nothing seems blog worthy, and I just can't muster either the wit or wisdom necessary. So as I ate my bowl of cereal this morning, I was delighted to find that the Chicago Tribune came out with their annual list of the 50 Best Magazines. Now what could be a better blog topic? Everybody loves a list. Everybody loves to criticize lists. And the Tribune made some terrible, awful choices. So I get to work and what do I find? Gawker is all over the story. Not only do they rip the list to shreds, but then they diss my home town in the process. Damn... that is so cold. But it gets worse. Salt in the wounds as Gaper's Block quickly blogs about the Gawker post. Now all I've got is a post about a blog about a blog about the list. Man, I got no mojo.