I'm almost finished writing. I WILL finish this book before the clock strikes midnight! :-)

In the name of handgun control: a 7-year-old boy was shot in the head by a handgun on Christmas night while inside his house in Chicago.

Just went to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. It's very entertaining. The action sequences are amazing!

"Stop crying, and fight your father."

-- Frank Costanza; celebrating Festivus

Laser Dog

I am laser dog!

Laser Dog

I am laser dog!

"Right now I'm feelin' sexy, want a big, fat p*ssy to spend the night." -- Buster Blood-vessel; Bad Manners' 'Big 5'

"Ridiculousness" w/ Rob Dyrdek is the best new show!

Kim Jong-il (L'il Kim) North Korea's "great leader" has died of "physical and mental over-work." Even his death announcement is propaganda!

GO KANSAS CITY, GO!!!

Hey Republicans: You know that $1 Trillion dollars you're always whining about? One word: IRAQ. You ALL voted for it. You ALL wasted it!

IRAQ: 9 years, $800 Billion dollars, 4500 US soldiers, 100,000 Iraqis. What did we achieve that we couldn't have with a top Navy Seal team?

Okay. "Ridiculousness" is my favorite new show. Rob Dyrdek is hysterical!

Lowes has pulled its ads from "All-American Muslim" cowering to fear & bigotry. Let them know how you feel: 1-800-445-6937 customercare@lowes.com

Robbie Gould just hit a 57 yd field goal with plenty of room to spare! A Bears franchise record!

First it was "Lust for Life", then "Girls on Film." Now "Strangelove" is being used in a TV commercial. Aarrgghh!!

Exciting news: a writing project that I've been working on for a couple of years just got copyright certification! :-)

31 yrs ago I was a freshman in college watching Monday Night Football. I left the room, came back, and Howard Cosell broke the awful news...

I'm watching St. Elmo's Fire. It's sappy I know but back when it came out I related to the characters quite a lot.

Oh dear god: The Bears are anemic without Jay Cutler! :-p

A 13 year old girl was shot last night in Chicago but you probably won't hear much about it. She wasn't a blonde Caucasian.

My geek term-of-the-day: swarm robotics which replaces last weeks term: molten salt. ;-)

Okay, let's try a different approach: Is there anyone who HASN'T had an affair with Herman Cain? ;-)

For those who don't know just how big a body of water Lake Michigan is: they're calling for 15-20 foot waves today!

The Geico gecko has totally jumped the shark! They need a new ad campaign soon.

I changed my iPhone system sounds to sounds from classic video arcade games like Frogger, Pac Man, and Donkey Kong. :-)

Slept late. Long, hot bath. Two long dog walks. No schedule to follow... Sheer bliss!

So glad to be home with my dog on a cold, rainy night. Homemade chili for dinner. Yum.

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street, a photo by caferide on Flickr.

For anyone who cannot figure out what Occupy Wall Street stands for: this picture is a concise summary. If you still don't know, then I suggest that you may need to stop watching Fox "News" and do some reading about world events.

God: I hate the GB Packers!!

I'm off to a flying start: dog walk, groceries, laundry, just made a crock pot of chili and soon will be off to dog beach. Later: Go Bears!

I really dislike companies that take classic christmas songs and change the words to advertise their products. it seems disrespectful.

Will soon be heading to a sunny, but chilly dog beach. Later: night-clubbing! Can't wait!

I really don't like faux-hawks. Just sayin'.

I don't know who's more amazing: Devin Hester or Julius Peppers?!

it's friday night, i'm home watching new episodes of beavis & butthead. omg: it's still so funny i just about coughed up a lung! :-)

It's Friday. I'm vertical & at work for the first time since last Friday! Whatever virus is going around is a real S.O.B.

Day 6. Still home sick. To quote Monty Python: I'm sick & tired of being sick & tired. :-(

Remember: It's national bank transfer day today. Move your money OUT of the big, greedy banks & into a local credit union!

I just got to meet Philipe Cousteau, grandson of legendary ocean explorer Jaques Cousteau. :-)

With all of the occupy movements around the US one question arises: Where are the tea-party folks who are SO concerned w/ freedom & liberty?

Support @OccupyChicago - send feedback to Mayor Emanuel bit.ly/qgFF5r or email his aide at: andres.orellana@ex.cityofchicago.org

Support @OccupyChicago - send feedback to Mayor Emanuel bit.ly/qgFF5r or email his aide at: andres.orellana@ex.cityofchicago.org

Dead umbrellas

the carcasses of umbrellas that dared do battle with Chicago winds!

Dead umbrellas

the carcasses of umbrellas that dared do battle with Chicago winds!

"Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

-- Steve Jobs

nothing like a nice, hot bath to start a Sunday morning. soon it's off to a chilly dog beach for frisbee chasing!

If we're so lame b/c we're old, then why are all the kids into 80's music and coloring their hair purple? (which btw I did in 1984!)

A 13 yr old boy playing basketball, and a 5 yr old boy in his family's car are two of the latest victims of handgun violence in Chicago.

President Obamas motorcade just went past me on the Kennedy expressway!

Went to see punk band last week. Commented on how we used to get dressed up for shows. Friend replies: Now I just want comfortable shoes :-)

GO BEARS!

I went to see X last night. After 30 years, this punk band can still rock harder than most bands half their age! http://xtheband.com/

If you haven't seen "Bridesmaids" w/ Kristen Wiig & Maya Rudolph yet -- rent it. It is hysterical!

Well...at least the Bears don't completely SUCK this week. :-/

Starting off my Saturday w/ a fat-free latte & whole wheat bagel, a hot bath, and a long dog walk. Then: a haircut and a trip to Target.

Now I've heard it all! Ron Paul is condemning President Obama for assassinating an al-Qaida terrorist leader. REALLY? http://yhoo.it/qHe8X1

When your head's too out of whack... step back. Step back.

Canadian Arctic nearly loses ENTIRE ice shelf. But don't worry, there's no such thing as climate change. http://yhoo.it/psAsuM

Another prominent al-Qaida terrorist leader killed by the Obama administration in Yemen! http://yhoo.it/pVXdWb || Who's tough on terrorists?

I'm working hard today on packaging for co-branded H2O Plus/Disney soaps, shampoos, etc. And I'm busy!

The girl's got rhythm. She's got the back seat rhythm.

Who REALLY increased the National Debt? http://ping.fm/dFV72

One of the few good things about the end of summer here in the midwest? Honeycrisp apples are out!

It's just another manic Monday...

Check out the Evanston Green Living festival this weekend: http://ping.fm/8musa

Lead guitarist of The Clash Mick Jones: Why I’m proud to play Don’t Buy The Sun gig - In The Mix Today - News

Lead guitarist of The Clash Mick Jones: Why I’m proud to play Don’t Buy The Sun gig - In The Mix Today - News

Good riddance to "don't ask; don't tell" which ended last night at midnight. Gay & lesbian soldiers will still serve but now -- open & proud

Avast, me hearties! It be Talk Like a Pirate day! http://ping.fm/dIsfJ

I just made my own compilation of The Call, one of the greatest unheard bands from the 1980's, and there were many. R.I.P. Michael Been.

Just back from dog beach, and my almost-9-year-old dog can keep up with all the dogs less than half her age! She's amazing! :-)

Weird term of the day: Cytokine storm. The body unleashes a potentially lethal overreaction to an invading microbe. Whoa!

i've been giving the neighborhood kids "airplane" rides lately. the problem is i get dizzier than they do. ;-p

Never forget the acts of bravery & courage by ordinary Americans that happened 10 years ago today.

My profile pic honors of the people on United Flight 93 who sacrificed their lives 10 years ago for ALL of us. Never forget these HEROES.

My profile picture is a pic the people on United Flight 93 who sacrificed their lives 10 years ago for ALL of us. Never forget these HEROES.

watching a great documentary about the birth of the gay rights movement called "stonewall uprising." highly recommended.

windows open. cool breeze. door slams shut unexpectedly. roxy barks, growls, and races to the door to protect me. that's my girl! :-)

windows open. cool breeze. door slams shut unexpectedly. roxy barks, growls & races to the door to protect me. that's my girl! :-)

I just watched a great program on the History channel about the mission to kill bin Laden. An amazing amount of planning went into the raid!

i'm almost 50 and i just climbed a tree better than a 7 year old. sweet! ;-)

just saw "the guard" w/ brendan gleeson & don cheadle. really funny.

I've got a heart like a wheel... I feel like I've got to roll.

Dog beach? Done. Dishes? Washed. Laundry? In progress. Workout? Soon. Tonight? Grilled fish, couscous, and The Chicago Bears game.

My 8 1/2 year old dog just spent almost two hours battling 4 foot waves & swimming after her frisbee in Lake Michigan. She's amazing!!

Well if you told me you were drowning I would not lend you a hand I've seen your face before my friend but I don't know if you know who I am

This here's the story 'bout Billy Joe & Bobbi Sue... two young lovers with nothin' better to do.

I just ate a whole bunch of chocolate chip cookies and washed 'em down with cold milk. :-D

Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said I'd like to smash every tooth in your head.

A pregnant 17 yr old mother, and a 14 yr old boy riding his bike are Chicago's latest victims of HANDGUN violence. Shameful & obscene!

Well, as expected the Bears are looking anemic. :-p

Saw a sparrow flying with a cicada in his beak. The cicada was buzzing LOUDLY! I could here it 1/2 block away. This bird had his own siren.

Whole grain waffles and a fat-free latte for breakfast. Yum.

A startling 94.5% of potential tablet buyers say they're inclined to buy an iPad, which doesn't bode well for Apple's competitors. :-)

True or False: George W. Bush took the national debt from $5 trillion to $11 trillion?

True.

I just spilled red fruit punch all over my shirt and pants at lunch. Now I have to sit the rest of the day in a big, sticky mess. Blech!

I want you. To want me.

A woman was walking down the street talking very loudly on her cellphone. I yelled out: WHAT?! She lowered her voice & slinked by. :-)

I was giving airplane rides to the neighborhood kids. I spun around so much...I got dizzy! And Roxy really didn't like me doing it either.

So, now that the dust has settled, the Tea baggers were elected, the GOP took over Congress: WHERE ARE THE JOBS YOU PROMISED?!

Someone please explain the epidemic of bicyclists riding on the sidewalk lately. If you're over the age of 12: It's illegal. It's a vehicle.

I'm watching "The Big Lebowski." Again.

I have no idea why but I woke up w/ "Hard Luck Woman" by KISS running thru my head, and now I can't stop humming it! :-)

I walked down a tree-lined street & the cicadas were so loud it was almost deafening. I saw one fly into a hole in the ground -- upside-down

I'm using the remote app on my iPhone to play iTunes on my Mac streaming music via Airport to my Bose radio from my college radio station!

Each & every heart it seems...
Is bounded by a world of dreams.

When I was young love was fun, and I was so happy. I looked so good; I dressed so snappy...

Me and my puppy dog just woke up from a 3 hour nap. Just so peaceful. :-)

Hey Republicans: way to put "country first" and bring the country to the edge of default. Really nice.

I just had a 10 shouting contest w/ my 4 year old neighbor about who was the biggest goofball (or ducy-ubble) as he pronounced it. ;-)

Hispanics, Blacks, & Asians net wealth all declined over 50% during the recession. Whites? Just 16%. But it's just a coincidence, right?

I'm beating the heat with pomegranate popsicles. Yum.

You shut your mouth, how can you say...
I go about things the wrong way. I am human and I need to be loved... just like everybody else does

How hot is it? A squirrel ran in front of Roxy -- Roxy loves chasing squirrels -- and she didn't even make a move towards the squirrel!

Sunset in Chicago

Sunset in Chicago

Sunset in Chicago

Sunset in Chicago

It's 95º + high humidity in Chicago. There's a girl on the corner wearing a miniskirt with knee-high furry Ugg boots. Really?!

Just back from dog beach. Moby's "18" playing; taking warm bath before doing chores.

Why is there such outrage when a cute little white girl is killed but only apathy for the many minority kids who die each day?

Motorcyclist Dies On Ride Protesting Helmet Law In New York

This is sad...and stupid. I have been a motorcycli­st most of my life. I started riding when I was 13 and have always worn a helmet. Not wearing a helmet in this day & age is done out of sheer bravado and machismo. That being said, I DO support other bikers rights NOT to wear a helmet if they choose not to. However they should have to carry enough insurance so that if anything catastroph­ic happens, no one else will be financiall­y burdened by their choice.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I'm watching Jackass 3-D. It's funny but not for the squeamish... even the cameraman is puking in this movie! :-)

2nd homemade fat-free latte; working from home; Roxy laying at my feet; listening to Yello. Life today is good!

Big power outage in Evanston after a storm blew thru. It's candles, wine, and partially melted orange sherbet right now. :-)

I'm pretty sure I just saw John Cusack zoom by on a 3-wheeled motorcycle. He is from Evanston -- my current city.

Boys and dog

Here's Roxy with a couple of her neighborhood pals.

Boys and dog

Here's Roxy with a couple of her neighborhood pals.

I'll be heading out to the Scottish Highland Games today to enjoy some free scotch and sunshine! :-)

It's a beautiful day. I just rollerbladed around the Northwestern campus. Now, Roxy & me are heading to dog beach. :-)

Whoa baby, oh no...
You make me lose my self-control!

Chicago yesterday: 95º. Today? 50º. Remind me again why we stay here?!

Today I explored the Pioneer Square & Capitol Hill neighborhoods in Seattle and went to the top of the Space Needle.

Today I explored the Belltown, Wallingford, Freemont, and the U-District neighborhoods in Seattle.

Pretty cool: I'm checking in from a jet w/ WiFi, somewhere 35,000 ft. over the western US. Technology rules!

Cut Medicare/Medicaid, education, parks & recreation, infrastructure, space exploration. Combined they ≠ the WASTE in the defense budget!

T-minus 3 days and counting before I return to Seattle where I lived from 1991 to 1993.

This morning a bagel, latte and long dog walk. Then a long bath. Next, some writing and a trip to dog beach. Now, lunch and errands. Nice.

I just replaced the hard drive in my Apple iMac. Yes!

For Memorial Day I remember: My wonderful grandparents, my uncle Stan, my childhood friend Chris, and my college love Julie.

I just watched "Smokey & The Bandit". It's still a fun movie. ;-)

Ratko Mladic, former Bosnian Serb general accused of planning the massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men & boys has been caught! Never forget!

Right here, right now. There is no other place I want to be. Right here, right now. Watching the world wake up from history.

If you don't eat your meat...you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!

With all the problems & opportunities for change what does our Congress decide is important? Whether or not Lance Armstrong used steroids!!

Heavy fog rolling in off of the lake tonight. And, for some reason -- it smells like cheeseburgers.

A lady in a clue dress just rode by on a bicycle, Wind shooting up her sleeves made her look like a big blueberry,

My friends in CA & WA will recognize this term: burn-off. We're experiencing it right now. It's unusual for Chicago.

Saw Echo & The Bunnymen last night. Very disappointing show: bad lighting, bad sound, and Ian McCulloch blathered incoherently between songs

Chicago looks & feels like I'm on the deck of a lobster fishing boat in the north-Atlantic ocean right now!

Chicago: Don't like the weather? Wait 5 minutes. 9:00 am temperature: 72º. 11:00 am temperature: 58º. Tonight: mid-40's!

Chicago: If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. 9:00 am: 72 degrees. 11:00 am: 58 degrees. Tonight: mid-40's!

Chicago: Don't like the weather? Wait 5 minutes. 9:00 am: 72º. 11:00 am: 58º. Tonight? mid-40's!

FACT: Americans today pay the smallest % of their income for taxes since the 1950's! And still the republicant's scream bloody murder.

So, now that the mission of hunting down bin Laden is completed, the troops can all come home. Right?!

I just heard that Donald Trump is demanding to see Osama bin Laden's official death certificate. ;-)

Congratulations to US Special Forces & President Obama for eliminating 9/11 mastermind bin Laden & getting justice for the victims families!

My back seized up at dog beach. I went down to My knees & needed help getting up. Yeow!

My neighborhood smells like roasted garlic thanks to one of the Asian restaurants. Even in the morning -- it smells glorious. :-)

Dog in the sun

Here's Roxy laying in the sun after a day at dog beach.

Slept late. Dog kiss on nose as wake-up call. Bagel w/ soy cream cheese & latte now. Hot bath soon. Later: dog beach and grocery shopping.

It's a beautiful world we live in; a sweet romantic place. Beautiful people everywhere, the way they comb their hair.

She had hair like Jeannie Shrimpton back in 1965...

I went to see "Cedar Rapids" last weekend (Ed Helms, John C. Reily). It's laugh-out-loud hysterical. :-)

"The Tillman Story" about how our government lied about NFL star's death to sell the war to US public. Great movie about an amazing family!

I watched a great documentary about the Civil War. The soldiers referred to visiting a brothel as getting some "horizontal refreshment". :-)

It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust.
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust.

Congratulations to Dennis Rodman for being elected to the NBA Hall of Fame! Best rebounder ever!

Happy April Fools Day! ;-)

This is a test from Seesmic: http://bit.ly/fNG8yb

I was just thinking about all the great record labels of the 80's: IRS, Tommy Boy, Rough Trade, SST, Stiff... did I forget any?

BACK TO THE FUTURE: March 28, 1979: Reactor Meltdown at Three Mile Island. March 28, 2011 Reactor Meltdown at Fukushima, Japan.

Hey girl with fat thighs & mini skirt: didn't you notice other women cringing as they walked by you? At least you were wearing tights! :-p

Does anyone still believe that nuclear power is safe? Just an FYI: solar farms don't melt down; wind turbines don't leak radiation.

Hang the DJ...because the music that they constantly play, says nothing to me about my life.

I like "springing forward" with time. Now, when I take Roxy for a walk after work there will still be some daylight left.

Rant du jour: Ladies: enough already with the stupid "fireman" boots. They were kinda cute 3 years ago, but it's SO played!

Signs of spring: Robins are chirping; trees have buds on them; and I've seen the first flowering plants poking through the ground.

I just had a brilliant thought: Palin/Sheen 2012. This time, let's go completely nuts. What do you think? ;-)

Is it a law that says all 20-somethings in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood must own a black wool coat? Riding the CTA is like a funeral!

Today. The good? I started working out again. :-) The bad? My car got broken into. Goodbye radar detector. :-(

"If a double-decker bus, crashes into us... to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die".

The Smiths

Busy day today. No holiday. But...it's almost over. And, I've very glad to be at a busy ad agency right now!

Dave Duerson Dead: Former Bears Star Dies At 50

It's a shame that people feel the need to use this to promote their own issues like violence in profession­al sports. This story is sad because those of us in Chicago knew what a great player DD was and what a good person he seemed to be off the field. The 1985 team that DD played on meant SO much to a city that hadn't had a world championsh­ip in decades. We adopted them as our own and DD was a big part of that team. I only hope that this was somehow natural causes rather than foul play or self-infli­cted. Best wishes to his family & friends.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Repubs want to cut funding for teachers, police, food inspectors but keep subsidies for uber-rich oil companies. Didn't we try this already?

Lara Logan Suffered 'Brutal' Sexual Assault In Egypt

Well put. After the repeated attacks on Anderson Cooper and others, I'm surprised that all news organizati­ons didn't pull back. That being said, no one forces reporters to rush into dangerous situations­. They accept the risks as part of the job. Neverthele­ss, it is deplorable­.
About CBS
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Banksy Pops Up In Los Angeles Again

I love Banksy's work. I've been a fan since I first discovered him in 2004. I'm very happy to see that he's doing new work in the US. My one request: Banksy, please come to Chicago.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Alarm bell on Brown line train has been ringing for 15 minutes straight! Aaaagggghhhh!

I'm waiting until enough people in the US get fed up enough with the status quo that they'll take to the streets like Egypt. Now: I wait.

"I choo-choo-choose you"

-- Ralph Wiggum

Support WikiLeaks. Check out their new online store with shirts, stickers, etc: http://ping.fm/L2CO5

Jon Kyl Won't Seek Reelection In 2012

THANK GOD!!!



Not a moment too soon!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Newt Gingrich CPAC Speech: EPA Should Be Scrapped

Newt's got it all wrong: He's the one who should be tossed on the ash pile of history!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Tosh.0 is the funniest s.o.b. I've seen in a long time!

Ten Bands That Shook The World

I don't know this for sure, but I suspect the author of this article is a baby boomer. Eight of the ten bands he cites are from the classic, baby boomer era. They're all great bands -- I love The Who and The Beatles as much as the next person. But having been fed a steady diet of baby boomer music my whole life, I'd argue that The Clash or The Sex Pistols or The Talking Heads, REM, etc. are also worthy of inclusion. And that's only scratching the surface of the 1980's. What about the 1990's and beyond???
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Chicago
Yesterday: The Big Snow.
Today: The Big Dig.
Tomorrow: The Big Chill.

I got another snow day tomorrow. Woo hoo!

Definition of major snowstorm? Just saw a big snow plow stuck in snow bank!

If this monumental blizzard is coming up from the southwest, then why are the clouds moving FROM the northeast? Something's not right here!

Did anyone notice that in "The Social Network" the guy who played the head of IT @ Harvard was the guy who played Ernie on "My Three Sons"?

First Egypt shut down their Internet to quell protests. Tomorrow they're shutting down the cellphone networks!

PETA's Controversial New Super Bowl Ad (VIDEO/NSFW)

I think this is in poor taste (no pun intended) considerin­g the serious message that PETA stands for. Will it turn heads? Yes. Will it generate controvers­y? Definitely­. But will that controvers­y then lead to winning over converts who will then help bolster PETA's important campaigns? Highly doubtful.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Well, it's official: I got a new job!!! It's a full time Senior Production gig with a Euro-based ad agency opening a new Chicago office. :-D

I'm listening to The Itals, a great unknown reggae group, getting ready to head to the forest preserve with the dogs! :-)

I'm watching COPS on TV. One guy just called another guy a "privacy rapist". Huh?

I just scored tickets for Echo & The Bunnymen May 17, at The Vic in Chicago. They're playing Crocodiles & Heaven Up Here in their entirety!!

I'm watching an awesome documentary on PBS about the Apollo space program.

OMG: Guy who made 270-degree U-turn in front of me; made me crash into him, fired his lawyer in court this a.m. b/c he wants more $. Really?

Please: No one mention the "B" word to me until next August! :-(

Rachel Maddow, Bill Maher React To Olbermann Leaving MSNBC (VIDEO)

Much like Michael Moore's "TV Nation" and Bill Maher's "Political­ly Incorrect ", Keith Olbermann'­s "Countdown­" was probably far too smart for "regular" television­. I'm sure Keith will land on his feet and has a very bright future ahead of him. I look forward to watching his next show, on a different channel!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Come on down cheese-heads. We're waiting for ya!

Seahawks Lynch at halftime: 3 rushes for 2 yards. Oh yeah: he's a beast all right. LOL!

Ouch! The Bears are spanking the Seahawks 21-0!

Grocery shopping? Done. Dog walk? Done. Laundry? In progress. Next up: Chicago Bears playoff victory! Go Bears!

Going to see "The Green Hornet" this afternoon. Psyched!

Raise your hands: Who's happy it's Friday?!

New James Bond Film: 'Bond 23' Announced

Awesome. "Quantum of Solace" was one of THE best Bond movies EVER!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I just had myself a couple of Cherry Tootsie Pops. Yummer!

"Stuck in the Middle with You", "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line". R.I.P. Gerry Rafferty.

A truly amazing actor, who you probably never heard of, passed away today: Pete Postlethwaite. See him in "Brassed Off". He was amazing.

INTERCEPTION! Peanut Tillman!

Bears score first. Yes!!

Go Bears! One more game; one more win. Then it's on to the playoffs!!

It was just 1:11 on 1-1-11. Cool.