Jingle Off

My bar, I love that I refer to it as mine in that possive "I own it" kind of way, is having a jingle contest in two weeks. You can find full rules here but the quick and dirty version is create a 30 or 60 second jingle, submit it by May 8th then come back to see who wins May 9th. I really hope a bunch of people participate because it could be a ton of fun.

Getting by with a little help from friends since the government can be basically worthless

I am damn lucky when it comes to certain things, specifically such things as having a job and not having to interact with the majority of Chicago, Cook County, or Illinois government agencies. I bitch and moan about a lot of other things in my life but let me just say for the record here that I am really, really glad I don't have to deal with that in my life.

I was reminded of this when catching up with my blog posts from friends and enemies this morning (every once in awhile I like to take the temperature of those not like me in the world and see what they're all bitching about. It doesn't happen often). On the friend side I saw this post from impending unemployment. What a cluster fuck. While reading it, it reminded me of a post from a ways back from Rock Rock Silly. I went and dug through the archives and found the one I think I was thinking of. Not the same institution but equally as frustrating.

In these times navigating the bureaucracy is frustrating, difficult, time consuming and often leads one to drink (I would imagine). As one that does not have to traverse these murky waters yet (and hopefully not anytime soon) I would like to send out my shoulders for leaning on to all my friends that do.

A tiny little book update to start your weekend

I just went to my own blog page and saw that it still says I'm reading Heart Shaped Box, which by the way I finished what feels like ages ago. Yet instead of going to the layout or settings or whatever back end section of this thing I go to to update these things I decided to write a blog post about it. Hmmm. Not the most efficient use of time, but too late now.

So I've finished Heart Shaped Box so long ago I don't think I can give an accurate review. I do remember liking it, good little horror story with an interesting premise. Guy obsessed with death orders a suit online and a ghost comes along with it. The tale that spins out of it is intriguing, enough to make me read it pretty quick if I remember right.

Since then I've knocked back a bunch of others but since sadly I haven't been keeping track here on this blog so I can't really remember what. I know I did read Enrique's Journey which was fantastic and I think everyone should go out and get it now. In fact I think it should be required reading in high school as well. Who really needs more Brave New World anyway?

I also knocked back a bunch of comic books on a recent bus trip to Madtown. Including Marvel 1602 and the third volume of Buffy.

Right now I'm reading World War Z. And I'm freaking loving it! I've seen it around a bunch on the train and in coffee shops and finally broke down and bought my own copy a few weeks ago (only to realize later that boyfriend owns it and I could of totally borrowed his, ah well I've now done my part to help keep bookstores open). If you haven't had a chance to read it yet I highly recommend it. Just now googling it to get a link I saw an IMDB link that says it's being made into a movie! That should be interesting.

So that's what I've got for today. It's a gorgeous day in the windy city and I hope wherever you are you get a chance to get outside and enjoy. My final thought for the day (totally unrelated to books) is a line from a blog post from a friend because some day I also hope to be "a woman so magnetic she fucks up compasses"
Cheers world.



All links brought to you today by sources other than Amazon

A few great ways to give back

I am swamped at work and in life lately and I apologize for my disappearing act. I did however want to jump on real quick and share a bunch of great opportunities to take part in some pretty kick ass fundraising/events all over the country.

First up my dear friend Tim is having his annual fundraiser dinner for GSA for Safe Schools. Located in Madison, WI (yay home!), GSA works tirelessly to help create a safe education environment for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression all throughout the state. I can testify to the many, many road trips Tim has taken to connect with students and staff all over to help make sure no district is left without help. If you're in the area consider buying a ticket (they had a great silent auction the year I went), if you're not going to be around Wisconsin then just consider making a contribution. They do good work.

Next is for my friend Matt who is participating in the Race for Hope in Washington DC. It's a 5K run to benefit both the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. Matt's goal looks to be $200 - there is no way we can't knock that out of the park!

Steve here in Chicago is participating in the MS Walk. His goal is $500 and being already half way there I know he can do it. The walk is May 3rd (same as Matt's run, what a busy day!), so hurry up and go check out his page!

And last but not least, I have to put my own shout out in. I'm selling raffle tickets for one of the most kick ass raffle's I've seen - probably 10 prize packages each valued at over $1,000 each usually! Tickets can be bought here. Just make to sure to say I told you about the raffle in the comments section so I can claim credit in our staff competition :)

So whatever you're interested in, and whatever you can afford I hope you will be able to support at least one of these extremely worthy causes. Okay, back to work (so that the raffle here actually happens!)

Calling all readers smarter than me

So I have an idea. And I'm going to need help with this idea. Someone out there who reads this must have the knowledge that I don't so I'm putting it out there to see what you guys come up with. Here it goes.

I want to make a video or more appropriately a flash animation segment. Now since I know nothing about this I am probably going to use all the wrong words but follow me if you can. The vision I have of the end product would be a short video/flash product with voice over narration. The graphics would consist of stick figure drawings flipping quickly to show movement, kind of like those old flip book comics. Make sense?

So what I need is A) someone to help draw the pictures. B) someone who knows how to then put them together in this animated sequence. C) someone who knows how to then get this baby online. and D) someone who can help me get the audio narration.

Any ideas?