tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213315192024-03-07T18:11:26.370-08:00We Deal in Used FoodDan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-58404862248966499082009-07-31T18:55:00.000-07:002009-07-31T19:00:20.058-07:00BicyclingI've recently re-discovered how much I love bicycling. I started biking to work and fell in love with it. On top of my love of biking, we've also had an amazing and rare summer in Chicago. It's been very mild and very beautiful--- like, every day. Perfect biking weather. Very low humidity, and always in the 70's/80's. Perfecto! It's even helped me lose a little weight. Bonus!<br /><br />Only problem is my bike. It's lost it's biking magic. The pedals are cracked and old= not safe. The spokes on my wheels are rusty... that just feels not safe. My breaks are bad. The gears are kinda rusty/worn. The tires are cracked and leaky.<br /><br />Le sigh.<br /><br />New bikes are so expensive. And who wants to stand in one of those bread lines for a used bike?Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-31357293588828696932008-08-06T20:33:00.000-07:002008-08-06T20:35:31.492-07:0090's music kickMy roommate and I have decided that we're on a 90's-music-only diet. From here on out it's only Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Smashing Pumpkins, Belly, Breeders, Smoking Popes. Sorry to those of you who may have to ride in my car.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-25866357529919192792008-07-21T20:01:00.000-07:002008-07-21T20:28:10.152-07:00I hate to say it but...American Gladiators is the hottest show on TV.<br /><img src="http://www.nbc.com/American_Gladiators/images/season_2/ag_contestants_tim_oliphant.jpg" /><br /><br />and<br /><br /><img src="http://www.nbc.com/American_Gladiators/images/photos/scet/1925/toa_0309.jpg" /><br /> and also<br /><br /><img src="http://www.nbc.com/American_Gladiators/images/photos/scet/1909/rocket_0213.jpg" /><br /><br />TV will never be the same.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-75620160255569565032008-07-06T11:32:00.000-07:002008-07-06T11:33:04.520-07:00When you get knocked down, I guess you just gotta get back up.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-24768373635684933162008-05-06T22:06:00.000-07:002008-05-06T22:09:53.644-07:00I'll admit itI'm a horoscope junkie. Why is it always so in tune with what I'm thinking or feeling that day? My favorite is <a href="http://www.georgianicols.com/daily/">Georgia Nicols</a>, in the Chicago Sun Times. Holiday Mathis, who also is published in the SunTimes is a total hack. Georgia, on the other hand, gives me the exact times of day that it is ok to shop or make important decisions.<br /><br />Most importantly, Georgia has advised me not to speak to most of you, my loving friends. Sorry, it's in the stars folks.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-28503567481343454712008-02-04T22:05:00.000-08:002008-02-04T22:17:51.372-08:00Vote for Clinton, but actually, just voteJust a quick post. I'm voting for Clinton tomorrow. I've decided. It's been a tortured decision. I decided I've been waiting for this for awhile.<br /><br />Ever since Tina Fey said on SNL's Weekend Update in 2000, "When Hillary Clinton was asked if she would consider running for President in 2004 she said, 'Absolutely not, it's not on my agenda.' Which, in Clinton-speak, means 'I will be President in 2004." It made my mouth water. I got excited about the idea of a woman as President.<br /><br />Then the Iraq war came and I fell out of love with her.<br /><br />Then I wanted Al Gore to run. Still kind of bummed that he's not.<br /><br />I started out thinking I was going to be a huge Obama supporter. But he just didn't give me any substance. I thought I would hate Hillary starting out (given her war vote). But what I got from Hill was sharp debate performances, substantive policy and a message that focused on competency and results.<br /><br />Did Bill go too far in his attacks on Obama? Maybe. But this is nothing compared to what will happen during the general election. McCain won't be saying that Obama is like Jesse Jackson, he'll be calling him a rabid Malcom X that wants to eliminate white people from America. The Clinton's attacks are nothing.<br /><br />Ultimately what has solidified my support is a blog post that I read today. I take it very seriously when a candidate actually asks for my vote. Hillary actually asked, explicitly, for LGBT American's votes. She advertises in the Windy City News (Chicago's gay alternative paper). She marches in gay pride parades. There is something about her that makes me think LGBT rights will not be an after thought of her administration.<br /><br />Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we'll wind up with more "don't ask, don't tell." All I can do is vote for what I hope.<br /><br />And what I hope is that Hillary wins, chooses Obama as her running mate (THAT would be a ticket that makes history), grinds up the Republican right wing into a fine powder and snorts it... and then goes back to dancing to Daft Punk in her living room.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/a_message_to_lgbt_americans_i_want_to_be.php">http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/a_message_to_lgbt_americans_i_want_to_be.php </a>Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-83707517298427705162008-02-03T20:01:00.000-08:002008-02-03T20:20:38.036-08:00Romney for Prez because Tom Brady can't win a game.<img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/368930274_c9d3881f84.jpg" /> <br /><cite><small>andreakw from flickr</small></cite><br /><br />So, I made a pre-super bowel deal with my friends that if the Giants won the game, I would vote for Mitt(ens) Romney.<br /><br />What have I gotten myself into?<br /><br />Although, he does have a son named <a href="http://www.myspace.com/taggromney">Tagg</a>.<br /><br />Damn you Tom Brady.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-47638716165198647412008-01-30T22:04:00.000-08:002008-01-30T22:19:49.005-08:00One step closer to my dream of becoming an organ grinder with a monkeyThat's right folks. I finally did it and started taking improv classes as <a href="http://www.iochicago.net">iO</a> (formerly improv olympic). I love it. Honestly.<br /><br />Those who know me or stand near me on the L know that I get a little frustrated with my job from time to time. This has really given me something to look forward to each week. Plus I can get into shows for free-- which is SWEET.<br /><br />The people in my class are great-- funny, talented, and they only make fun of me after class. Which is great.<br /><br />The only thing that makes me sad is that this class will end. And then I'm back into the Bell Jar.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-67651874188396662602008-01-08T21:01:00.000-08:002008-01-08T21:41:26.341-08:00Clinton II: the return to snowy riverShe's baaaack. Thank god. I'm not going to lie, I'm happy. Don't get me wrong, I like Obama. He's inspiring, sure. He's upbeat and has that whole Bobby Kennedy factor. And he's been a Senator for 2 years and people don't hate him that much.<br /><br />I voted for him whole-heartedly in 2004. I went and saw him speak. I cried (like real, Hillary Clinton tears) during his 2004 Democratic Convention speech. Oh the audacity of hope. My heart swoons. He was elected with like 60-some-odd-percent of the vote in Illinois. Huzzah. Go Obama.<br /><br />And then that's the last time anyone heard from him. I'm not saying this to be flip. Didn't he get in fights with John McCain about something stupid? He was on the Daily Show a couple times. He's so hip.<br /><br />The problem is, I just don't feel like he's been an advocate for anything. Where are his big policy initiatives? Where's the long soliloquies on the floor of the Senate about how we're not doing enough for this or that liberal cause? To quote Bill Maher: "Is there a 'there' there that I'm not seeing?" (granted, he was talking about Fred Thompson). He gives great speeches. And he should give more of them. In the Senate.<br /><br />I'm saving my real ire for John Edwards. What a slimy fuck. Sorry to the children reading this blog, because this is about to get ugly. But some of the problems with him, I just can't hold back.<br /><br />First and foremost, John Edwards had his chance to be a powerful voice for change. And he blew it. It was called 2004. Remember? He was the Vice-Presidential candidate. He was the slimy inauthentic half of Kerry-Edwards. He had a chance to stand up and speak truth to power. And his response was to let Dick Cheney say they he'd never met John Edwards before... which was a lie.<br /><br />Nevermind the fact that he lives in a huge mansion. Nevermind that he gets $400 haircuts. Nevermind that he's a rich lawyer. All of those things are nice little chinks in his armor. All you need to know is that he had his chance and he fucked it up. And as a result, we got Bush for 4 more years.<br /><br />That said, I like his wife. I feel bad that she's dying of cancer. That sucks.<br /><br />Much to my surprise, Hillary got a win in New Hampshire tonight. If you didn't know that and you're finding that out from this blog, please don't vote. I won't be able to sleep at night with the thought of your vote counting as much as mine.<br /><br />I like Hillary. I like Hillary mostly because she's such a boogie-woman of the right. They're scared of her and most republicans are afraid of things that are probably good for the common man so I'm probably for whatever she's for.<br /><br />I just hope to god someone stops her from wearing those TJ Maxx jackets she keeps rocking on the campaign trail. Those jackets are tragic. She needs a stronger gay rights agenda and maybe she'll get a decent stylist. She needs to get out of the Von Maur old lady's section.<br /><br /><br />Of course, I don't have a good history of supporting winning candidates. Let's review.<br />2000<br />Initially supported Bill Bradley. Said I would vote for McCain if it came to McCain vs Gore. Wound up voting for Nader, thinking there was no difference between Bush and Gore. Whoops.<br />Voted for Mel Carnahan after his plane went down in a firey crash.<br />First ballot and we're off to a great start.<br /><br />2002:<br />Voted for Jean Carnahan (wife of deceased governor above). She loses. I nearly "lose it" when friend who voted for Al Gore admits she voted for Jim Talent. Piece of me dies inside.<br />But... Gov. Blagojevich is elected in Illinois and Dick Durbin is reelected.<br /><br />2004:<br />Initially wanted Gore to run again.<br />Then a Dean supporter.<br />Then my soul was crushed.<br />Friend who previously voted for Al Gore admits to voting for George W Bush. Soul shrivels up and blows away.<br />PLUSES: Obama elected. Alan Keyes humiliated.<br /><br />2006:<br />Democrats retake congress! Huzzah!<br />Blago reelected and my life actively begins to get worse due to his complete inability to work with any other lawmaker or human being on the face of the earth! (Mark my words Blago: if you do not fund the CTA, I will be calling you every morning for a personal plane ride to work!)<br /><br />And that leads me to 2008. Hillary Clinton. Don't stop thinking about tomorrow. Don't stop. It'll soon be here.<br /><br />Better than before.<br /><br />Celine Dion is her campaign song.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-50444567569407104482007-11-09T22:22:00.000-08:002007-11-10T00:13:07.990-08:00I've been looking so long at these pictures of you...<img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/25550736_b3be099f97.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />Bear with me, this is a long one.<br /><br />Those you know me well know that I'm notoriously bad at keeping in touch. I just never seem to find the time to call, or email, or write. These days, with my 14 hour work days and all, I've had barely enough time to leave sarcastic Myspace/facebook messages for people. This is all very hard for me especially since I value my friendships above nearly all else.<br /><br />On Wednesday I found out some terrible news about someone I don't call or email nearly as much as I should. One of my old roommates from college, Jason, is sick again. Again. Fuck. Again. Cancer. Again. Jason's fight is far from over. And if there is anything that gives me comfort it's knowing that Jason has a lot of fight in him. Cancer is fucking with the wrong person. Not even I could win a fight with Jason.<br /><br />Unfair does not even begin to scratch the surface of how cruel .<br /><br />Jason and I have always had a, (what's the best way to say this?), complicated relationship. Jason might be one of the more aggravating, frustrating, anal retentive, psychotic, hyper organized, obnoxious people I know. He's certainly the only person that I've ever seriously thought about punching (multiple times). I wanted to push him down the stairs one time, too. But we lived together- across the hall from me and as roommates- for four years. All of college. Strange, right? See, where all of my friends had stories about their roommies moving out after a quarter, ditching out on bills, moving in with their boyfriends, roommates that dropped out of college-- I had a completely different experience. We were a team. Five of us. Myself, Jon, Pat, Austin, and Jason. Five people that, in just about any other context, probably would've never spoken to each other. We were all friends because we were thrown into that social experiment called college and lived to tell about it. Together. Every party. Every exam. Every hangover, every 2am trip to Country Kitchen to study. Every breakup. Every success, failure, near miss, depression, celebration, fight and late night conversation. All of it. Every single important moment of my college life involved these four guys. I don't know if there is a way to put in words just how much emotion I have wrapped up in these guys. (If I expand my thoughts to my entire group of friends from college, I nearly have a seizure of emotion.)<br /><br />Jason can (and has) made me crazy but we stayed friends because for everything about Jason that makes me crazy, Jason is a Friend (capital F) of the first-order. Intensely loyal. Stands by his friends and listens like no other. And he makes me laugh like few other people can. And I don't say that lightly. Everything that's great about Jason overcomes any qualms I've ever had with him.<br /><br />When I heard that Jason was sick again, my first thought was to find pictures. It's all I can do. Literally.<br />The thing no one ever talks about is how helpless it is for one of your dearest friends to be sick. You're trapped. You can't say "It'll be ok" because you don't know that it will be. I can't hug him because he's on the other side of the country now. I can't get on a plane and rush to see him because I have no money. I can't defend him from cancer. I can't fix the problem. I'm useless. I'm supposed to be his friend and I can't do a goddamn thing to truly help him. All I can say is "I love you" over and over and over again and hope that he understands everything I'm thinking-- emotions that the English language doesn't seem to have developed words for yet.<br />But a picture. Yes! A picture. That will bring back that wave of nostalgia. When everything was ok. When the worst problem that we had was Jason micromanaging my life as my boss at the student newspaper, me not doing my dishes or deleting my messages from the answering machine.<br />And certainly after four years of bar-hopping, and party going, and party-throwing, and living together there would be a whole album of Jason and I and the rest of the guys. Search as I might, I can't really find any. I need this picture. A concrete image of when we were all together and when everything was ok. The only thing I can find is the picture posted at the beginning of this post. I was hoping for something that didn't look so dour.<br /><br />There was supposed to be a picture of the five of us that were were going to have a photographer friend take. It never happened because we all started fighting with each other as college came to a close. We all went our separate ways and I thought I would never speak to Jason again. I <span style="font-style: italic;">hoped </span>I would never speak to Jason again. Then Jason got sick and I grew up and realized how much I really did care about him. I suppose, in a disgusting way, Jason's illness snapped me back to the real world. It forced us to not be petty.<br /><br />That's the real point here.<br /><br />Nothing in our lives is certain. Literally nothing. Jason runs more in a week than I do in a year. If you were to tell me in college that he would get cancer three times I would've laughed so hard I'd piss my pants and throw up at the same time. We could walk out the door and get hit by a bus. We could catch any number of diseases, get struck by lightning, bitten by a poisonous spider, die from a carbon monoxide leak or get blown up by terrorists. (and I'm a Democrat-- so saying that is difficult.) Our time on Earth is uncertain and is made meaningful by the relationships that we have. Don't hesitate to tell your friends that you love them. Even if it's a guy and you're a guy and you're not gay and he's not gay. Even if it seems weird or uncomfortable. Don't let fights go on for more than an hour. Don't be petty. Don't spend time hating yourself or your friends. Time is too precious.<br /><br />One thing I do know is this: Do yourself a favor, and take pictures, or become friends with someone who takes lots. You never know when someone you love will be on the other side of the country in the fight of their life struggling with something and the only thing you'll be able to do is find an old picture of them and tell them that you love them.<br /><br />I love you, Jason. Cancer may take away a lot of things, but it will never take away your friends.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/263460739_876fd8195a.jpg?v=0" /><br />(sorry to Austin and Jon, I just don' t have a picture of the five of us. Thanks Allison for taking pictures every step of the way)Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-40608509966014308722007-11-05T19:24:00.000-08:002007-11-05T19:26:15.954-08:00so alone...I'm feeling very alone. Maybe that's melodramatic. I work all the time. I haven't dated in (literally) years. Something's gotta change.<br />sigh.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-88375298167858715612007-10-15T19:21:00.000-07:002007-10-15T19:42:28.830-07:00The CTA's sexy leader.The CTA may be circling the drain and the State Legislature might be willing to let Chicago turn into a third-world nation in terms of public transit... but at least we get some eye candy while we wait for the L.<br /><br />Ron Huberman is all kinds of sexy.<br /><br />Seriously. Google his picture.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-86735146019235425062007-10-07T13:33:00.001-07:002007-10-07T13:48:29.927-07:00Go see the Darjeeling Limited.I went and saw the Darjeeling Limited last night. I'm honestly speechless at how much I loved it. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to live in that movie.<br /><br />You just have to see it. I'm not sure, but I might have liked it more than The Royal Tenenbaums. Maybe.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-16595949195565744732007-07-09T19:29:00.000-07:002007-07-09T19:59:00.502-07:00Whoops, I'm a bad blogger.Ok, so a lot has happened since I last blogged.<br /><br />First and foremost, I got a new <a href="http://www.prometheus.com/">job</a>. (I know, I know. There's nothing on the site. It's "under construction.") I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I have days where I love it, days where I hate it, and days somewhere in between. It's definitely made me adjust to "real" agency life. That basically means being willing to work constantly and not complain about it. And we all know how good I am at not complaining. I am definitely developing some new skillz though-- the account I work on gives me a lot of client contact, which is great. It's a difficult balancing act. I came from an agency where I had so much freedom and I loved the people I worked with, but I had no chance of getting a promotion within the next five years. This place is higher stress, less freedom, but a much better chance of getting promoted. We'll see. I'm trying to stay optimistic. Things will be ok no matter what happens, right?<br /><br />In other news, I watched <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot </span>of the <a href="http://www.liveearth.org/">Live Earth</a> concerts online this weekend. There were a lot of pointless performances. A lot of people who just wanted to promote their album and/or tour. But thank god the Pussycat Dolls were there to remind us that this was actually about global warming! Nothing says "switch to compact florescent light bulbs" quite like PCD singing "Buttons" and screaming "are you ready to loosen up my buttons?"<br /><br />In all seriousness, Melissa Etheridge gave what I thought was a very inspired performance. It reminded me a lot of Joan Baez, not that I really know... I'm just guessing that's what Joanie acted like at these kinds of events. If you have time, you can watch her performance below. Yes, it's heavy handed. Yes, it's liberal. Yes, I love it.<br /><br />Sorry, Allison. You don't have to watch.<br /><div><object height="335" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/3tIEPD8Yu4eu1hw0L"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/3tIEPD8Yu4eu1hw0L" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="335" width="425"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2hh5z_melissa-etheridge-imagine-that-wake">Melissa Etheridge "Imagine That" & "Wake Up"</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/virtualmatter">virtualmatter</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></i><br />I know that not everyone will like that. But who <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">doesn't </span></span>like THIS:<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WUCePBspIe4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WUCePBspIe4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />God, that's still a great song.<br /><br />Also, on Saturday, I saw a great live show. He's a comedian named <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=2942117">Kumail Nanjiani</a>. He's a very funny, very talented man. His one man show, "Unpronouncable" is in turns hilarious, heartbreaking and thought provoking. Seriously. It made me realize how much I take everything about my privileged, suburban upbringing for granted. He grew up in Pakistan, where Islam dictates nearly everything about life.<br /><br />It also made me a little depressed/inspired. There's nothing special about him. He's very smart, and funny and witty-- and he certainly has a story to tell. But there's nothing that makes him special or different from the rest of us. I'm not articulating this well. I guess I've just always felt like people who write books or do comedy or write screenplays are "special" people who got "special breaks." And while there is certainly some truth to that, I believe it was Bill Clinton who said "The harder you work, the luckier you get."<br /><br />Here's a great clip of Kumail:<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UAfx4-locHs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UAfx4-locHs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /></div>Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-84083539095446482492007-03-08T20:40:00.000-08:002007-03-08T21:16:12.602-08:00boune that bounce thatOh hello adoring public. I am now 25. woah. Quarter century crisis anyone? I actually think I'm going through a midlife crisis since most people in my family tend to die between the ages of 49 and 65. And since I don't live the healthiest of lives, I'm in trouble. Oh well, it's been a fun ride. Right?<br /><br />I went to Athens, Ohio to celebrate my 25th. All of <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/410987170_894e2aa4c3.jpg?v=0">the usual suspects</a> were there and we had an amazing time. Girl Talk played at <a href="http://www.casanueva.com/">Casa</a> on March 2nd. It was amazing. Lets just say that Girl Talk and I <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/42/410977608_239724d540.jpg?v=0">touched</a> and I was wearing a <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/410944023_a0af1ff5ed.jpg?v=0">wig.</a><br /><br />Oh and I made a new friend, his name is <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/410902974_0fa8532e5c.jpg?v=0">Freddie</a>. Did I mention the<a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/410880861_fabfcfbbd1.jpg?v=0"> hot-tub</a>? Look at what pale midwesterners we are!<br /><br />My birthdays continue to out do themselves, even as I get more and more depressed about how old I am. I even got phone calls from <a href="http://nomorewastedpaper.wordpress.com">friends </a>and familyI have the best friends money can buy, and I could never ask for more.<br />Cheers.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-47349388377016484112007-01-28T21:15:00.000-08:002007-01-28T21:17:26.477-08:00Should I move?I think I might need to move my blog to type pad. Of course, I don't post more often than once a month sooo... maybe it's not worth it. Thoughts?Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-50630393464972959932006-12-23T19:20:00.000-08:002006-12-23T20:05:47.656-08:00The endHello. It's that time of year again to create best-of lists. Here are mine:<br /><br />Music:<br />This is a difficult topic because not every year is a good year. This was a moderately bad year for music.<br />Justin Timberlake- Futersex/Lovesounds: I think Justin proved that as long as he works with the best producers in the biz, he will make fun, dancable, sexxxy songs. This album completely crashes and burns after track 6. Half the album is embarassingly bad. But the first half is so good that I can still put this on the best-of list.<br /><br />Band of Horses- Everything all of the Time: The song "weed party" is so addictively wonderful. I can't even count the number of times I played that song while walking out of work (that is, before my ipod diepoded). Something about the way the guitars come in and the way it magically syncs up with the hustle-a-bustle of Michigan Avenue and the feeling of being done with work for the day, well, that's a feeling that I just can't get from any other song.<br /><br />Thom Yorke- The Eraser: I mean, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Thom Yorke and Radiohead, so he could've just recorded sounds of having diraohea (hopefully my friends understand why it's spelled that way) and I would've loved it. What came out wound up sounding like a brainstorming session for the next Radiohead album, but I still love it. Basically, the important thing I got from this album is that Thom Yorke is very creative, but, something IS lacking without his bandmates. Still, valliant effort.<br /><br />The Fiery Furnaces- Bitter Tea: The song "Waiting to know you" is heartbreakingly good. For the perpetually single, this song is a lay-on-the-floor-and-cry-like-you're-an-angst-ridden-sixteen-year-old. This band is quirky, many of their lyrics are strange and incomprehensible but often sung in a way that communicates exactly what they mean. (If that makes sense)<br /><br />And the best album of the year (as determined by me): THREE WAY TIE!!!!<br />Girl Talk- Night Ripper: I have never danced harder or more enthusiastically. The track titled "Bounce that" is infectious and is stuck in my head forever. forever. and ever. amen.<br /><br />Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood: She sings about the Blue Line. Humboldt park murders. things being easy for pauline. What's not to like? I can't decide what song is my fave. Lately I've been listening to "Maybe Sparrow" and "the needle has landed" a lot. Although, "widow's toast" "that teenage feeling" and "hold on, hold on" have all been on heavy rotation. And if you've never heard her rendition of "this little light of mine" (it's on a different album), it will bring out any poor white trash/hillbilly that might be deep within your genes.<br /><br />Beruit- "gulag orkestar": I hate that these kids are younger than me. and I love that I feel like a gypsy when I listen to this album.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1164686836897164572006-11-27T19:32:00.000-08:002006-11-27T20:07:16.950-08:00WhoopsSo it looks like I get the urge to blog towards the end of the month. Maybe it's my natural cycle.<br /><br />Let's see, not much is new with me. I got a second job at Trader Joe's. Honestly, it's not a bad place to work. But with my full time job and the Trader Joe's, and the lack of a day off, this may have been a mistake. I'll see if I can't rearrange my availability to give myself a day off. Here's to hoping.<br /><br />My good friend, <a href="http://erinmkennedy.blogspot.com">Erin</a>, is making headlines. The Washington Post, the Advocate, The Maneater... she's everywhere! Her amazing Brady Project may actually make a difference on campus. Basically all you need to know is that Brady Commons at Mizzou is named after renowned homophobe/racist T.A. Brady. She's trying to get to school to reconsider it's naming of this building. The argument against it is pretty lame: Brady wasn't the only racist, and we can't rename all the buildings. Which is, of course, pretty lame. The University could rename the buildings if it wanted, but MU has never really cared that much about it's more shameful past moments, and doesn't think it needs to atone for any of it's sins. Ahh, my alma mater.<br /><br />I've been feeling kind of stuck lately. My job(s), my friendships, my future, my relationship status. I'm trying to work on me. And that's always been my cop out so that I wouldn't have to deal with dating/feel bad about myself for being perpetually single. But, as corny as it sounds, my goal right now is to be a person that I would want to date. And I don't just mean that in a physical lose-weight-ya-fatty sense. I want to be a positive, healthy, interesting, funny, financially solvent, attractive (gasp, I said it) person. It will, of course, take work, and I'll have to put myself out there more and actually try, but I think it'll be worth it. At least I hope it will. I'm not getting any younger, and I might as well try to improve myself/my life... right? And as I write this the Rilo Kiley song "the good that won't come out" is playing. Creeeepy.<br /><br />I've also come to understand that people either "get" me or they don't. Most of the people I work with at Trader Joe's "don't." I'm odd, I'll admit it. AndI just have a sense of humor that most people don't get. I'm too cynical, too sarcastic, too sharp-tongued. Hopefully they'll come around. I have met a couple cool people there. But most of the people say things to me like "smile more." That has to stop. I'm working and I'm by no means rude, but I'm also not going to feign some artificial euphoria for no particular reason. For all my complaining, the extra cash has been great. <br /><br />In other news, I got to go to the Morrissey concert last week. It was great. He's not washed up at all. He's still got the moves, the voice, the deadpan self worship/decpriciation... the total package. He is, as most of you know, one of my idols.<br />So far in 2006 I've seen Ricky Martin, Madonna, and Morrissey. Now, if I can manage to see Liza Minnelli before the year's end, I will have collected the last piece of the gay live music amulet... and I'll be immortal!<br /><br />Although, I am planning on seeing Girl Talk on new year's eve... that might be an acceptable substitute.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1161911813062551272006-10-26T18:10:00.000-07:002006-10-26T18:16:53.073-07:00Thanks for the wine, employer.Well, today we had a little send off for a client we will no longer be doing business with. I, being the vulture or left over food and drink that I am, took a barely touched bottle of yellow tail cabernet sauvingnon. Yum! Thanks employer.<br /><br />Things have been kind of blech lately. I got a part time job because I'm brizzoke. And now I'll have money but no time to spend it. Oh well. I'll be working at Trader Joe's! Which will be nice, because I'll have a discount on food that I shouldn't be eating anyway. One particularly snarky coworker reminded me that people are "friendly" there and I am frequently "less than friendly." Whatever, customers can't expect to be treated nicely EVERYWHERE they go. Just kidding. Or am I?<br /><br />I've also been very preoccupied by a long distance crush. Yes, you've read that correctly. Long distance. He lives no where near me, has no plans to move to Chicago, I'm not moving to him. He probably doesn't even like me. But I can't help feeling that there is a connection. I know I'm not giving many details, but it sucks feeling attracted to someone who literally lives in a different world than you.<br /><br />Blech. Such is life.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1159848611747767022006-10-02T20:47:00.000-07:002006-10-02T21:10:11.763-07:00Let's go to the beach tonight, with a bottle of wine.It's been awhile. Whoops. I'm a bad blogger. I'm listening to the Office and blogging now. That's where tonight's title comes from. My love the Office.<br /><br />I've fallen into a hole of work. It just doesn't end. Markets get reassigned, I have to transfer files, update my new records, follow up on old stuff, help other people... blech. Work. I'm strangely invigorated by it, though. Maybe I'm a big dork but I want to succeed at this. I started off not wanting to be in media at all and now I'm kind of hooked. Even though it's repetitive and can get boring and mind numbing, I find it interesting and important in successfully executing an advertising campaign. I think the advertising field is undergoing massive changes and I think <a href="http://www.gsdm.com">GSD&M</a> is trying to stay ahead of the curve on these changes. So, go us!<br /><br />In other, more important news, I went to St. Louis two weeks ago for a wedding. Kim Belcher is now married to Ryan Pepple. They are very cute together and too attractive. And I hate them. Acutally that's a lie, I gave them money.<br /><br />I stayed with Jason, who is now a double cancer survivor. It was great to see him and see him healthy. He's still healthier than I am. He ran a 5k, had breakfast and came back home before I even woke up. So, he's getting back to his old self. Which is great and I'm so proud of him for so fearlessly facing down cancer twice. Here's to Jason being in the clear for good.<br /><br />Speaking of Jason, he came and visited this past weekend. I was working so much and had a cold and did not want to go out. I did see him some, not as much as I wanted to though. Still, it was nice to see a lot of Sweet Pea this month.<br /><br />In bad news, my camera is acting the fool. It won't let me delete any pictures from the memory card or download them to my computer. And I've got some great pics that need to make it to my flickr. I'm sad about it. Hewlp.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1158640089028902222006-09-18T20:42:00.000-07:002006-09-18T21:28:09.066-07:00TV TV TV TV TVWell after spending an entire day of working with TV and radio advertising buys, I went ahead and spent my evening watching the programs I purchased.<br /><br />First up was "the class". I, personally, like this show. The writing needs to get tighter and the romantic tension was pretty stale, but I hope for the best. Many of America's favorite comedies took some getting used to and needed an adjustment period. The chick from "Mean Girls" is the real show stealer. Maybe it's because she's the only character I identified with.<br /><br />Then I started channel surfing. I watched a bit of "How I met your mother" (I think). It had Doogie Howser MD in it so I'm pretty sure that's what I was watching. (Wow, I'm a good media buyer) Mildly entertaining.<br /><br />Then I got sucked in by an amazing episode of Super Nanny. God, I love that show. I can't stop watching it. The kids were awsome. At one point the mom said, "five minutes and you take a bath." The kid's response: "Five minute and you take a dump." These kids could probably write for an NBC comedy and it would be an improvement.<br /><br />Speaking of NBC, I totally spaced and forgot to watch "Studio 60 from the Sunset Strip." I watched the last 1/2 hour of it. The feel is just like West Wing. Big shocker, it's an Aaron Sorkin production. I liked what I saw. I was interested in the characters and interested to see where they take it. I'm still mourning the death of West Wing. Where is President Bartlett? And CJ. Oh CJ, I miss you. My only complaint is that it needs to be funnier. I feel like it wants to be a comedy but doesn't know how.<br /><br />I think a lot of people want comedies. The entire TV landscape is occupied by crime dramas and reality TV. Thankfully only the strong have survived the reality showdown (Super Nanny, Wife Swap, Survivor <gag>, etc).<br /><br />I'm still looking forward to seeing the unveiling of "Six Degrees", "Brothers and Sisters", "Jericho" (because I have had a mini-crush on Skeet Ulrich since "Scream" and his name is Skeet...lil jon is laughing somewhere) and "The Nine." My biggest hopes and dreams are with "30 rock." Anyone who knows me knows my LOVE of SNL. And this show has some of my favorites from my favorite show. Speaking of which, when is Molly Shannon going to get a show? I love Molly Shannon.<br /><br />Of the returning series, it's basically everything I watched last year: Desperate housewives, Grey's, and Law and Order SVU. God I love SVU<br />.<br />To paraphrase myself when I play video games: TV TV TV TV TV TV TV.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1158123762712201632006-09-12T21:40:00.000-07:002006-09-12T22:02:42.726-07:00It was a great street.Well, anyone who's been around me for the past year has probably heard my rants on the death of Marshall Field's, my hate of Macy's, and my vow to do my department store shopping at <a href="http://www.carsons.com">Carson's</a> . There's just something about the way things went down that don't sit right with me.<br /><br />In my fantasy world, Federated, Macy's parent company, would've announced their plans to change Fields to Macy's. Then Chicagoans would've revolted en masse. And people did bitch and eventually protest. The papers would've decried the death of Fields as an assault on the city. Decendents of Marshall Field would've gotten their rich faces in front of every TV camera in the city and fought this. The Mayor (who, I love, even if I shouldn't) would've fought this tooth and nail. Lots of people would've cut up their Macy's cards and mailed them to the CEO of Federated. Federated would've been seen as a hero when they, at the last minute, decide to keep Field's alive, announce their plans to reinvigorate the brand name and make Field's innovative again.<br /><br />Instead, the papers basically rolled out the red carpet for Macy's. Federated was allowed to quote polls that couldn't have been accurate that said people would still shop at Macy's. The Mayor rolled over for Federated when they said they <span style="font-style: italic;">might </span>bring Frango mint production back to Chicago. People mostly shrugged their shoulders and said, I hope they still have the pretty windows at Christmas.<br /><br />There are several things that bother me about this whole deal.<br />1) Marshall Field's State Street is a tourist attraction. People who come in from out of town don't say "Let's go visit the department store on State Street." They go to visit the Marshall Fields on State Street. They go to see the shopping palace, they go to the Walnut Room, to see the Tiffany Ceiling, to get that iconic green bag, and take part in something uniquely Chicago. They've killed the local brand. They've killed the tourist attraction.<br />2) Every place in America is becomming like every place else. Soon, every city will be a choice between getting your groceries at Kroger or Safeway, going out to eat at Chili's or Friday's, your useless stuff from Walmart or Target or, I guess Kmart, and buying your clothes at Macy's or Nordstrom. Not that shopping is the only thing that makes places unique, but let's face it, we're part of a consumer society. A big part of regional identity are the places that we shop at. Marshall Field (along with Sears and Roebuck, Carson-Pirie-Scott, and Montogmery Ward) had a big part in making this city the economic hub it is today. They made this place more than just a stacker or wheat, hog butcher to the world. Sears is in having trouble and who knows how much longer they can hold on, Carson's is abandoning their own iconic State Street Store, and Wards has been gone for several years now. On top of that, last year BankOne (the former 1st Chicago Bank) became Chase. It just seems that everthing these days is getting taken over by New York brand names. Not everyone wants where they live to be like New York. If I wanted New York, I would move to New York.<br />Ok, I'm ranting. Rant done.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danr/238644150/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/82/238644150_7e71067bee_o.gif" width="780" height="72" alt="stripes" /></a><br /><br />In other news, I bought the new Justin Timberlake today. It's soooo good. I'm hooked. And souless. I decided today that I would buy the first CD in more than a year. And I had narrowed it down to the new Beyonce, the new X-tina, JT, or the new TV on the Radio. Considering that I had (illegally? honestly I don't know if it was or not.. I burned it from a friend) downloaded the TV on the Radio awhile ago, that was out of the running, for the time being. And when I got to Best Buy, Justin was only $9.99. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.<br /><br />Ok, time for my Justin to sing me to sleep. He is bringing Sexy back, you know.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1157259467698491502006-09-02T21:57:00.000-07:002006-09-02T21:57:47.713-07:00BoioioioioiongI think I just wet myself a little<br /><br />http://wii.nintendo.com/home.htmlDan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1155004350458943152006-08-07T19:21:00.000-07:002006-08-07T19:32:30.476-07:00My shuffled mix.So this is kind of fun. You open up itunes (or whatever lame player you're using) and hit shuffle and write down the first 10 songs that play.<br /><br />Here's mine:<br />1. "take the fifth" by Spoon<br />2. "Hold on, hold on" Neko Case<br />3. "his truth is marching on " by Mike Doughty<br />4. "Hombre" M.I.A.<br />5. "I" Andrew Bird<br />6. "Fight Test" Flaming Lips<br />7. "True Religion" The duhks<br />8. "Climbing up the walls" radiohead<br />9. "How High the moon" Dianne Reeves<br />10. "Stylin'" Foxxy BrownDan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21331519.post-1154321982539783392006-07-30T21:35:00.000-07:002006-08-05T12:58:17.536-07:00Missouri Loves companyWell, I just got back from my first trip to Columbia in quite some time. It was so strange being back. I, of course, miss all of my friends from there, but it's kind of sad to see that people change. I've always hated change. Even though it's an inevitable part of life, I avoid it at all costs.<br /><br />Needless to say, people change. We move on, we adapt and you can't do much to stop it.<br /><br />In other news, I think I may start looking for a different job soon. I like my employer. I like the work I do but the pay is abysmal. I simply have too much debt and living in the city is too expensive to continue my tenure here much longer.<br /><br />I guess money has been on my mind a lot lately because it's a problem. When I am short on it, it's all I think about. For example, my friend from college is getting married in St. Louis at the end of September. That means I need to get a gift (about $100), a hotel room (who knows how much) and pay for travel ($100 in gas, approx). In order to travel I need to get car repairs (about $800... don't ask). In november I have car insurance due-- that's a lot of money. With my income, I just don't have enough to cover that. I've already told myself that I have to buckle down and not go out, not spend money and make this happen. I can be boring for two months, right? We'll see. I have a terribly hard time saying no to things. Pizza, drinks, concerts, movies, dinner. But I've got to, because I can't keep putting off paying down my debts. Whoever invented credit cards is an evil genious.<br /><br />So about my job, I think I'm going to start looking in PR again. Media is interesting, if a bit dry at times. I'm not sure that I can see myself check post logs and buy specs for the rest of my life. Plus with Tivo threatening the value of broadcast buys, who knows if there will even be media buyers like there are now in 10-15 years.<br /><br />PR was always my passion in college. It's what I wanted to do and somehow I let my desperation for a job threaten that. I brief but important gchat with my friend Julie reminded me that I did, at one point, love PR and thought of work in no other field. Now I just have to find an agency that I can convince that to. Although, I can already think of one place I will not be <a href="http://www.edelman.com">applying</a>.Dan Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17784208897262575102noreply@blogger.com3